Engine Light. Low voltage.
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I was zipping down the freeway at highway speed watching the voltage slowly drop from 12 down to about 10.
I was flipping switches, headlights, horn, blinkers, stereo hoping something was shorting making the voltage drop. But no, nothing made a difference.
Crap, okay, sounds like it could be a stator, and good news that's a warranty issue. I hope I have enough juice to get it home tonight, I'll charge it up and take it in tomorrow morning.
Thanks guys.
I was flipping switches, headlights, horn, blinkers, stereo hoping something was shorting making the voltage drop. But no, nothing made a difference.
Crap, okay, sounds like it could be a stator, and good news that's a warranty issue. I hope I have enough juice to get it home tonight, I'll charge it up and take it in tomorrow morning.
Thanks guys.
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
So I go to the bike after work, thinking I'll be lucky if it starts and even luckier to get it home. It fires up, voltage is back to 14+ and all is well all the way home. Like nothing ever happened. I swear I wasn't imagining this. lol.
So when the Stator starts to go, does it quit for a while, then start working again, then fail again in the future? Or is there something else going on?
So when the Stator starts to go, does it quit for a while, then start working again, then fail again in the future? Or is there something else going on?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
So when the Stator starts to go, does it quit for a while, then start working again, then fail again in the future? Or is there something else going on? 
No if the stator goes, it goes. Check the plug from the stator going to the regulator first. Quite possibly the regulator is going (easier replacement too.)
No if the stator goes, it goes. Check the plug from the stator going to the regulator first. Quite possibly the regulator is going (easier replacement too.)
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
So when the Stator starts to go, does it quit for a while, then start working again, then fail again in the future? Or is there something else going on?
No if the stator goes, it goes. Check the plug from the stator going to the regulator first. Quite possibly the regulator is going (easier replacement too.)
No if the stator goes, it goes. Check the plug from the stator going to the regulator first. Quite possibly the regulator is going (easier replacement too.)
So I have an intermittent problem and I'm going on holidays tomorrow. Great. At least this reminded me to go find that extended warranty card and stick it in my wallet. I have a 100 mile tow limit with my AAA (AMA in Canada). Hopefully it doesn't quit on the highway, but quits enough so the tech can find the problem at the dealership where ever that may be.
Thanks for your comment Stiggy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
I had a stator go out on me and had about 40 miles to go to get to my destination. So with a fully charged battery I tried to make it with the gauge reading just under 12 with the bike running. I watched the gauge slowly fall to about 8.5 volts where he bike finally died and I coasted over to the side about 5 miles short.
Fortunately a guy met me and with my bike off we charged my battery off of his truck for about 10 minutes and that gave me plenty of juice to get to where I was going.
So if it does fail you've got some options as far as getting it to a repair place. ( Here's to hoping it doesn't!!)
Fortunately a guy met me and with my bike off we charged my battery off of his truck for about 10 minutes and that gave me plenty of juice to get to where I was going.
So if it does fail you've got some options as far as getting it to a repair place. ( Here's to hoping it doesn't!!)
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I had a stator go out on me and had about 40 miles to go to get to my destination. So with a fully charged battery I tried to make it with the gauge reading just under 12 with the bike running. I watched the gauge slowly fall to about 8.5 volts where he bike finally died and I coasted over to the side about 5 miles short.
Fortunately a guy met me and with my bike off we charged my battery off of his truck for about 10 minutes and that gave me plenty of juice to get to where I was going.
So if it does fail you've got some options as far as getting it to a repair place. ( Here's to hoping it doesn't!!)
Fortunately a guy met me and with my bike off we charged my battery off of his truck for about 10 minutes and that gave me plenty of juice to get to where I was going.
So if it does fail you've got some options as far as getting it to a repair place. ( Here's to hoping it doesn't!!)
That's a great idea. As a matter of fact I have a spare plug that will fit the battery tender plug, and have a set of small battery clamps, I'm going to wire them up and throw them in my saddle bag just in case.
I rode it in to work again this morning and no hint of anything wrong, well maybe it'll die near a Harley shop on holidays. I have my warranty card in my wallet. lol.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Zeus-ster, what you have there is a burned stator. Sure, go on and check the battery connections but they'll be tight - I'd bet money on it. No sense in checking the voltage - that's what your volt meter is for and you already know what it says.
What you need to do next is remove the derby cover and give the primary the old 'sniff' test. If the stator's burned you'll smell it for sure....and you'll NEVER forget that smell, not ever. It's nasty to be sure and will leave no doubt in your mind.
A new stator will run about $160-180 (Cycle Electrics) and maybe 3 hrs for labor. If it's not a warranty claim it'll run you about $400 to get it back.
Regulators rarely go out so you're probably good to go there. Good thing too since they're more costly than the stator at around $220.
What you need to do next is remove the derby cover and give the primary the old 'sniff' test. If the stator's burned you'll smell it for sure....and you'll NEVER forget that smell, not ever. It's nasty to be sure and will leave no doubt in your mind.
A new stator will run about $160-180 (Cycle Electrics) and maybe 3 hrs for labor. If it's not a warranty claim it'll run you about $400 to get it back.
Regulators rarely go out so you're probably good to go there. Good thing too since they're more costly than the stator at around $220.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,729
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From: IA
Also check the nut on the shaft I have seen them get loose and then the rotor wobbles a little intermittently. Sometimes when you're not at a steady speed it wobbles a little and the voltage drops.