How do I engage 4WD on my 2000 Cat 500 auto? Sorry for my ignorance

 

Not sure, but I've got a '99 500 4x4 manual, and it's full time 4x4. I know in that era they started having selectable 2wd or 4wd, so I can't speak for your '00 500 auto.

 

if you don't have a full time 500 then you will have a lever/rod that you push in on the right fender. It may be on the left but i think back then it was on the right b/c i had a 99 300 with selectable 4wd. If there is no lever then it must be full time 4wd but you may be able to buy the kit to make it selectable 2wd/4wd. my uncle bought a 2001 250 that was full time and bought the kit for 80.00 dollars to lock it in or out.

 

but it doesn't act like it is in 4WD, so I think there must be selectable.

 

mudslinginfool, do you know if that kit is still available? I'd love to be able to use 2wd on my 500, maybe the steering would be lighter.

GoFastCat, just because it doesn't really act like it's in 4wd doesn't mean it's not in 4wd. My 500 doesn't really act like many other 4x4s. Best way to tell is to put in on a lift and see if all 4 wheels spin.

 

Pudamobile, i'm not sure if they do or not. You would first have to see if the transfercase has the little *** with small splines sticking out the side of it. This is what the kit will connect to. I dont know if they ALL were 4wd/2wd ready.

Gofastcat,do as pudamobile said if all spin your good then. If not,see if the drive shaft is spinning to the front end when you give it gas. If it not spinning then something is broke from the transmission/motor.
If it does spin but the tires are not,then something is broke from the end of the drive shaft to the wheels. This could be just a u joint that broke in a rubber boot to a possabilty of the gearing in the diff being broke,maybe,hopefully something more simple though. i just cant remember how that was set up back then.

 

ok, Thanks, I'll try that, but do most Arctic cats front wheel not spin when stuck?

 

in that year,you will only have one wheel spin. Even stuck in low gear both rear wheels and one of the front wheels will and should spin. There was no locking differential then. Usually the wheel you need to spin will not and the other will. With that type of 4wd system, power transfers back and forth to each front wheel. It makes it easier to steer.

 

Yeah mine doesn't do that, I figured out why, too. One of the shafts from the differential isn't connected to the hub. Wouldn't that disable the whole front wheel power? I tested it, and it doesn't work (both wheels). I could post a pic of the problem. I think I will have to take it to the shop...

 

I would say thats probably your problem then. keep us posted.