I have a 2000 sportsman 500 that's having some voltage problems. The battery is brand new and keeps dying on me. When I crank the bike the heat light will come on at idle, but the cooling system works fine( when the fan comes on there is 12.5 volts at the plug) I've checked a few things like the voltage at the battery when the bike is running and its 12.5ish which is the same as when the bike isn't running. I have less than 1v coming out of my voltage rectifier which I changed about 2 years ago. Could that be the issue? I've read some posts about this but its all for newer bikes and pertains to the ecm/pdm. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Pous

 

No ecm on this model! Check that all regulator/rectifier wires are plugged in and if so then sounds like you need another one if its only showing about battery voltage while running.Possible could be stator related,but this is what happens the most. I've had a couple over the years that regulator had to be replaced twice. Hot light coming on could be battery related since the fan works and may be ok when charging is repaired. OPT