1999 pantera burning out light bulbs??? is there a regulator? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

cgillispn · 12-11-2005, 02:30 PM

Hi, i have a 99 pantera 580. I started up the sled adn noticed after a few seconds the headlight blew out so i said ahh must be a bad bulb so i put the high beams on adn started it and it burnt both of those out too! wtf! I know there is a voltage regulator for the electric start but I wouldnt think that has anything to do with the lights. Is there another voltage regulator for the lights? what else could be causing this?

arcticman · 12-11-2005, 11:20 PM

It should have a general V/R, usually located in engine cmpt. side of footrest near where recoil rope comes through or by chaincase. Its normally square aluminum block with bolt through center & a short wiring plug.

IndianRvrShiver · 12-12-2005, 07:03 AM

If you have electric start, you will have a rectifier/regulator. Sound like it went bad......sorry, you'll need to replace it...about $25!!

cgillispn · 12-12-2005, 07:11 AM

I have the general v/r that arcticman is talking about...is there any way to test it?

IndianRvrShiver....where is the regulator/rectifier that you are talking about? why would this have anything to do with the lights if it still works without the battery for the electric start?

IndianRvrShiver · 12-12-2005, 07:35 AM

In order to charge the battery, the rectifier converts AC voltage into 12V DC. The rectifier & regulator are usually combined into one single unit; your specific sled may be different. If the E/S still works, it is probably because there is enough reserve in the battery for a limited number of starts. If you want to check rectifier function, measure voltage at the battery with the engine off (should be about 12.8V DC); then start the engine & measure again (should be at least 13.6V). If that's what you get, rectifier is OK. Look for separate V/R.

Checked on www.alphasports.com (Instruments & Wiring page); saw what might be the regulator/rectifier (#37 top center of page) but there is no #37 on part listing!!

cgillispn · 12-12-2005, 12:26 PM

yeah thats wierd, no P/N for that part....I will test the voltage on the battery tonight.

cgillispn · 12-13-2005, 07:15 AM

Tested the battery, 12 off and 14 running...

Could the general V/R be giving off too much voltage?

arcticman · 12-16-2005, 12:30 AM

if you checked the voltage at battery when running , Make sure you check it also at a little higher rpm 2500-3000 , that is when the voltage will climb & blow bulbs, it will keep climbing as rpm get higher, If it stays at 14v to 14.2 or so at higher rpms the charging voltage is fine, check it the same way at a lighting plug (headlight or taillight) if its climbing at that point ,it should have a lighting regulator. you can check voltage coming out of a lighting regulator & should never get to 15 or 16 volts.