99 XLT dim lights

[snodogg]

friend has 99 XLT polaris, last night his lights were acting up going dim, off, back on, off, etc... I know he checked for obvious loose connections, but I'm thinking bad voltage regulator? Any ideas/suggestions.

 

[snow_monkey]

sounds good!

 

[ffemt]

Bad ground on voltage reg

 

[doomsman]

Does the tach drop off when the lights drop out?

 

[doomsman]

Bad ground on voltage reg

that will cause high voltage and bright lights usually.

 

[snodogg]

Does the tach drop off when the lights drop out?

No idea, I don't have the sled here either.

 

[WHITEWATER]

When the voltage regulator heats up the light will go out. When you stop for lunch, or a drink it will cool down and work again. AND SO ON

 

[indy_500]

Lights dimming and going on and off is a sign of the voltage regulator going out. Last 3 sleds i had, had these exact same symptoms. Changed the voltage regulator and wah-lah!

 

[mn_polaris_guy]

I'd check the ground, but I think it's the voltage reg going bad. Typically, when they go, your lights get brighter and then can burn out, but I've had them fail and make the lights dim.

 

[toolie]

friend has 99 XLT polaris, last night his lights were acting up going dim, off, back on, off, etc... I know he checked for obvious loose connections, but I'm thinking bad voltage regulator? Any ideas/suggestions.

Had the same problem with my 06 fusion. Thought it was the VR but turned out to be a short in my handwarmers. With handwarmers on, lights would go dim or break hard they would just go off. Check to see if your friend is having the same problem. Could be a cheaper fix than buying a VR. Or check for loose bulb.

 

[snodogg]

Had the same problem with my 06 fusion. Thought it was the VR but turned out to be a short in my handwarmers. With handwarmers on, lights would go dim or break hard they would just go off. Check to see if your friend is having the same problem. Could be a cheaper fix than buying a VR. Or check for loose bulb.

Doubt its loose bulb 'cause all lights go dim, must be a way to check voltage coming out of reg, otherwise yes could be a bad wire somewhere in harness. I'm going to have him check VR and go from there.

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[toolie]

Doubt its loose bulb 'cause all lights go dim, must be a way to check voltage coming out of reg, otherwise yes could be a bad wire somewhere in harness. I'm going to have him check VR and go from there.

Thanks for everyone's input!

If you have a bad VF I believe you would have to much juice going to your lights and would blow them out. To my knowledge if a VR is going out it will not restrict volts.

 

[TriumphoverU]

The voltage regulator is bad! Had to replace it on my 2000 Indy Triumph because it was doing the same thing. If you want to test it all you need to do is unplug the voltage regulator while the sled is idleing. If your lights come back on, that is your problem. If the lights stay dim, look elsewhere for your problem.

DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT rev or raise the engine rpm's above idle with the VR unplugged, you will blow every bulb on the sled.

 

[Polarice]

I had this trouble with a '99 XC. I replaced the VR with a used VR and it blew several bulbs. That VR was bad. I ordered another used VR and the problem ALMOST stopped. I think that VR was starting to go bad too.

My suggestion is to test it like TriumphoverU said, and then buy a new one. It's a little more expensive but that's what I would do if I still had the sled.