Can anyone explain THIS one? I have a 1999 Scrambler 400 4x4. To make it make it more comfortable for a tall rider I installed a set of Rox Risers to raise the handlebars. The speedmeter housing would no longer fit, so until I could fabricate some kind of new mount, I simply disconnected the speedometer and left it off. A few days later, at a fairly inconvenient moment, I discovered I had no 4x4. The "AWD" no longer lit up on the handlebars but there WAS power to the positive side of the connector going to the electromagnets in the hubs. After a little head scratching I discovered that there was no ground to this electromagnet connector. I traced the wiring back and it went to the connectors to the speedometer! So just to test it, I plugged the speedo back in and the 4x4 work perfectly. So evidentally, the 4x4 is grounded through the speedo. But does that make any sense? Isn't the speedo an option? What do those without one do? It is easy enough to run a temporary ground until I get a new mount made for the speedometer, but that still seems goofy to me. Anyone else seen this, or is mine unique?

 

Your issue is normal. If you think it's complicated and silly on your machine, you should see what happens when you un-plug ANY portion of a Sportsman harnass.My educated Polaris guess is that there are two separate link methods between odometer, and no odometer, as is typical with polaris option variations. If I undo that damned annoying light in my sportsman odometer my quad won't even start, much less engage 4x4. Probably your over-ride button vamped as well, or if you hit it thats the only way you'll get 4x4. We like playing ATV hide-and-go-seek in the forest in our area, and that stupid backlight gets me found every time!!! I know, Iknow...Hide-And-go-seek? Yup, I'm 41 years old and still playing like an idiot but, you have to try it some time with the folks you ride with...it's great! A few hydros and we play all night sometimes! Found myself hiding in the white river a few times...didn't realize it until I splashed!

 

Hey, I'm glad to hear there are more self proclaimed idiots out there. I'll act sane when I'm too old to stay on top of my 4 wheeler and jetskiis! In the woods, at night, with no lights....... yeah, that sounds like the dumbest thing I've ever heard of - I gotta try it!

I'm also glad to hear my Scrambler hasn't got a major wiring problem. It may be that the ones without a speedo have something stuck on there that shorts the connector to ground.

You are also right about the override button. I've got a backup light installed and when I press the override button it comes on, no matter what gear its in.

Thanks for your reply.