ok so i have a 99 kodiak 400 4x4 and when i started it up the other day the regualtor started smoking really bad it actually burnt a hole threw it. what could this be? i went mudding the other day and covered everything pretty thick could this be it or what? i ordered a new one and im scared for it to do it again.

 

The mud should not have had anything to do with it. These machines were made to be covered in mud and water. Unless there was an excessive amount of voltage coming to it from the generator, then it was probably just it's time to go.