Voltage , Charging ?
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 825
Likes: 59
From: Canada
Voltage , Charging ?
97 FLHTCUI
TODAY ON THE WAY BACK FROM SOMEWHERE THE VOLTAGE METER SUDDENLY READ ZERO, AND THE WOULD BOUNCE UP A BIT, SOMETIMES UP TO 20 AND FALL BACK TO ZERO ETC.. oops, sorry for the caps.
Then it went up to 20 ( normal) and just sat there fluctuating with revs as it should, and all seemed normal, and stayed like that all the way home.
As I recall this is all cycle electrics , alt, and reg, has about 30,000 miles on it off the top of my head.
Any ideas what might have happened?
I'm planning a long trip next week so hoping I can get this figure out.
Thanks.
TODAY ON THE WAY BACK FROM SOMEWHERE THE VOLTAGE METER SUDDENLY READ ZERO, AND THE WOULD BOUNCE UP A BIT, SOMETIMES UP TO 20 AND FALL BACK TO ZERO ETC.. oops, sorry for the caps.
Then it went up to 20 ( normal) and just sat there fluctuating with revs as it should, and all seemed normal, and stayed like that all the way home.
As I recall this is all cycle electrics , alt, and reg, has about 30,000 miles on it off the top of my head.
Any ideas what might have happened?
I'm planning a long trip next week so hoping I can get this figure out.
Thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,559
From: South Carolina
I would clean up the electrical connections, battery cable terminals (both ends) and the contact surfaces they connect to.
Also clean and check the connection at the main breaker, and the ground wire for the voltage regulator.
Unplug the connector for the indicators, make sure the pins and sockets in the connectors are not corroded, and not pushed out of the plastic housing.
Make sure the connector for the stator is in good condition and not loose.
Also clean and check the connection at the main breaker, and the ground wire for the voltage regulator.
Unplug the connector for the indicators, make sure the pins and sockets in the connectors are not corroded, and not pushed out of the plastic housing.
Make sure the connector for the stator is in good condition and not loose.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 825
Likes: 59
From: Canada
I would clean up the electrical connections, battery cable terminals (both ends) and the contact surfaces they connect to.
Also clean and check the connection at the main breaker, and the ground wire for the voltage regulator.
Unplug the connector for the indicators, make sure the pins and sockets in the connectors are not corroded, and not pushed out of the plastic housing.
Make sure the connector for the stator is in good condition and not loose.
Also clean and check the connection at the main breaker, and the ground wire for the voltage regulator.
Unplug the connector for the indicators, make sure the pins and sockets in the connectors are not corroded, and not pushed out of the plastic housing.
Make sure the connector for the stator is in good condition and not loose.
By indicators you mean the voltage meter?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,503
Likes: 7,807
From: Long Island, New York
I had the same issue a couple of years ago on my '05 Road Glide. Long story short, battery was install by my local Indy/idiot and they did not do a good job tightening the terminals at the battery. After 30 minutes of struggle and BS, I found the loose terminal. by this time the battery couldn't start the bike and I needed a jump, but then she charged herself back up and I was all good and back in the road.
I was pissed when I bought the battery at their shop (another story), then I was twice as pissed when this happened on the road f-ing with my afternoon.
Moral of the story, check your terminals first, maybe you get lucky.
I was pissed when I bought the battery at their shop (another story), then I was twice as pissed when this happened on the road f-ing with my afternoon.
Moral of the story, check your terminals first, maybe you get lucky.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 889
From: Texas
The connections on the plug-in pins will loosen up and lose the connection on the interior of the guages also. On my 98, I pull the fairing and start the bike and jiggle pin/ wire connections to the guages. Oil and voltmeter both have intermittent interior connections. Don't know if I can take these apart and fix or not. This could be it also for you. Do this and it'll let you know.
It is what it is. Ken
It is what it is. Ken
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 889
From: Texas
And yes, I know. Seeing/getting to the oil guage is a PITA on the FLHTCUI. Would replace mine, but haven't figured how to get tools to it. Hands
will not fit with that damn support bracket right in the way. Ken
will not fit with that damn support bracket right in the way. Ken
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 825
Likes: 59
From: Canada
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
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From: Canada
Checked everything , took connections apart cleaned all, and put it back together.
Worked for about 90 mi. than dropped to zero for the next 7-8 mi, than back to normal.
I want to hook up another voltmeter temporarily see if it does the same ,see if I have a real problem, or if it's just a meter problem.
Anyone know if I can just hook up to the regulator side of the main breaker, and a ground?
Seems like it should work to me????
Worked for about 90 mi. than dropped to zero for the next 7-8 mi, than back to normal.
I want to hook up another voltmeter temporarily see if it does the same ,see if I have a real problem, or if it's just a meter problem.
Anyone know if I can just hook up to the regulator side of the main breaker, and a ground?
Seems like it should work to me????
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
Checked everything , took connections apart cleaned all, and put it back together.
Worked for about 90 mi. than dropped to zero for the next 7-8 mi, than back to normal.
I want to hook up another voltmeter temporarily see if it does the same ,see if I have a real problem, or if it's just a meter problem.
Anyone know if I can just hook up to the regulator side of the main breaker, and a ground?
Seems like it should work to me????
Worked for about 90 mi. than dropped to zero for the next 7-8 mi, than back to normal.
I want to hook up another voltmeter temporarily see if it does the same ,see if I have a real problem, or if it's just a meter problem.
Anyone know if I can just hook up to the regulator side of the main breaker, and a ground?
Seems like it should work to me????
By chance do you have the pig tail to hook up a battery tender.
Have used that for a test point with an extra volt meter hooked up there.
I did verify the accuracy of this test point with measurements taken at the battery to compare.
A faulty gauge and /or a loose connection can create like symptoms.
Some meters have the ability to record voltages over time that can be reviewed after a ride
WP
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 825
Likes: 59
From: Canada
It could work that way. Good for you in really trying to diagnosis this rather than throwing parts at it.
By chance do you have the pig tail to hook up a battery tender.
Have used that for a test point with an extra volt meter hooked up there.
I did verify the accuracy of this test point with measurements taken at the battery to compare.
A faulty gauge and /or a loose connection can create like symptoms.
Some meters have the ability to record voltages over time that can be reviewed after a ride
WP
By chance do you have the pig tail to hook up a battery tender.
Have used that for a test point with an extra volt meter hooked up there.
I did verify the accuracy of this test point with measurements taken at the battery to compare.
A faulty gauge and /or a loose connection can create like symptoms.
Some meters have the ability to record voltages over time that can be reviewed after a ride
WP
I do, good idea, thanks.
I ordered one of those cheapo digital meters should be good enough to let me know if it's the oem gauge or something more serious.
Has to be something I can ride with as the problem is intermittent .