Tether Switch Installation

[nytroxtx17]

I removed the roll over valve and wanted to add the safety tether as added insurance; (even though the roll over valve doesn’t do anything if your sled is still running on its side - it’s really a simple check valve -Lol). Also as a note the tether is the same one as the Viper, and the kit was purchased in Ontario.

I consider myself to be pretty mechanically inclined, but this job really tested my patience so I’m hoping I can help make it easier for the rest of you who decide to install a tether. It took me about 3hrs with a trip to Canadian Tire to do the job.

Steps I went through:
1. Remove side covers, top hood, and seat.
2. Remove the torx screws that hold the lower center panel (pc around gas tank filler neck and foot wells)
3. Unplug the wire harness that goes up into the handlebars, this is the one you will be swapping wires with
4. Go to Canadian Tire and buy small needle nose, both a straight and one with a 45 degree angle, they came in a set of three.
5. Insert the pliers into the windows of the center white pc of plastic in the connector and pull up. This is not easy and requires some patience and the right pliers. The 45 degree angle nose pliers worked for me. Do not remove the white pc, it comes up about a half inch and the terminal ends are still exposed when done properly.
6. Use a large safety pin or a paper clip with 1mm wire and insert it in the small round hole below the terminal (3rd pin over for the red/violet wire per the instructions). The Safety pin I found worked better as the wire is less likely to bend (spring wire)
7. Push the safety pin into the hole using some pliers until the terminal releases and pushes out. You do not push on the terminal itself. ( I did that and bent it....thank goodness it straightened out)
8. Once you have the wire terminal released on the large connector, you have to do the exact same thing on the small two wire connector that comes with the kit (even though the instructions say nothing about this). I found that I couldn’t use pliers to pull up on the white plastic pc, so I used a 45 degree tool shown in the picture to pull up on it and it worked.
9. Make sure you have both connectors with the white plastic pc up before you start inserting the wires. The wires go in only one way and are tricky to insert. I inserted and pulled them out 2-3 times before they went in properly. You will hear a click when the wire terminal is inserted properly and the terminal end will be even in height with the rest.
10. Next push down on the white plastic pcs in both connectors to finish the wire swap
11. Drill a hole in the plastic with a 0.5” drill bit per the instructions and install the switch. Install it somewhere on the center pc that does not remove with the hood or side panels. Connecting the tether wires is a bit tricky, the connectors look like they don’t fit but play around for a bit and you will figure out that they do work and one fits very very tight, to the point you are ready to take it back.... !!
12. Follow the rest of the instructions to finish up

Any questions let me know

Cheers

 

[BTP]

That's not the Tether I used on my Cat. Mine used a plug on left side of sled. Drilled hole plugged in plug and done. That looks like the old tether for the 1100T.

The new version is magnetic.

 

[nytroxtx17]

Interesting, sounds like the Arctic Cat tether is much easier to install, and should be compatible with the Sidewinder - if anyone knows please chime in.

How do you like the magnetic attachment? Do you feel that the force to remove it is strong enough?

 

[bleedyamaha]

I didn’t drill any holes. I fastened the tether to the steering riser. Put 450 miles on after that with no issues other than forgetting it was attached to me when I went to clean the cattails off my skis!!!

 

[AAD]

The Arctic Cat Magnetic Tether will plug right into the ‘19 Sidewinders

It’s not just magnetic there is plastic legs that keeps it held on till you release it. Works great.

 

[putz21]

The Arctic Cat Magnetic Tether will plug right into the ‘19 Sidewinders

It’s not just magnetic there is plastic legs that keeps it held on till you release it. Works great.

I don't believe all '19 Sidewinders come with this option. I think the SRX and LE versions do, but not the SE's. I bought the Arctic CAt Magnetic Tether but have no place to plug right in.

 

[AAD]

Maybe not but if you do should be on left side maybe stuck down under the plastic along fuel tank it’s not a open plug there is a connector plugged into it with a looped wire that you need to unplug.

 

[putz21]

Maybe not but if you do should be on left side maybe stuck down under the plastic along fuel tank it’s not a open plug there is a connector plugged into it with a looped wire that you need to unplug.

I searched for that plug for a long time and did not find the plug that has that looped wire. I'm thinking it's not on the SE's, which would be too bad.

 

[LouTurbo]

Arctic tether looks sweet. Would like to have a hidden switch where I could override in case I lose or damage the tether.

 

[errol]

Thank you NytroXtx17 for your detailed instructions! And you're right you must pull up the small white pc of plastic on both connectors...
I was able to install the new AC Magnetic Tether Switch on my SW BTX 2018! I bought the AC harness 1686-668 and made myself the wire from the Tether to the harness!
There was some work to do but happy with the result! Thanks Again!