My stator just died in my 99 Softail Custom with 34,000 miles on it. I checked it out and it is shorted to ground on both terminals. My question is do I need to replace the regulator also? It checks out OK as far as bleed down, so the diodes are good. I have read here somewhere that it is a good idea to change the regulator when the the stator goes belly up. What is your experiance? I replaced the regulator at about 18,000.

 

It may be Ok, but with 34k and the trama of a stator melt down,
I'd replace it.

 

I only have 16,000 on the regulator.

 

If it was my bike, I would replace it. In my experience, stators usually blow from something downstream shorting.

 

If you don't replace it you can run the risk of when the regulator goes it can cause the stator to go as well in bad instances

 

Jim,

If the regulator is OEM and you are installing an OEM stator, I'd use the existing regulator, especially since you have tested it.

DS

 

Yup, regulator is fine if it tests fine and does it regulating thang. I never replace them unless they are actually blown and that is a rare occurence.

Electronic stuff like this either works or it doesn't....

 

I can see both ways, but I checked the regulator to ground on both terminals, and to each other, and no shorts either way. Also no bleed back from battery when I had it connected. I am guessing that when the stator went bad it just shorted the input to the regulator to ground, which should not have hurt it. I also have a thing with regulators, that if you have one that lasts 10,000 miles, it will continue to work for a long time. Most of the ones I have had go bad happened in less that 10,000. Anyway, tomorrow we do surgery and replace the stator. My son just dropped off his impact and sockets, so I am ready to go. He said the hardest part is getting the plug through the case. Any tips you guys have are welcome.

The regulator is Harley OEM, and the stator will be too.

 

I use special rubber grease made for brake overhauls to get it lubed up nicely and push through with a blunt screwdriver.

But before you do that make sure the hole is clear of melted rubber as it often gets stuck in there and you wont get the plug through unless its clean as a whistle.

 

A quick way to test a regulator is to disconnect the 2-wire plug going to the stator and connect a battery charger to the terminals on the regulator side. First one polarity and then the other. Since your stator outputs alternating current, you just simulated that by reversing the polarity of the battery charger.Make sure you use a charger rated less than the amp rating of your regulator. 10 amps would be fine. So if the charger works to charge the battery in both polarities, the regulator is working. Most battery chargers have an ammeter that will indicate the current draw. It should draw the same amount through the regulator as it does when the charger is connected directly to the battery. Hell, the battery and regulator don't even have to be in the bike to test this way.

What do the gurus think about that?