Is there a way to get the 4x4 working with a broken speedometer on a 2000 Sportsman 500?

 

did think the speedo even was a factor on the older style bikes like yours. i was thinking one of the brown wires on the plug end is the one that controls the awd in the speedo but not 100% sure.

 

I think 1999 - 2004 are the same in the way the 4x4 works (engagement on the wheels/hubs). I think the speedo is wired into the 4x4 system.

 

My speedo is broke and I had to cut a wire going to it in order to get the 4wd to work.

 

I will be grounding out the brown and white wire like all the posts explain. Heck with buying another speedo for $300.

 

The speedo became involved in the operation of the AWD in 2000 so your in there. I have never done it but there is a easy by pass of the speedo to get your awd back. I would use the search option of this site to find a detailed post about it.

I,m with you ,if my speedo quit working I would not buy one for $300 and would just by pass it also.

 

Brown wire w/white stripe needs to be connected to the all brown wire. This was based off of a wiring diagram & old posts for a '99-04, but it also worked on my '05 sportsman 400 that had a hell of a lot more wires on the speedo plug than the older models.

Just make sure you only hit that switch when you are already WOT stuck in the mud.........................

Kidding! Don't do that! Be careful because now that switch can cause some damage. Only hit it when fully stopped, as in wheels NOT moving.

 

What will it hurt leaving the switch on al the time? The 4X4 kicks in when the rear wheels slip so nothing will be damaged unless the swith is off and turned on while moving. Leaving it on will prevent damage by kicking in at a high speed.

 

You can leave it in awd all the time, but it takes the fun of power sliding around corners away. It does not hurt to switch to awd while on the fly as long as the rear wheels are not spinning due to lose of traction.

 

That makes since.