I'm reaching out for some help. I purchased a used 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO.
The speedometer and odometer are not working, the AWD will not light and the front hubs
will not engage in either forward or reverse leaving me with only rear wheel drive.

I have already changed the wire from the speedometer to the front hub so that's not the issue.
I'm was wondering if anyone has any insight on what I could try next before I spend the $260 for a new speedometer that
I'm not even sure is the problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

There is a speed sensing proximity detector on the right front wheel that will give you all these symtoms if it dies. It cost me $100 (C). But it is easy to chnage and did the fix.

Good Luck
Ebel

 

Went through 2 new speedos and currently on the 3rd sensor, but it seems to be working reliably now.

I'd try the sensor first, but be prepared to replace both.

 

The speed sensor on the right front wheel has nothing to do with the 4WD. Check out this post: http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/510987.cfm

PAPolaris, I live West of Pitts and can help you with this if you need it. Where do you live?

 

Well there's some type of sensor up front that we've had go bad multiple times that coincided with failed awd operation and speedometer operation as well. Dealer did all the changes, so we didn't get much in the way of details.

 

The wire I have changed from the speedometer to the front hub was the speed sensor. 3 prong on the one end and the sensor on the other that fits into the front hub? Is this what you?ve changed mad dog?

Freedom, I live about an hour north of Pgh. I?m really thinking of changing the speedometer next. In your other post you mention about the bypass of the speedometer. Are you saying to cut the brown/white wire and tie it into the brown ground wire from the 6 prong thread that comes into the speedometer? Will this get the AWD working again? I doubt it will get the speedometer or odometer working huh?

Thanks guys for your input

 

Normally when the Hall sensor (or speed sensor) goes bad your AWD light will still come on and your 4x4 will still work. the Speedo just doesnt work. If all things are failing, get a new speedometer.

 

Also, I am getting 11.47 volts off of the brown/white wire. Really making me think it's all in that speedometer.

 

PAPolaris, first of all I live East of Pgh, I replied to your post from a hotel room in Dayton Ohio last night and was West of Pgh at that time, it was a long day.

The brown/white wire (wire E) on the speedometer is where the AWG system get the ground to make it work. 12 volts on this wire would be normal with the AWG system on and the 6 prong plug removed.

You can "test" the AWG system by bypassing the speedometer. Remove the 6 prong plug and use a straighten paper clip to slide the brown/white wire out of the 6 prong plug. Put the 6 prong plug back on the speedometer and tie the brown/white wire to ground. If the AWG system works you can leave the speedometer bypass, just be careful when you turn on the AWD switch.

I would also test the other wires going into the speedometer before I replaced it.

 

Thanks Freedom, sounds like you have a lot of experience in dealing with these types of issues. Thanks.

I?ll try bypassing the speedometer and see if the AWD does work. If it does, can I just keep running like this or do I need to replace the speedometer?