When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Will a bad voltage regulator make my sporty not start. When I try to turn it over it wont start checked the battery good as well as the stator (what i could check with the bike not running) anything else i could check or would it be the voltage regulator? Thanks 09 sporty 883
Does not make sense that it would be your VR if your battery is good. The stator produces AC power and the VR converts AC to DC to charge the battery. If the battery is good, your VR logically is working if your bike has been running. With a good battery, your bike should start so probably another issue i.e. starter, coil, or even a bad connection perhaps bad ground. Does your bike turn over but won't start or nothing i.e. no lights, etc.?
If the battery has over ~12.6 volts, check the battery cables, both ends of each one.
Make sure there isn't any corrosion at either end especially the negative connection to the engine.
The early EFI Sportsters have issues with corrosion at the fuse box.
Check your fuses and relays, clean the contacts.
Do you hear the fuel pump run?
The ignition and fuel injectors are controlled by one relay, the starter motor is a second relay.
If you do not hear the fuel pump but it turns over, switch the two relays.
If you then hear the fuel pump but it doesn't turn over you have a bad relay.
Does not make sense that it would be your VR if your battery is good. The stator produces AC power and the VR converts AC to DC to charge the battery. If the battery is good, your VR logically is working if your bike has been running. With a good battery, your bike should start so probably another issue i.e. starter, coil, or even a bad connection perhaps bad ground. Does your bike turn over but won't start or nothing i.e. no lights, etc.?
all lights work does turn over just when i try to start it it acts like a dead battery. And it struggles to start
If the battery has over ~12.6 volts, check the battery cables, both ends of each one.
Make sure there isn't any corrosion at either end especially the negative connection to the engine.
The early EFI Sportsters have issues with corrosion at the fuse box.
Check your fuses and relays, clean the contacts.
Do you hear the fuel pump run?
The ignition and fuel injectors are controlled by one relay, the starter motor is a second relay.
If you do not hear the fuel pump but it turns over, switch the two relays.
If you then hear the fuel pump but it doesn't turn over you have a bad relay.
If the battery has over ~12.6 volts, check the battery cables, both ends of each one.
Make sure there isn't any corrosion at either end especially the negative connection to the engine.
The early EFI Sportsters have issues with corrosion at the fuse box.
Check your fuses and relays, clean the contacts.
Also its around 12.2
Do you hear the fuel pump run?
The ignition and fuel injectors are controlled by one relay, the starter motor is a second relay.
If you do not hear the fuel pump but it turns over, switch the two relays.
If you then hear the fuel pump but it doesn't turn over you have a bad relay.
when i try to start it smoke comes out around the intake and it smells like fuel if that has anything to do with a bad fuel pump
Last edited by Matthew Valinsky; Nov 14, 2018 at 10:14 AM.
all lights work does turn over just when i try to start it it acts like a dead battery. And it struggles to start
Do you mean struggles to crank? Like uhh uhh clic clic. Voltage regulator normally does not keep it from starting with a well-charged battery. Of course, once running, the battery light will be on. Normal battery voltage is 12.6 or so.DC.. Most people do not realize that 12.1 is a very weak battery.
A good stator and regulator will show about 14.5 or so at the battery when at 2000 rpm. (ignore other voltage at different RPM. ) Always check also for AC when checking the voltage. Should be none. That will tell you regulator is defective. Also, check lead of battery and wire. That shows you have good connections.
You need an AC/DC volt ohm meter.
When cranking, the battery voltage of a good battery should drop below 9.6. If it does, the battery needs replaced.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 14, 2018 at 10:59 AM.
Acting like a dead battery is clic clic clic....so if it turns over, it is probably not your charging system and probably another issue.
You need 3 things to start.....spark, fuel, and compression. Check the easy stuff first...spark, then fuel, then compression. process of elimination.
bought a new battery wont turn over still it wants to but it struggles. Check the spark plugs they seem fine not even a couple Months old. They do have black on the ends... it had a high idle problem so i took the intake mainfold and reinstalled to fix it. Fixed the high idle and Thats when my problems started to happen. What else can i check os. I checked the new battery just now and i realized that When I tried to turn it over the voltage dropped to 11.9 volts what could cause this significan drop
Last edited by Matthew Valinsky; Nov 14, 2018 at 03:23 PM.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.