Charging issues
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22
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From: us
Charging issues
Hello all,
I'm having troubles with my charging system and I'm looking for advice.
I have 2007 XL 883 5,300 miles on it.
I'm a complete newbie at this, but I'm looking forward to learning how to fix my bike myself. I have an appt. with my dealer next Wednesday, but I'd love to fix it myself and cancel the appt!
A couple of days ago after I had rev'd my engine higher than usual in neutral, the engine and battery light came on. I checked the DTO code and it came up po562 which i found to be low voltage. The battery seemed fine so it was a surprise.
Later, I took it out for a ride and the lights weren't lit, I thought it was OK but after about a 1/4 mile both lights came back on. At first the problem was intermittent. On off, on off, mostly coming on at red lights.
Next thing I noticed was, after pressing the run switch and the initial engine light went off, it would come back on again,before I turned over the motor.
Then things got worse. The lights started staying on all the time and it's not starting up as smoothly.
First thing I did was look for loose wires and found none, everything looks clean and feels tight.
Went out and bought a multi-meter and checked the battery after it had sat 24hours. it read 11.8V
Started the bike and it read 13.9 at idle.
rev'd the bike higher than idle and got no change in voltage reading.
I'm not sure if I have a bad battery or if the stator or voltage regulator isn't charging the battery.
Now the engine turns over but it seems there not enough power for it to start.
I have a battery tender coming Friday. How can i test the battery to see if it's ok?
Any advice is very much appreciated.
Steve
I'm having troubles with my charging system and I'm looking for advice.
I have 2007 XL 883 5,300 miles on it.
I'm a complete newbie at this, but I'm looking forward to learning how to fix my bike myself. I have an appt. with my dealer next Wednesday, but I'd love to fix it myself and cancel the appt!
A couple of days ago after I had rev'd my engine higher than usual in neutral, the engine and battery light came on. I checked the DTO code and it came up po562 which i found to be low voltage. The battery seemed fine so it was a surprise.
Later, I took it out for a ride and the lights weren't lit, I thought it was OK but after about a 1/4 mile both lights came back on. At first the problem was intermittent. On off, on off, mostly coming on at red lights.
Next thing I noticed was, after pressing the run switch and the initial engine light went off, it would come back on again,before I turned over the motor.
Then things got worse. The lights started staying on all the time and it's not starting up as smoothly.
First thing I did was look for loose wires and found none, everything looks clean and feels tight.
Went out and bought a multi-meter and checked the battery after it had sat 24hours. it read 11.8V
Started the bike and it read 13.9 at idle.
rev'd the bike higher than idle and got no change in voltage reading.
I'm not sure if I have a bad battery or if the stator or voltage regulator isn't charging the battery.
Now the engine turns over but it seems there not enough power for it to start.
I have a battery tender coming Friday. How can i test the battery to see if it's ok?
Any advice is very much appreciated.
Steve
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Both those voltages are low, you should be getting around 14.6 while the engine is running. Go to the DIY section where you will find tips on testing for charging problems, in the stickies of the electrical section.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
During your high rev you may have damaged a keyway on the crankshaft that now is allowing the rotor to spin freely. I've heard of this happening but I'm not exactly certain how your rotor stays in place on the crank on your ride.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
i had very similar issues, took it to the dealership and they claimed it was my "aftermarket" battery. I ended up just going on Amazon and buying a replacement regulator and that fixed the issue. The regulators tend to go out very easily on these bikes. It would be best to take the proper steps to test the system, but i would be willing to bet a regulator is the issue.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
i had very similar issues, took it to the dealership and they claimed it was my "aftermarket" battery. I ended up just going on Amazon and buying a replacement regulator and that fixed the issue. The regulators tend to go out very easily on these bikes. It would be best to take the proper steps to test the system, but i would be willing to bet a regulator is the issue.
I agree completely...but i would still test for a bad alternator and battery, before I just went and replaced regulator...
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22
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From: us
Thanks for all the help guys.
I'm running a HD battery , I called Autozone and they said the readings they get for motorcycle batteries aren't accurate. I don't think they know how to do them at my location!
I'm going to try to do a load test on my own with starting the bike with the ignition disengaged.
Right now, I have my battery out of the bike and on the tender. Unfortunately, I won't have the relays I purchased until Monday.
I'll do the load test on the battery when I get home from work.
After that I'll continue to test the Regulator and Stator
But.............
...................I was wondering....... since when I rev the motor I get no increased voltage reading from the battery, does that mean there are definitely problems with either the Stator or Regulator?
I'm running a HD battery , I called Autozone and they said the readings they get for motorcycle batteries aren't accurate. I don't think they know how to do them at my location!
I'm going to try to do a load test on my own with starting the bike with the ignition disengaged.
Right now, I have my battery out of the bike and on the tender. Unfortunately, I won't have the relays I purchased until Monday.
I'll do the load test on the battery when I get home from work.
After that I'll continue to test the Regulator and Stator
But.............
...................I was wondering....... since when I rev the motor I get no increased voltage reading from the battery, does that mean there are definitely problems with either the Stator or Regulator?
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Thanks for all the help guys.
I'm running a HD battery , I called Autozone and they said the readings they get for motorcycle batteries aren't accurate. I don't think they know how to do them at my location!
I'm going to try to do a load test on my own with starting the bike with the ignition disengaged.
Right now, I have my battery out of the bike and on the tender. Unfortunately, I won't have the relays I purchased until Monday.
I'll do the load test on the battery when I get home from work.
After that I'll continue to test the Regulator and Stator
But.............
...................I was wondering....... since when I rev the motor I get no increased voltage reading from the battery, does that mean there are definitely problems with either the Stator or Regulator?
I'm running a HD battery , I called Autozone and they said the readings they get for motorcycle batteries aren't accurate. I don't think they know how to do them at my location!
I'm going to try to do a load test on my own with starting the bike with the ignition disengaged.
Right now, I have my battery out of the bike and on the tender. Unfortunately, I won't have the relays I purchased until Monday.
I'll do the load test on the battery when I get home from work.
After that I'll continue to test the Regulator and Stator
But.............
...................I was wondering....... since when I rev the motor I get no increased voltage reading from the battery, does that mean there are definitely problems with either the Stator or Regulator?
The 13.9 VDC you measured, should be adequate, assuming that the stator & regulator are supplying enough amps (current).
If you are still running the original (07) battery, I would replace it. Some folks claim longer life than 5-6 years, but most of those live in cooler/colder climates where heat is not a factor and the bike sits winterized 6 months a year on a Battery Tender.
I live in a hot southern climate and have yet to get (in 90,000 miles) more than 14-15 months out of a Harley AGM Sporty battery.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,537
Likes: 6,412
From: Honah Lee
Have battery checked first. Then at 2000rpm or so check the voltage at battery for around 14.8 DC volts. All OK? If not you may have done this like my right alternator rotor in the attachment. Need to put an AC (yes AC) meter on the three wire going to the regulator (unhook from regulator) (coming from primary) and make sure you are getting voltage on all three to a ground (about 36 volts on each one on my Softail..not sure about yours and it's possible you only have two wires.) That way you will know if it's the alternator.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:05 AM.
OK I gotta ask...what the heck are you doing reving the hell out of your engine in neutral in the first place??? 