Well, got new switch, $130.00 + tax canadian (ouch)., anyway, installed it into shift selector assembly after having cleaned all parts of assembly and adding new oil, mounted assembly into bike, wired to board, turn key on,

neutral light = o.k.,
shift in reverse = O.K.,
press AWD button & override button while in reverse = O.K.,

shift into forward with AWD button engaged = ....PROBLEM _ NO LITE

push a little on shifter AWD lite goes on., disconnected shift link rods from transmission to see if mis-adjusted arms, no change therefore problem in shifter assembly... Took shift assembly out of bike again, took apart, noticed that the detent bullets that hold the shift sliders are very worn, thereby allowing the shifter handle to be out of its centered position, and not holding the shift selector switch at the right spot to allow power to flow through to my AWD switch....will have to go to dealer again for detent bullets, springs, and might as well get a new cup bearing while there.... I guess that with the constant shifting from forward to reverse and back I do so often with the bike due to the blower in winter and with the mower in summer for the last 6 or 7 yrs is finally catching up.....

Just letting you guys know about some of my findings....

Honcho....

 

Thanks for the update Honcho, glad you got it figured out. Mudchucker, it is true for all models, including your 97. They all use the Hilliard set-up.