Hey guys I have searched the Web high and low and can not seem to find any help with an issue I'm having with my 2003 sportsman HO 500. My AWD was not working so first thing I did was replace the speedo with brand new oem cluster not cheap. Now the issue I'm having is the speedo only reads reserve no matter wich postion the gear lever is in. I thought the gear postion switch was bad so I have replaced it with a new oem part and still no matter what gear it is in the speedo reads R for reverse. Where do I start looking now as I'm at a loss

 

If you replaced the right switch and no difference,then you need to trace the wires especially the purple wire on up from the switch.Plus a simple unpluging the speedo connector and plugging back in may help reset the speedo.

 

ok I will track the wiring down from gear position sensor to the speedo, I was hoping I was overlooking something simple

 

Is there any electronic service manual out there for the 2003 Polaris Sportsman HO 500 I can download

 

5 bucks for this one.2003 Polaris Sportsman 500 Service Manual PDF Download

 

I have tracked all the wiring looks good, I sparky electrical contact cleaner in most of the electrical connection, still no luck

 

Here is the gear position switch i eeplaced with brand new oem part

 

You must have a 2004 model as this style of switch didn't come out until the 2004 AQ model according to the parts lists. Anyway if the switch is installed right,the switch shaft turns when you shift gears,then it's still either a connector pin or wiring problem.You're just going to have to pull the loom back and ohm the wires since you said you checked them for damage.The purple/violet shown is the reverse wire. Possibility it could be the speedo itself hanging up,but not normally on a gear indicator position problem.

 

Thanks Old Polaris tech, I think u nailed it. I purchased this atv and the sticker on the front of the plastic is faded and almost gone all I can see is 2003 and assumed it was a 2003 model. When looking up the parts I could only find sportsman HO 500 made in 2003 on the parts site but I did notice I could not find the gear postion switch on 2003 model I had to reach part # on switch when I ordered it. You were correct when I looked up a 2004 model sportsman 500 I found the gear position switch and unfortunately the speedo part# is different for 2003 and 2004 models. I have ordered a 2004 model cluster and hopefully my problem with the gear position on the cluster will work correctly, this is going to be an expensive repair

 

Hope the new speedo solves the problem.At least one good thing is that you have a later model than you thought..