97 polaris 500....disconnect the battery...the lights and dash work...put the battery terminal on and no lights...no dash nada...but it runs still..

 

Lights,dash are working off the magneto power as they should on these older models, but sounds like the battery wiring or harness wiring has a short.

 

thats what i told the guy....was what i thought anyway.....its an old beater and he dont much care...just asked what i thought and monday ill tell him what ya said and he can go from there....thanks for your imput i appreciate it....

 

Thing of it is if he doesn't find the problem eventually lights can blow out from surge of the regulator as it's charging voltage has to go somewhere and bulbs offer the least resistance and usually go first.Plus it needs the battery for the starter,fan motor or the engine can over heat. I'd start at the regulator with the battery hooked up and see if it's at least working,charging around 14 volts back to the battery.

 

hes cheap....he dont care....it will blow up and quit running...ill maybe get it in the future...ill tell him what ya said...his starter is already burned up and he wont replace it....plastic is all busted up too....but anywho...thanks for the info....