97 formula3 lighting - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

dugdamoose · 12-09-2006, 10:41 AM

hi! i just got a 97 formula 3 ski-doo 600 tripple runs great. for reasons unknown it has no lights at all headlight is out rear light out (except the brake light sometimes) no dash lights. is there a fuse? the guy that sold it to me said he never had that problem before. just stopped working. is there a way to check my stator lighting coil side?

thanks for the help.

**smallengineguy** · 12-09-2006, 10:58 AM

After checking to make sure the bulbs are good, there are 2 things that can make the lights not work: lighting coil and regulator. See if you have voltage in and out of the regulator. If there is no voltage into the regulator, the lighting coil is probably bad.

dugdamoose · 12-13-2006, 11:48 AM

which wires will i be checking. and how? volts, ohm's? it's not the bulbs because i switched bulbs with another 97 formula 3 and it still didnt work. the brake light does work. but not the steady rear light or the headlight. wheres the regulator? is it in the denso pack or is that the cdi? thanks.

**smallengineguy** · 12-13-2006, 06:50 PM

The denso pack is the CDI. The regulator is UNDER the engine.... If you can unplug it seewhat the voltage is coming out of the engine where it plugs in, Should be 30VAC or so.

dugdamoose · 12-13-2006, 07:02 PM

under the engine? that's a good place to put it! will check it out . thanks again!

**smallengineguy** · 12-13-2006, 07:03 PM

That's where it is on my Mach z,.....fun to get at...

upersleder · 12-13-2006, 08:50 PM

thats where it is, it was there on my FIII sorry

mmrosshere · 12-14-2006, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugdamoose

hi! i just got a 97 formula 3 ski-doo 600 tripple runs great. for reasons unknown it has no lights at all headlight is out rear light out (except the brake light sometimes) no dash lights. is there a fuse? the guy that sold it to me said he never had that problem before. just stopped working. is there a way to check my stator lighting coil side?

thanks for the help.

That makes me think of something more along the ground circut

dugdamoose · 12-14-2006, 05:53 PM

found the regulator! that's the worse place they could have put it! under the engine on the right. or left if your standing in front of it. i'm not so sure that it's the problem. had some time to think, why would the brake light be working?(ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED) so that tells me that the stator lighting coil is working. right? i took apart the dimmer switch that looks clean inside, i disconnected the dimmer switch wires checked ohms on the switch side and it's working. i also started the sled and checked the end that plugs into the dimmer switch checked vdc and it was 40-42. not sure if this is normal. also Does the ignition switch have anything to do with the lighting like the older sleds?

**smallengineguy** · 12-14-2006, 09:30 PM

Check for voltage at the headlight plug next.

dugdamoose · 12-15-2006, 10:07 PM

HI! i checked the volts to the headlight. the volts were 0.07v and 0.01v. then i checked my sons formula 3 sled and it was 12v and 12v . i finally took off my voltage regulator i'm thinking about putting it on my sons sled and see if his lights will work with it. i still dont understand why my brake light is working if my voltage regulator isn't working.

**smallengineguy** · 12-16-2006, 06:51 AM

SOunds like the regulator pooped out. Not sure on the taillight...

upersleder · 12-16-2006, 10:25 AM

sometimes taillights are rated at 30V maybe you have one of those.

dugdamoose · 12-18-2006, 12:05 AM

UPDATE: i put in a full day. i put my voltage regulator onto my sons 97formula 3 600 and his lights worked. next i tried my ignition switch, his lights worked.my sled has a bright brake light so i ruled out messing with the stator.so then i removed the seat (yes i busted both bolts)it prob wouldnt kill the skidoo industry if they used stainless steal bolts or aluminum. so anyway i checked out the wires under the seat all looked ok! there's a wire with a fuse looks like it goes to the fuel guage. fuse was good. so after hours of being dissapointed it has to be a bad wire. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION to anyone who ever has a simular problem. On the left hand side of the sled(as you sit on it)the wire harness travels under the engine then comes up and plugs into the wires comming off the cowl. right where the wire harness is zip tied to the sled body there was a great deal of rubbing i snipped the zip tie and pulled the wire harness up and found one wire broken. two wires holding together by a few strands.after fixing the broken wires. my lights work great!! so check your sleds make sure that the zip tie isnt too tight. i think that if the tie is a little loose would solve the problem. thanks guys for all your help. now i need SNOW!

**smallengineguy** · 12-18-2006, 07:12 AM

Good troubleshooting!

upersleder · 12-18-2006, 12:37 PM

VERY GOOD... proves my point when i say check ALL your wires over.

glad you got it solved, hope we get snow soon.

mmrosshere · 12-19-2006, 01:08 AM

Excellent It sounds like a good check to add to the regular service.