The starter was sticking on my 2001 Panther 440, so I disconnected the battery. After all, who needs electric start on a 440 fan, right? Now, after a short run, it died and won't restart. Did I damage something running it with the battery disconnected? I can't seem to find any info in my repair manuals. Help!!
Thanks.

It may have overcharged since the battery was not hooked up and melted some wires.As a charging system works it can sense the voltgae it needs to put out according to how low or high the voltage the battery is.If you disconnect it its like the battery is dead and will put out the max voltage all the time. Least ths is what my manual says.

Hi,

Disconnecting the battery would not on its own make your snowmobile stop running. What did
you do with the cables after unhooking them ? If the positive wire was not taped off and allowed
to touch the frame, it might burn up some wiring resulting in loss of ignition. I am assuming
you no longer have spark at the plugs. While your action seems suspicious, it may be
coincidental. While it is true your lighting system might be subjected to a little "extra energy"
when disconnecting the battery, the voltage regulator would compensate for this as it does
in snowmobiles without electric start. Good luck and drop an update if any further questions.

Tom