Do batteries fail intermittently?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Yeah, I like my volt meter. Radio shack sells a little thing that plugs into a cigarette lighter and tells you the status of your charging system. It is an LED tree. You could wire that in somewhere inconspiciously and use that to keep an eye on things. Maybe cut the face off and mount it neatly.
The volt meter in my Corolla saved me a bunch of headache. My AC clutch went out. It shorted to ground. I noticed the AC wasn't cooling, looked at the volt meter and saw it was down pretty good, indicating a big drain on the system. Turned off the AC compressor and it came back. Had I not spotted that, I likely would have melted some wiring somewhere, blown a fuse or who knows what.
The volt meter in my Corolla saved me a bunch of headache. My AC clutch went out. It shorted to ground. I noticed the AC wasn't cooling, looked at the volt meter and saw it was down pretty good, indicating a big drain on the system. Turned off the AC compressor and it came back. Had I not spotted that, I likely would have melted some wiring somewhere, blown a fuse or who knows what.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
i had that problem
When I had that same issue it was because i didnt have a good ground. The cables were hooked snuggly to the battery but it was not getting grounded properly. During this time, the bike would run like crap. So i ended up making another ground for the battery with mounting a ground strap to the tank and now im running fine. Hope this helps.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
...It dies when I'm out riding, about 2hrs out. At the times it dies, it won't even crank over the motor. I usually realize what's happening because there's not enough power to run the tach and the brake light. Those two items together kill the tachometer and that gets my attention. And by this point, if I shut it off before it dies, it won't restart.
How about the regulator to stator connection? One of The MoCo's bright ideas that isn't so bright. After five years of head scratching, getting stuck in various parking lots, having the bike towed, throwing $$$ at both dealers and indys: I found that connection to be intermittent on my bike. X-Acto knife, ice pick, needle nose pliers... No more bad connection.
Yes. I've had batteries that will show a complete charge, but they will not crank the bike. Won't pass a load test either...
Not necessarily. If the battery isn't capable of holding a small charge, the bike will die. Or if the battery isn't getting any voltage from the regulator/stator (due to a bad connection), the bike will eventually die. Like mine did on I-75 outside of Flint, MI.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX
I've tested the stator and it checks out okay, but the volts aren't getting back to the battery. The plug on the stator looks new, (it pretty much is) fits snugly, and does not ground out; But, I'm going to try replacing it anyway. I found a loose wire that is the taillight connection under the seat. Perhaps it is arching, and making a problem for the regulator. I will also will try and hook up a volt meter so I can keep an eye on things in the future.
Any issues with aftermarket regulators? ie Solid State, Cycle Electric...
Any issues with aftermarket regulators? ie Solid State, Cycle Electric...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
If your stator tests OK and you don't have like 13.x volts across the battery at say 1500 RPM, then the regulator is shot or the wire back to it. I prefer genuine H.D. regulators. I don't like getting stuck.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
The problem I encountered was the connection from the regulator to the stator had become loose internally. As in the metal terminals were no longer making contact. Even after the dealership replaced my regulator ($300 job 'cause I was stranded on the road), the bike died when I got it home.
If your plug from the regulator doesn't 'snap' fully into the stator plug, there is going to be no way to get the output from the stator through the regulator and into the battery.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX
If your stator was replaced the plug is new. And the regulator (if replaced) plug is also new.
The problem I encountered was the connection from the regulator to the stator had become loose internally. As in the metal terminals were no longer making contact. Even after the dealership replaced my regulator ($300 job 'cause I was stranded on the road), the bike died when I got it home.
If your plug from the regulator doesn't 'snap' fully into the stator plug, there is going to be no way to get the output from the stator through the regulator and into the battery.
The problem I encountered was the connection from the regulator to the stator had become loose internally. As in the metal terminals were no longer making contact. Even after the dealership replaced my regulator ($300 job 'cause I was stranded on the road), the bike died when I got it home.
If your plug from the regulator doesn't 'snap' fully into the stator plug, there is going to be no way to get the output from the stator through the regulator and into the battery.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From:
- just go along the wire's "route" and test where the stator/regulator's
output continuity fails.
- from stator , its feeds the regulator , then onto the circuit breaker , then
onto the battery/starter , etc.
- but if the voltage across your battery's posts reads as healthy , then you
may have some kind of intermittent fault , which is draining the battery.
cheers
.
output continuity fails.
- from stator , its feeds the regulator , then onto the circuit breaker , then
onto the battery/starter , etc.
- but if the voltage across your battery's posts reads as healthy , then you
may have some kind of intermittent fault , which is draining the battery.
cheers
.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,622
Likes: 7
From: Gulf Coast
When my bike was about a year and a half old I started having problems with the battery staying charged. These problems started after I'd left the key on a couple of times and totally discharged the battery.I'd charge it on a battery charger and ride it for a week or so and the battery wouldn't have enough charge to crank the engine. Had the charging system and the battery checked two or three times and everything checked out fine. Finally replaced the battery and haven't had a problem since.
Good Luck
Tom
Good Luck
Tom