My '99 Scrambler 400 lost 4 wheel drive today. The light on the switch as well as the lights to indicate neutral and reverse went out. This happened about the same time that my son drove it through a deep mudpuddle going pretty fast. The belt got went and I suspect something else in the system associated with the 4x4 system got wet as well. What do you think it is and what should I check first. Thanks.

Matt

 

Sounds electrical to me. Take it in if its not something you can find yourself. With all the lights and stuff, it sounds like its definitely in the electrical system.

 

The wiring to the front hubs may have become disenguaged.

 

Mayham,
one thing to NOT over look is your key ring.[too many things attached to it and it will bump all these things to off]]I had the exact same thing happen to both my 99 Sportsman and my 00 Xplorer,occasionally,each time when I turn the front handlebars side to side,the key ring had hit the fuel cap ''just enough'' to knock out all my pod lights and disable the AWD system,the engine will still run to.Make sure that the key is COMPLETELY turned on.===Bill

 

Polaris should move that key switch. I was on a Magnum that kept killing. Finaly figured out when you turned right the key chain hit the tank and killed the engine.

 

If all else fails check out the wire junction block under the headlight. You have to take off the front carrier, and probably the plastic cover under it, but it is there. The junctions could have come loose or shorted out. I would check the keyswitch first, though.

One more thing, does it crank? My buddy had a Magnum & somehow the battery went bad all at once & he lost all the lights, the 4wd, plus the reverse override. All worked after a new battery (it also took a couple new light bulbs as he drove it this way for a while). It ran just fine with the dead battery, but would not crank, no lights (they had power, just a surge burnt them out), not 4wd, and no override. Hope this helps.

Farmr

PS please be patient with my answers as I spent too much time in school & still have the nasty habit of answering questions in way too much detail like the instructors wanted us to.