I have a 2012 FLHP that started showing a check engine and battery light intermittently. My multi meter was showing 12.6 volts across the battery and 14.3 volts with the bike running with no warning lights lit up and just battery voltage with lights on. I just had the battery load tested and it tested good. I ohm tested that stator side of the plug to ground and all sockets showed no ground. I ohm tested 1-2 2-3 1-3 on the plug and they all read a little over .1 . I started my bike and registered 42 volts AC at 2000 RPM in all three stator plug sockets. I smell no bad smells out of my primary oil that I changed last week. I ohm tested the positive wire on the out voltage side of voltage regulator plug and it showed no ground to the frame. I checked the frame bolt ground under my battery box and it was clean and tight. I plugged in my vin number with HD and I see they had VR issues with the 2012 bikes. I bought my bike from a dealer in 2012 with 2k miles on it and I never received any notice of possible VR issue. (it could have been done before I got the bike or it wasn't a bad batch of VR on my bike).
I town ride a lot with short rides so I keep in on a tender all the time.
So......Bad Voltage regulator?
Thanks in advance
Neon

 

UPDATE: I got the bike all put back together. Started it and measured it across the battery terminals with a multi meter and it showed only 12.7 volts with no warning lights lit. I whacked the VR with a ratchet and it jumped up to 13.9 at idle and 14.1 at 3500 rpm. I think I may have found the problem.

 

Before you buy a VR, check the VR mounting bolts and ground wire for good/tight connections. If a bolt was at all loose or the contact for the ground is corroded, that whack may have enabled a good ground. If all good, you know what you have to do.

 

If you are changing the VR go with Cycle Electric.

 

yes, loosen and tighten VR mounts

mike

 

Thanks for the advice. It never really clicked with me that the VR needed a good ground to the frame. I took the VR off to inspect it when I started troubleshooting this problem. I just tried it with it sitting there without tightened down the studs. I secured it back on the studs before giving it the ratchet whack. I left my multi meter connected most of the day yesterday and would start the bike every once in a while.
It would read 13.9-14.1. Is this enough voltage?
Thanks

 

That should be enough to charge the battery. HD spec is 13V to 15.5V, but most test around 14V (measured across the battery terminals).