Intermittent Charging Issue
Intermittent Charging Issue
I took my 09 Road Glide out yesterday and as soon as I got on the highway I noticed the Engine Light and Battery Light were on. I looked at the volt meter and it was ~9V. I got off at the next exit and by the time I got to a red light the voltage was back up to 14 and the warning lights were out. I checked the battery connections and checked voltage at the battery and while I was playing around the voltage dropped again. Shut it down, started it up......back to 14V.
I went through charging issues before on a 2008 Ultra. Did all the tests after my new battery went dead and the stator tested good. I replaced the regulator and still had issues and wound up replacing the stator.
My question is, how many times does replacing the regulator do the trick? And for How long?
I think with a lot of regulator posts I am reading people are not following up after the regulator is replaced and wind up replacing the stator as well.
I went through charging issues before on a 2008 Ultra. Did all the tests after my new battery went dead and the stator tested good. I replaced the regulator and still had issues and wound up replacing the stator.
My question is, how many times does replacing the regulator do the trick? And for How long?
I think with a lot of regulator posts I am reading people are not following up after the regulator is replaced and wind up replacing the stator as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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that is a common consensus. most just want to cover all bases so they do not worry down the road. is it wise????, hummmm
i had that issue and for months, never found the cause because it never failed while testing. but one day it did and turned out to be the stator. the connection at the stator winding and regulator pigtail failed. as far as the regulator goes, if you make a test harness for it, most auto parts stores have regulator testers.
myself, i just do not throw money at a problem, i find the problem and add to the storehouse of knowledge so that way, if it crops up again, less time wasted.
Attachment 617778
i had that issue and for months, never found the cause because it never failed while testing. but one day it did and turned out to be the stator. the connection at the stator winding and regulator pigtail failed. as far as the regulator goes, if you make a test harness for it, most auto parts stores have regulator testers.
myself, i just do not throw money at a problem, i find the problem and add to the storehouse of knowledge so that way, if it crops up again, less time wasted.
Attachment 617778
Last edited by bustert; Sep 16, 2019 at 06:44 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
I was having a similar issue. A fully charged battery wont drop to 9 volts in such a short time. I checked voltage while riding at the battery.
Turned out the ground from the dash was loose at the neck.
Turned out the ground from the dash was loose at the neck.
I got my new regulator today. I am working nights this week and didn't have much time to mess with the bike. I pulled the old regulator off and the regulator mounting posts were pretty corroded. I didn't have my phone with me so I didn't get any pics. I will take some before I clean it up. Are the mounting posts the grounding point, or is the base to frame the grounding point?
I got my new regulator today. I am working nights this week and didn't have much time to mess with the bike. I pulled the old regulator off and the regulator mounting posts were pretty corroded. I didn't have my phone with me so I didn't get any pics. I will take some before I clean it up. Are the mounting posts the grounding point, or is the base to frame the grounding point?
the ground wire for the voltmeter itself?
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Or positive wire. Bike doesn't care which.
I had bad coil that ohmed good.
This sorta sounds like loose wire. But in the stator or else where?
No mention of measuring a.c. from stator. That's where the power comes from.
I had bad coil that ohmed good.
This sorta sounds like loose wire. But in the stator or else where?
No mention of measuring a.c. from stator. That's where the power comes from.
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