I've posted in the past about an issue with my AWD system (2002 Polaris Sportsman 400) that I thought I had resolved by changing the hub fluid but we're having a beautiful snow fall today so I was out plowing and fooling around and only my right front wheel was spinning when the AWD was engaged and I was losing traction.

Any ideas or suggestions. I do have a service manual but I'm not sure how far I am able/willing to go it on my own.

Will I harm it by continuing to drive it as is? Advice is sought and welcome!!

 

it wont harm it. but if i was you i would take the front rack off and the little hood. check all of your electric connections. if they are all hooked up then you probably need a new speedometer.

 

Thanks for the feedback but forgive my ingnorance but what would the speedometer have to do with the left front hub not engaging in AWD? I'm curious.

 

youre not ignorant. its a very common question. on a sportsman the speedometer is the computer. it manages all of the functions of the entire quad. the rev limiter and the four wheel drive control are in the speedometer. it tells the front wheels to lock in when the rear tires spin faster.

 

Okay that makes sense - now mine doesn't have the digital speedometer - it's analog. Would that matter? Someone before mentioned that it could be the Hillard Clutch. Even though this is a 2002, I bought it used 3 months ago with only 94 miles on it so it's had relatively little use which may or may not mean anything.

 

canuckPT: I would agree with brainiac213 that is could be an electrical issue. You were in a wet condition. Does the problem persist once it dries out?

 

Try to check the electrical first. Then go into the hub. with only 94 miles on it I would start with the electrical.

 

Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone. With respect to how it has behaved before I can't be certain - this is the 1st time I've been able to say with absolute certainty that I was actually engaging the front wheels as before I had only used it on dirt - not even mud. I was having issues when I would back up with the handle bars cutting to one side when it felt as though one of the hubs wasn't unlocking.

 

Well I got the rack and "hood" off today and had a look at the rats nest. I have a Clymer manual and it has a pretty good electrical schematic and I was hoping I found a slightly loose connection to the front AWD system but alas..... no luck. I don't know - I guess I'll just have to haul it into the dealer and cross my fingers.

 

Hey Brainiac - it's only been like 10 months but I wanted to let you know that you were right. I finally got around to taking my Sportsman 400 4X4 in to have the AWD problem looked at and you were right - it was the speedometer. She's up and running fine - I was skidding some maple out of the woods today and it was working!

The dealership had it for 4 weeks before they finally figured it out and got the right part. I wished I had remembered your suggestion at the time. Would have saved me some $$$ as the tech was dicking around and Polaris finally got him on the right track.

Thanks again - I thought you'd appreciate knowing that you were bang on with your diagnosis!

Damon