Hey guys

I have a 2004 polaris sportsman 500 HO. The other day I got stuck in mud, spun a bit in forward and then in reverse using the override button. I suddenly realized that my speedometer was dead and my awd stopped working. Battery is new and I have hardly done any trails with it yet.

Is this as easy as getting a new speedometer?
Is something causing this problem that it will burn out the new one?

It's as if I have unplugged the speedometer cluster....it's completely dead.

I just finished restoring it over the winter so I would rather not do any bypasses on the speedometer.

Thanks in advance!

 

Unplug the harness and check that have you power to the red(memory wire). Plug it back in a see if the speedo works. If it doesn't then probably dead.One forum member repaired their spedo,not sure on how you'd feel tackling something like this.AWD and Speedometer don't work - Page 2 - ATVConnection.com ATV Enthusiast Community

 

if it turns out you need a speedometer I have a brand new in the box

 

I posted a video of it. Someone might catch something I'm not maybe.


https://youtu.be/MckWaHr_NU8

 

The two connectors below the pod are correct for the power and grounds for the awd as well as the single black connector,the kill wire for the cdi module. What's not normal is the spliced wires at the bottom and also coming from the handle bar controls.. Heated grips? If so that shouldn't blow out the speedo,but one connection on top looks like it's just twisted together and bare wire showing that could short things out if it touches the frame? But again speedos could go out with wiring in perfect condition.

 

I've done all tests in and out of the Haynes manual......think the next step is to order a speedometer.

 

keep us updated,hope that fixes you up..

 

Sure hope so!

I'll keep everyone posted and try to post a video of I can.

Thanks for the help!

 

So I did all diagnostics per the Haynes manual. Speedo is definitely dead.
I want to enjoy the summer without spending 500$ on an atv that I paid 1500$ so what I did to tie me over until I find a used Speedo is the following:

Take the speedo hood off
Remove both plugs
Poke the brown/white out of the 6 prong plug
Ground it
Put it back together
Presto! Awd works without speedometer.
This is a temp fix for me but it definitely works.....been riding on awd everyday this past week.
Hope that helps anyone that may lose their speedometer on muddy terrain......perfect way to get you home

 

Bypassing the speedo on the brown/white wire to the sold brown or ground is what a lot of people have done when speedos have gone south so they could at least have awd. Stupid idea to run the ground path through one any way. Glad it's at least going to get you by for awhile.Plus another method on the older hub style system when people encountered awd problems was caused by faulty grounds and going to a common ground on the small hub coil wires solved this for a lot of people.