Battery not holding its charge
#1
Battery not holding its charge
The bike is an 08 FatBob.
I'd noted of late that battery (at least I thought) was crapping out as the bike was having trouble starting after just a week on not riding it - I pretty much ride it every weekend so never kept it on the charger.
So I picked up an new battery and all was good as expected. I rode the bike Thursday, Friday and again on Saturday. Pulled in to get a bite to eat, came back out and the battery didn't have enough charge to start the bike up.
Obviously something else going on here then.
Can anybody give me some tips on what to troubleshoot? Could it be the stator?
Thanks,
-Jack
I'd noted of late that battery (at least I thought) was crapping out as the bike was having trouble starting after just a week on not riding it - I pretty much ride it every weekend so never kept it on the charger.
So I picked up an new battery and all was good as expected. I rode the bike Thursday, Friday and again on Saturday. Pulled in to get a bite to eat, came back out and the battery didn't have enough charge to start the bike up.
Obviously something else going on here then.
Can anybody give me some tips on what to troubleshoot? Could it be the stator?
Thanks,
-Jack
#2
Yepper, could be a charging problem. Start the bike and put a test meter on the battery terminals. Less than 14 volts, could be the stator.
I just went thru the same problem with my '07. New battery first, then new stator.
Thought it was the battery at first but after replacing the original battery, trouble never went away.
Check your trouble codes first.
I just went thru the same problem with my '07. New battery first, then new stator.
Thought it was the battery at first but after replacing the original battery, trouble never went away.
Check your trouble codes first.
#3
I would also look at your charging system connections, regulator plugs, stator plugs, battery terminals. If they are dirty or wet can cause issues. Also check your wires to the plugs to make sure they haven't broken. Had the main ground off the battery crack complety through at the crimp, caused charging issues & irratic engine running. The cable had shrink tube over the cable so I didn't find it till I pulled on the terminal end. So pull on the wires to see if they haven't been severed. Just my experience.
#4
Auto Zone For Free
Just go to an Auto Zone type store , ride the bike there with tools ready to take off your battery cover , they will put it on their machine to check your charging system, NO GUESSES and it's all for FREE !!!!!!!! , Or any other kind of service center for cars but maybe not for free ( Call Them )
#5
I would also look at your charging system connections, regulator plugs, stator plugs, battery terminals. If they are dirty or wet can cause issues. Also check your wires to the plugs to make sure they haven't broken. Had the main ground off the battery crack complety through at the crimp, caused
charging issues & irratic engine
running. The cable had shrink
tube over the cable so I didn't
find it till I pulled on the terminal
end. So pull on the wires to see
if they haven't been severed.
Just my experience.
charging issues & irratic engine
running. The cable had shrink
tube over the cable so I didn't
find it till I pulled on the terminal
end. So pull on the wires to see
if they haven't been severed.
Just my experience.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
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#7
Battery charge on my '92 FXDC
Don't know about the newer bikes but I have had a lot of problems with the rectifier connection. It connects at the engine with a rubber cap. The rubber seal at the engine gets "dissolved" from the oil and then the rectifier cap won't go on all the way. Then, it can get so bad the the pins in the engine seal actually can be pushed in so there's no connection. Make sure the pins (on both parts are seated). It's a bitch because you can't really see it. I cut a lot of the rubber away so I could tell.
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#8
I would also look at your charging system connections, regulator plugs, stator plugs, battery terminals. If they are dirty or wet can cause issues. Also check your wires to the plugs to make sure they haven't broken. Had the main ground off the battery crack complety through at the crimp, caused charging issues & irratic engine running. The cable had shrink tube over the cable so I didn't find it till I pulled on the terminal end. So pull on the wires to see if they haven't been severed. Just my experience.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: along the shore of Mishigami
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#10
Well, I had it checked out and it's definitely not the battery. I have the Dakota Digital gauge on my bike that has a built in V meter. The voltage drops within a short period of time, then the error light comes on and it's steady downhill from there.
I'll check additional connectors as mentioned, but if I don't find anything obvious I'll take it to my Indy shop.
Thanks for the help
I'll check additional connectors as mentioned, but if I don't find anything obvious I'll take it to my Indy shop.
Thanks for the help