mountainmaxman
New member
Hopefully someone can offer suggestions on this one. I have a 97 SX Mountain with an electrical issue which is leaving me scratching my head.
First, the gas gauge was working intermittently, then just quit all together. That was followed with both all lights and the rpm gauge cutting in and out whenever it felt like it. It didn't matter if the machine was moving or not--everything just cut out.
Complicating the issue is the fact that this does not happen all the time. Although I have no gas gauge reading at all times, all other electronics work when they feel like it and cut out just as quick. Again, it doesn't matter what the RPM's are or if the sled is moving or not.
There are times when I first start the machine and everything but the gas gauge works fine and it will continue that way all day. There are other times when nothing works. However, if I hit the "hi-lo" switch for the lights and run brights, if the electrical is not working, switching to high beam brings everything--except the gas gauge--back to normal operation--and keeps it running right. I can sometimes then hit the switch to go back to low beam and everything continues operating normally. And again, if it does act normal, it may stay that way for 5 minutes and cut out again or stay that way the entire ride.
The sled itself continues running great no matter what the rest of the elecrtrical is doing. After reading the Clymer "shop manual", I've found out that the machine has two voltage regulators--one for the hand warmers and the other for all other electrical.
I also understand there is a lighting coil on the machine. One question I have is whether or not the lighting coil also controls the rpm gauge? Second, what would cause everything to work fine and totally fail whenever it feels like it...sometimes for 10 seconds other times all day long?
I don't want to buy a new voltage regulator if that isn't the problem since you can't return electrical parts!
Any help ANYONE can provide with this mess would be GREATLY appreciated. Like I said, the sled runs fine regardless of its electrical mishaps...but it still drives me nuts not knowing what is causing it.
THANX MUCH!
First, the gas gauge was working intermittently, then just quit all together. That was followed with both all lights and the rpm gauge cutting in and out whenever it felt like it. It didn't matter if the machine was moving or not--everything just cut out.
Complicating the issue is the fact that this does not happen all the time. Although I have no gas gauge reading at all times, all other electronics work when they feel like it and cut out just as quick. Again, it doesn't matter what the RPM's are or if the sled is moving or not.
There are times when I first start the machine and everything but the gas gauge works fine and it will continue that way all day. There are other times when nothing works. However, if I hit the "hi-lo" switch for the lights and run brights, if the electrical is not working, switching to high beam brings everything--except the gas gauge--back to normal operation--and keeps it running right. I can sometimes then hit the switch to go back to low beam and everything continues operating normally. And again, if it does act normal, it may stay that way for 5 minutes and cut out again or stay that way the entire ride.
The sled itself continues running great no matter what the rest of the elecrtrical is doing. After reading the Clymer "shop manual", I've found out that the machine has two voltage regulators--one for the hand warmers and the other for all other electrical.
I also understand there is a lighting coil on the machine. One question I have is whether or not the lighting coil also controls the rpm gauge? Second, what would cause everything to work fine and totally fail whenever it feels like it...sometimes for 10 seconds other times all day long?
I don't want to buy a new voltage regulator if that isn't the problem since you can't return electrical parts!
Any help ANYONE can provide with this mess would be GREATLY appreciated. Like I said, the sled runs fine regardless of its electrical mishaps...but it still drives me nuts not knowing what is causing it.
THANX MUCH!
I Dont Know About The Sx Mountain But My O2 Viper Had Similar Symptoms With The Lights And Dash. Even The High Beam Switch Was Sometimes Correcting The Issue. I Found I Had A Rub Through In The Main Harness Under The Engine. I Would Look At You Machine And See If This Would Be Possible. I Had Two Wires Exposed And After Cleaning And Taping Them Up The Machine Was Fine. Hope This Helps
daman
New member
well i would start by tearing into all the wire harness for broke or chafed wires and check all grounds too..
swmichsx
New member
first thing to do is get a big can of WD40 and spray all the electrical connections. i am sure you have some contact issues due to corrosion. look at the connections for anything that looks a blue / green color. once you have sprayed everything spray it again. wiggle and giggle all the connections take them apart if you can and spray them again.you need to get rid of the corrosion. i spray all my electrical connection all the time. i had some issues with my sled last year until i cleaned all the connections. as far as the fuel gauge you need the sled running , take the gas cap off get a stiff piece of wire and hook it around the float ,pull up on it and see if the gauge moves. you may just have a broken wire or a short. but the sending unit or the gauge might also be bad. that requires some experience with a multi meter to figure out. must electrical problems are due to a bad ground or corrosion.also look the wiring over very carefully for a rub through .
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SRX M10
New member
I had a 97 sx700 that had electrical problems that drove me crazy. It was a rub through under the motor where the main cluster came through a hole in the bulkhead. Check your harness under the motor. Hope this helps
Vipermtn77
New member
Check your harness for some sort of rub thru, I just went through this a week ago, found it near the stator. Good luck