2011 polaris sportsman winch install

indybear54 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 12:42 PM

I just brought home my 2011 Sportsman 500 yesterday and right away went to install the 2500 Polaris winch. Problem is I can't seem to find any of the corresponding connector plugs on the bike. Instructions say there should be a white plug from the main harness under the light that the winch controller plugs into...the one there doesn't match the controller plug. Then instructions - which are more directed toward an XP install - say there should be a harness plug at the rear of the bike near the battery for the contactor....there isnt. All that's there is a single wire with a terminal end on it. I already called the dealer back and confirmed this is the right winch for the bike and then called the service dept for a little direction and was told they would check with a tech and call back. After two calls they have not responded...Any help would be appreciated. Thx

Roger Mac · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 02:47 PM

I have a 2011 XP 850 the winch I installed was plug and play. sounds like they gave you some funny directions.

**Bruce!** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 04:40 PM

Welcome to the board!

North Branch · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indybear54

I just brought home my 2011 Sportsman 500 yesterday and right away went to install the 2500 Polaris winch. Problem is I can't seem to find any of the corresponding connector plugs on the bike. Instructions say there should be a white plug from the main harness under the light that the winch controller plugs into...the one there doesn't match the controller plug. Then instructions - which are more directed toward an XP install - say there should be a harness plug at the rear of the bike near the battery for the contactor....there isnt. All that's there is a single wire with a terminal end on it. I already called the dealer back and confirmed this is the right winch for the bike and then called the service dept for a little direction and was told they would check with a tech and call back. After two calls they have not responded...Any help would be appreciated. Thx

Call your dealer one more time... and leave a message if you have to. Ask him if you need to call Polaris to get the correct information... maybe that will get his ass in gear.

phil · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 05:44 PM

Maybe they gave you the wrong winch kit?

Cbus500 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 03:35 PM

Anyone figure this out? I'm having the exact same issue. Instructions do say 2011 Sportsman 500. The winch mounts up fine, but none of the wiring is matching up to the instructions.

**blueline15** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 03:51 PM

Wow, i see what you guys mean. I pulled the insturctions up and it is all geared towards the XP, even though it says it fits the sportsman. Wiring is pretty easy, i have done a few dozen of these winch installs, tell me where you are, and where exactly you are stuck at?

Cbus500 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 03:59 PM

Step 14. It says to plug in the white connector to a connector in the main harness. Also there should be a single wire with a female end to connect the single wire with the male spade. I cannot locate the connector or the single wire to connect the rocker switch wires.

Cbus500 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 04:02 PM

Also on Step 9. It says to locate the front end of the 6 gauge blue/yellow pre-wire harness located behind the radiator. The pre-wires on mine are red/black and they were zip tied in front of the radiator. They don't reach across to attach to the winch.

**blueline15** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-15-2010, 04:18 PM

First, i just realized something. The 2011's are the new body style, so i havent done a winch install on this machine yet. But it should be similar to the 05-10 sportsmans.

In step 14, with that spaded single wires. Is the wire male end coming from the handle bar winch control switch? Is it an orange wire?

In step 9, completely ignore what they just said. Have you found the location to mount the contactor yet? The red/black wires will go to the contactor, not the winch. Did your winch kit come with a set of yellow/blue wires in the kit, not installed on your machine?