I guess the rectifier on my '99 500 is bad - charge the battery run the machine for about an hour - the lights go out and it won't start with the electric starter - have to use the pull start.

Last weekend tried the pull start routine, but the machine was hot and it kicked back a little bit - which appears to have basically destroyed the plastic starter rope sheave. I have taken the assembly apart and have finally found most of the parts that went flying around when the flat spring let go.

Two questions - what are my pull starter rebuild options i.e. get a new sheave and pawl spring - but how to I rewind the starter spring without three hands?

The source of this whole problem is probably my rectifier - not recharging the battery - any troubleshooting ideas for this little jewel?

Any comments or suggestions?