2004 sportsman 500 HO carb charging 17.6 volts

Hey guys, i am a newbie to this forum and was hoping to utilize all of your experience to try and figure out my problem. 1st off i own a 2004 sportsman 500 Ho, i am the original owner. It is a model A04CH50AO, VIN 4XACH50A84A073474. Built on 10-23-2003 sold on 11-21-2003 as an 04. I am having the typical battery flashing light problem. static battery voltage is 12.6 idle voltage is 12.6 running at 3000 rpm it charges at 17.6 volts. This machine is not part of the ECM recall. Polaris sold me a load shed switch to cure this,there isnt one on this quad. I am wondering if there is a voltage regulator or a rectifier on this one. i cant find either. My next step was going to be to replace the Ecm to the tune of 160.00 but I am leary to do that without knowing if there is another voltage regulator or a rectifier that i am missing. The ECM in it is the original.