I'm having an electrical problem with my 2002 Sportsman 500. The neutral indicator light and electric starter do not function when the quad is shifted into neutral. The starter works normally when quad is shifted into high or low range. I checked all the wiring and connections but found nothing.
Wiring diagrams are greek to me and Polaris has a strange way of grounding things together back in the pod rather than to the frame. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

sounds like the switch on the transmission is bad. i beleive its the rear switch. ran into this problem at the shop before.

 

Thanks Ghost.
I pulled the switch off and checked continuity in the 3 positions. It seems to operate correctly as drawn on the wiring diagram. Any other ideas?
To clarify, here's the problem:
High or low range - everything works
Neutral or reverse - no starter, no indicator light, no speedo light
Anybody else had this problem?
Thanks

 

I have a similar problem. When I shift into reverse the engine stalls. When in neutral the neutral light gets really bright and the headlights go dim and bright and repeats. Then I can't start it again till I move the headlight and or starter switch back and forth. My quad is an Explorer, 2001

 

Must be some "Wizards of Wiring" out there.
My local Polaris dealer is just awful and the next closest is a 2 hour drive away, so I would really appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks

 

Hey 1Bullmoose, I see we are fellow Albertans. Where abouts are you from? I live in Sylvan Lake. This electrical problem ran my battery down. I heard from someone that my problem could be the switch in the transmissiion. They had similar problems.

 

Lusty,

The problem with yours is the reverse override switch. You need that whole assembly. My brother inlaws sp600 did the same exact thing. Me being a mechanis checked all the wires and switches in the whole machine. I came to the conclusion that the switch assembly was bad. He then replace it and it has worked fine ever since.
One thing you can try is hold the switch in and then put it in reverse. See if it dies or not.

 

You are right about holding the button down while in reverse, it does not die on me. I discovered this soon after the problem. I didn't think it was the switch. when you say whole assembly, what exactly do you mean?

 

Also, can a guy bi-pass the switch? lusty

 

I don't know if you do this ,but it sure makes a big differance,WD-40 all mechanical and electrical parts after a ride or wash, and every so often unplug connectors and spray them as well. I won't say this will cure all problems but I know first hand it will reduce them.