Must Watch Video For Polaris ATV Owners

Bypassing the Reverse Override Button on a Polaris ATV. If you ever tried to plow snow with a Polaris ATV then you know how annoying the reverse rev limiter is. In this video I show you how I bypassed the button. I used a diode to keep the reverse light working properly. This job is fairly easy to do and inexpensive. If you are a Safety Sally this is not for you. Please no crying about safety in the comments.

[@clinthemphill]

You described the problem all of us with Polaris/snowplows are frustrated with! They need a sort of toggle switch rather than just a compression because it is annoying as hell. Great video!

[@TheCarolinacadmanOutdoors]

Great video sir. I did this mod to my 2000 325 magnum and it worked perfectly.

[@dwightbrooks2437]

Wow very cool, just bought one of these with a plow for the winter and just as you said it's a pain to deal with. Thanks for the video!

[@robertmintz63]

Very good , well done! Now to help, once you have tested your diode paint mark it , so you know which end is which, then even if you fumble it in assembly, you will not have to test it again, or end up putting it in wrong !

[@rjwellz]

Thanks very much for this bud 🍺 Worked perfect on a 2006 scrambler! Ordered some 1N4001 1.0A diodes off Amazon done deal works mint.

[@jonschutt565]

I also use mine for plowing and yes I understand the frustration with the overdrive button lol. Will b doing this to mine great instructional video. No body has videos on this model

[@814boys47]

Cool dude yeah I do the same thing

[@floobertuber]

I used to have a '96 Magnum 425, mostly used for plowing in winter. The reverse limiter was a useless PITA for me. I just hot-glued it down and wrapped around it with a cable tie as reinforcement. It ran that way for 20 years! Easy fix (OK, fine, more of a "hack" than a fix, lol) if you don't mind the "R" light being on all the time (which, as I recall, I believe it was). After beating it to death plowing for 20 winters, I replaced it with a '16 Sportsman 450 HO EPS. That obnoxious switch is gone and it "just works as you'd expect" in reverse. Thank heaven. Now if only hadn't replaced the old-style, easily accessed oil dipstick ... with a stumpy, buried little thing you can't reach, turn, or remove & reinsert easily... Ugh! OR READ worth a damn, since it's black plastic. WTF, design engineers.

[@marsdenbalaska784]

Very cool video,Mudford!My 99' Sportsman is apart at present time but soon,it should be back together and I may include your improvement to my bike!

[@trevorpolcaro1420]

had my guy do the bypass a few years back but don,t have 4 wheel drive when backing up. but rev limiter is bypassed. but still have to push button to have 4 wheel in reverse. does yours have 4 wheel in reverse with out pushing button???

[@jnstealth]

Trevor Polcaro I was asking a related question. What your quad has done is just cut the I believe green wire that sends signal to the limited from the override switch so no signal is sent regardless of button press or not. The easier way to take off the limiter for reverse, but doesn't address the fact that 4wd is only active in reverse while the override switch is pressed. That's why he did what he did here in the video to fix both issues. I originally wondered why you wouldn't just do it how your is, but the diagram shows why.

[@mattstapleton2470]

Excellent video. Learned a lot watching this. Where do you buy diodes and what kind to get?

[@kr00k3d100]

If you don't have any ordinary diodes lying around, or any that will work for 12v, you can use a 12v LED instead. For those who don't know, LED's are "Light Emitting Diodes". It will serve the same purpose. It will just light up when power is going through it.

[@brianking7155]

I considered this but it seems it would be simpler to add a single pole double throw latching switch. That way you don’t have to hold your finger on the button but still retain the intended safety system.

[@adamr8628]

Could someone explain why there needs to be a button to allow All wheel drive in reverse? What was the intended purpose? I understand the part about a throttle limiter in reverse. I guess I don't really understand the wiring schematic enough to know what is happening but if someone could sort of break it down step by step of what is happening and why this button is necessary , I would appreciate it. For some reason it's causing my brain to lock up a little bit. Haha

[@donfowler7292]

I done this and it works great except I don't have 4x4 in reverse

[@jeremywood61]

You can also unplug the the reverse switch on gearcase. It has no clue it's in reverse. Doesn't effect 4x4 stays engaged.

[@marshallkendo7095]

Great idea .....How do i find it?

[@jeremywood61]

@@marshallkendo7095 I had a 90 Polaris 400 trail 4x4 the override drove me nuts so I traced the wires and started unplugging one at a time till I found the gearcase plug

[@ericaberge7343]

@@jeremywood61 which gearcase, front or rear?

[@jeremywood61]

@@ericaberge7343 the main gear case the engine drives. It's chain to front and rear differential.

[@Nex._kat]

I have a 2001 sportsman. And my 4x4 does not engage when I am driving straight forward but when I turn to the left or right the 4x4 engages. I am thinking I have a short somewhere and I am not sure where to start looking

[@4kdemoscene]

On my 2014 800 EFI you press the backup switch to go slower in reverse.Did they change something? It doesn't work going forward, it for reverse only. (Oh well that's Polarass for youm get a Honda, they are reliable. (Saves you $1000s in the end)

[@bushmechanix9893]

I have a 1998 polaris sportsman 500 , mine is a bit different but i used a diode as well and it works great much better for plowing .... well done great idea , i was gonna use a relay but his is much quicker. Have you had any issues long term with the diode?

[@ronaldrosie8468]

what diode should i order? no idea what to get

[@travissmith5605]

I've got a 97 500 been sitting awhile got it running had lights and fan for rad working now I don't have either no headlights low/hi and no tail light/brake. the rad fan stopped working already bypassed the thermal switch any ideas

[@bubcooper1395]

Taking black wire off rev limiter won't do the same thing? My 96 4x4 400 Xployer starts missing while pushing snow and won't shut off with key or run button. Any ideas on how to fix this? After a short time sometimes while ideling it will just start running right!

[@snakeriverdrywall]

I have same quad, it has sat for a couple years and wont start, electrically and pull start. Can it just be so dead it wont start ( pull start) or something else? It ran fine when parked

[@Mudford]

Chris I would try using a test plug to check for spark first. Usually when something sits for along time the carb needs cleaned out though.

[@tiktokfavedave]

I have 300 xplorer I can't go into reverse almost at all unless I hit over ride?? Is there a way to fix that with out doing this.. it bogs down as soon as I put it in reverse if I rev it up I go back crazy slow

[@weechitamex]

Mudford Garage : thank you for this video Sir . on your electrical diagram , is this a manual ? what brand is that ?

[@Mudford]

It’s a Polaris manual. I got it online from a Polaris technician.

[@carolynjones7981]

i have a 2006 Artic Cat 500 took left side off my shifting lever came off need to how to set it

[@polayer4040]

Hey, excellent video. I have different kind of awd problem. I can't seem to turn off awd. My spedo constantly shows that awd is engaged but the switch is in the off position. When in on position the indicator does not light up. All wheels are spinning.. I bought this thing used and don't know what the previous owner did to it. Can anyone shed some light on what I should be looking for ? Thanks in advance.

[@Mudford]

I would recommend getting the factory Polaris repair manual for your model and year. They are priceless if you plan on working on it yourself, especially the wiring diagrams.

[@zaccbr92901]

So I have watched the video and I understand what needs to be done , but I have 04 sportsman 500 and my wires aren't the same as what wiring diagram says should be at the switch. Any Help would be greatly appreciated.

[@michaelzalewski9417]

Same for my 2004 Sportsman 400

[@nathaliereynoso4094]

hi ist normal for the check engine to appear when you want to start

[@GetsumJ]

Both of mine always has 4WD in reverse. So either they changed the 2018s, or this is a workaround that is not really needed.

[@Mudford]

GetsumJ Do your quads have a reverse override button? If so, have you ever tried to back up faster than idling without pushing the reverse override button?

[@GetsumJ]

Yes sir they do and I can back-up all the way up to 5k without the over-ride. I have used it getting out of mud from being stupid, but seriously, if you need to use it, have someone pull you out. You're in too deep.

[@Mudford]

All of the Polaris quads I've seen will only go super slow in reverse without pushing the override. Maybe they finally wised up and changed it. It is a real pain when you are snow plowing.

[@floobertuber]

My current quad is a 2016 Sportsman 425 HO EPS, and I don't have an override button either anymore. One of the best improvements vs the '96 Magnum I used to have. That button was annoying as F.

[@SJ-up2zr]

Just bought a 98 explorer 300.Some of my indicator lights on the small console are unreadable.Can anyone tell me which one is what?Thanks in advance.

[@c.1355]

Very nice video. Can somebody tell me where i can get the schematics from?

[@Mudford]

I got the shop manual for mine (with wiring schematics) in pdf format from a guy on a Polaris forum. Maybe try asking around in a Polaris forum?

[@gingy02]

Can this mod work for the newer sportsman such as the 07 500? My override button also changes the hours/mileage/rpm on my cluster.

[@Mudford]

gingy02 Sorry, I have no idea. My stuff is all old. I don’t have any quads that new.

[@briankrall9769]

1995 Polaris what if you can't get the phone to go in the four wheel drive to go forward and four wheel drive you only have two wheel drive

[@travis1816]

My 2004 trail blazer on has reverse when the shifter is in reverse and the button held down? When button isn’t pushed there is no reverse at all?

[@Mudford]

Travis Adams It will only go very slow if the button isn't pushed, no matter how hard you press on the throttle. It's really a pain if you plow snow.

[@MechanicForGMCCars]

Hello sir I have unusual problem engine is magnetised or arcing some where and I can not finde fault. Me car is Opel Ascona C 1.3l engine carbureted 1985model year. The trothel cabel is magnetised it pulls on the carburetor cabel Im not shure if multipel relays leaked the car behaves like dual 5pin relays are present even tought me relays are different types, 2pin buzzer,3pin blinker,4pin defroster and 6pin wiper relay all share common ground and positive paths. I did notice I have xenon bulbs with out ballast resistor or circuet but car run that way for years sudenly problem acured the engine spin out of control if head lights are on or if I remove blow by hose and the metaluc air filter housing not tuching trothel cabel it stops doing that odd effect. It is wurth to mention I do have positive linear voltage regulator inside me dashboard and it does not have diode for delco 12si alternator I use only pin1 on the alternator and oddly enough GM build the wire harnest to the 4pin relay precisely pin 86 is split wire conected before field wire goes dash-relay86-alternator fiel . I do have dual filament brake light bulbs,and I do have 4pin gm ignition module. So basicaly Im not shure where that static comes from honestly? I do not get shock in the past I did but those were seperate events. I did hade unusual problem with tge blinker relay it behaved like a buzz coil when hazard all 4 lights are turned on the engine pulses in union with the blinker relay I found the cause was rear bulb holder ground leading to chassys was corroded and me black momentary thin wire from ignition key started to burn also was curiuse how that was posibel. But for now Im mostly interested to know what cause's the car to self acelerate I can basicaly plug all relays out only blinker must be presend devices work normali more or less I also can put potenciometer to xenon bulbs or use diodes on relays or alternator but still what if it does not work? What shuld I do ? I did take of even horn to see if it might cause buzzing . And yes me baterry get drained faster If I put in reverse gear or hande brake on . So Im confused realy all me relays shuld have integrated diodes so please if you know about me mentioned relays write on what pins I shuld put diodes and what value for ich relay type. I realy hoppe for some help.

[@onamrivas8528]

My Polaris magnum 325 when i go to reverse it stops but when I press the button it lets me

[@peterwink297]

I’ve never been used the reverse override on my atv. When I plow I almost always kill my battery. Could this be the reason I’m killing my battery?

[@Mudford]

Peter Wink No, this just lets you go faster in reverse without pushing the override button. I assume you use a winch to lift your plow. That is pretty taxing on the small charging system that quads have. I would check to make sure both your charging system and battery are in good shape.

[@jonschutt565]

Mudford, I have the 2stroke 400 sportsman exactly like yours. I'm missing the cover for dash lights between choke lever and key. What is between N and R. Also to the right of R. Liked and subscribed.

[@Mudford]

Jon Schutt I’m not going to have a chance to check on the lights for you for awhile. If I were you I’d do a search on the Polaris forums. I was able to get the service manual as a pdf from someone on that forum. Very helpful!

[@kr00k3d100]

Old comment but if you're still wondering: I believe it goes "Hot" (overheat light) "Neutral" "HighBeam" "Reverse" then "4x4" in order from left to right. The light between your neutral and reverse lights should be your high beam indicator light. (turns on when your high beams are on) And the far right, or right side of your reverse light, should be your 4x4 light. (the one that turns on when your 4x4 switch is on)

[@albertbelsito6027]

Are they the same wires for 2007??

[@jacobgray3510]

In the video you installed a diode. What size diode did you use?

[@mattstapleton2470]

Yes, please explain the diode

[@bluntforce7891]

I no this is old and won't get a answer but is your 4x4 still work in reverse because u only went forward .. so dose it still work in reverse

[@Mudford]

bluntforce Yes, 4X4 still works in reverse.

[@antoniosteel2774]

can you be more clear on which end of the diode goes to the purple wire the negative or the positive?thx

[@Mudford]

Antonio Steel Positive end goes on purple, negative on gray/white.

[@antoniosteel2774]

thank you so much, have you had any issues since the modification?

[@Mudford]

Antonio Steel No, and it’s been much easier snowplowing.

[@antoniosteel2774]

great tip,, you are awesome.how tight do you keep the chain on it? have you ever adjusted it?

[@Mudford]

Thanks. I’ve been horrible about the chain. I haven’t touched it once. I really need to check the tension and condition of it. I would recommend getting the factory service manual if you plan on working on it yourself. Don’t waste your money on Haynes or Clymber.

[@joeduttry5248]

Does your AWD still work without pushing the button?

[@Mudford]

Joe Duttry yes, AWD works fine in reverse. No need to ever push the Reverse Override button again.

[@joeduttry5248]

Mudford. Music to my ears!

[@joeduttry5248]

Bypass done. Appreciate the video!

[@ajmclaughlin7273]

My 4wheel drive wount got to two wheel drive what could b problem

[@williamreid1798]

@@ajmclaughlin7273 did you fix your issue. Im having the same issue. Did awd bypass and now its all time 4x4

[@Pimpy6.6]

I have to push the button in forward and reverse

[@Twoholesofman]

You have a different issue that is easily fixed by unplugging a wire, I can't remember what it is exactly, but you should be able to find what your issue is and how to fix it pretty easily, happened to me when I first got my 2000 Sportsman 500 4x4.

[@joeduttry5248]

What type and amperage diode did you use?

[@Mudford]

Joe Duttry sorry, but I can't remember. I pulled off the plastic to look, but I couldn't read the number because of the heat shrink.

[@joeduttry5248]

OK. I'm gonna start with a 1 amp. See if I need bigger.

[@jayme4749]

Did you ever figure out what amperage diode is needed. Just found this video and really want to do this

[@maxbell4131]

Hi is a used 2000 polaris sportsman 500 a good starter atv?

[@Mudford]

Max Bell It can be. Depends on how old the person is, how big, and what they want a quad for (riding, work, racing, etc)

[@maxbell4131]

@@Mudford im 15. I've never riden a quad before. I'm about 5'5 170 pounds. And I want it to just have fun and ride around

[@daltonmcclure3304]

Do you have to use a diode to do this or can you just connect the wires?

[@Mudford]

If you don’t use a diode, your reverse light will be on all the time.

[@daltonmcclure3304]

@@Mudford oh okay thank you!

[@Jmaypointer]

what size diode do i need?

[@Mudford]

I don’t remember what size exactly, sorry. I got a few from a co-worker for some different projects. I just used one that was good for 12V, I don’t know what the current (amp) rating was. I don’t think it needs to be too big.

[@davidbusby7609]

Test

[@tincanforacup2745]

Just push it down and stick duck tape on it......

[@gabegiguere3964]

Ubever hit the throttle in rev. And fly forward and peg the fuel. Shit show

[@Mudford]

Fortunately, I haven’t. I mostly use it for retrieving deer and snow plowing. So I don’t put a lot of miles on it.

[@RLEESTUDIO]

Scotch Locks? AN OPEN FLAME NEXT TO A GAS TANK? 1 gallon equal to 6 sticks of dynamite... Very stupid... Sorry. Lucky your alive