JDX8 Light Issue

[Newdeereguy85]

1973 JDX8

I have put many hours into my Dads Christmas Gift this year. I got him a 1973 JDX8 so he can attend Waconia with my brother and I this year.

Pulled the engine, tank, exhaust, seat, you get the picture, and cleaned everything really well. Put on a new track, rebulit carb, new plug wires, on and on. Anyway I have everything done, the only thing wrong is the lights are really Dim. They do work, but are dim. I did replace the voltage regulator, check the wiring for any bad wires the best I could. Need some ideas asap because I am giving it to him this weekend and would like it to be 100% complete.

Thanks

[liquitisplit80]

lighting coil in the mag??

[Newdeereguy85]

That's what I'm afraid of. If something wasn't grounded could that make the light dim or would it not even work?

[JDT]

It may be just the opossite. Something is grounded that should not be.

Turn off the lights and check the voltage with a meter. It should be about 11-14 VAC at idle or 3000 RPM.
If it is less than look at the coil.

If it is ok then proceed.
Then turn the switch on and see how much the voltage dropped. I bet you find 4-5 volts.
This would indicate a short in the lighting circuit.
Probable casues...
Melted wire going to the headlight from touching the exhaust system.
Broken socket on taillight housing shorting to ground.
Tailight wire under seat board rubbed through insulation and shorted to the tunnel.
Bad socket on dial lamp on the back of the tach or speedo.

Or you can unhook all lights and hook them up one at a time until they go dim(or voltage drops) and then you know where to look.

[Newdeereguy85]

Thanks you, I hope I get it done before tomorrow when I have to give it to him.

Thanks