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Feb 10, 2017 | 02:34 PM

sk1sk1

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Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 18

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From: San Francisco, CA

Need help

I have a 2012 Harley Nightster with a charging problem . I replaced the battery, that lasted about 2 weeks before bike would not start. Replaced regulator, which lasted 2 weeks before bike would not start. I know there are only 3 components to the charging system, so could it be the stator? Even my mechanic is baffled by this. The lights and horn works, the bike just won't turn over

Thanks for any help

Scott

Feb 10, 2017 | 02:42 PM

WKNDS

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 4,995

Likes: 2,082

From: Newport,TN area

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk1sk1

Might check for any parasitic losses and do check all the grounds...
Out of curosity, which regulator did you go with? Cycle Electric?

But other than that - indeed the stator would be suspect.
I just swtiched out the primary gear (883->1200) and IMHO,
it's not really that bad of a job... Good luck.

T.

Mar 14, 2017 | 03:31 PM

sk1sk1

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From: San Francisco, CA

Well, i brought it back to mechanic and he replaced stator....3 weeks later, battery dead again. Brought to different mechanic who also could not find anything wrong. Leave it to me to have the only Harley that can't be fixed, so incredibly frustrating

Mar 14, 2017 | 05:02 PM

Maximus924

Cruiser

Joined: May 2016

Posts: 223

Likes: 31

From: Sonoma County

When your bike is running, does a volt meter show your battery charging? I would start with the basics and check voltage with an engine off vs. running to make sure theres an increase while running. You might find out that it is charging, but you have some sort of other drain?

Also, I am assuming you have checked all of the grounds?

good luck, wiring problems are annoying.

Mar 14, 2017 | 05:08 PM

sk1sk1

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From: San Francisco, CA

Maximus924....thanks for responding. Yes, that is the strange part, both mechanics say the charging system checks out fine but they can't locate the actual source of the drain. All voltage checks out ok, grounds check out ok, relays seem ok......im at my wits end with this thing!!!

Mar 15, 2017 | 03:32 PM

shanneba

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 1,649

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From: Indianapolis

I seem to remember reading about some of the early EFI Sportsters having some issues with the Idle Control Valve cycling when turned off. It seemed to be traced to moisture / corrosion in the fuse / relay block. The cycling of the valve would run the battery down overnight.

Do you hear a faint buzzing sound close to the air cleaner after the bike is shut off?

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...ition-off.html

Mar 15, 2017 | 03:46 PM

sk1sk1

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Novice

Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 18

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From: San Francisco, CA

Need help

[QUOTE=shanneba;16031938]I seem to remember reading about some of the early EFI Sportsters having some issues with the Idle Control Valve cycling when turned off. It seemed to be traced to moisture / corrosion in the fuse / relay block. The cycling of the valve would run the battery down overnight.

Do you hear a faint buzzing sound close to the air cleaner after the bike is shut off?

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...ition-off.html[/QUO

Hi Shanneba,

Thank you for your response....i do not hear a buzzing noise after the bike is shut down. The mechanics have checked for corrosion in the fuse/relay and it seems fine