2005 Ultra: Voltage meter bouncing all over

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Sep 15, 2021 | 08:28 AM

#11

470004

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From: New York

I had a similar situation where the volt meter was jumping all over during a ride. I went straight to my Indy shop and it turn out to be a bad battery.

Sep 17, 2021 | 03:29 PM

#12

wickedsharp

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From: Boston

Had the battery tested and it’s good to go, no issues. The clamp that holds the battery down was really loose so I took care of that.

Took the outer fairing off and found THREE broken support brackets. Ordered stuff to fix that. The back of the volt meter looks clean with good contacts.

Tomorrow I’ll put the test light and meter out and do all the stator/regulator checks.

Sep 18, 2021 | 11:42 AM

#13

wickedsharp

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From: Boston

So my bike is single phase (2 wires from stator). All of the electrical tests are good. All wiring connections are very solid (grounds, etc.)

So, I keep thinking about how it only bounces around after the bike is warmed up. I had an older Honda riding mower once that would shut down once it got hot. Replaced the regulator to resolve it.

I think I’m going to buy a regulator.

Sep 18, 2021 | 03:56 PM

#14

dajogejr

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From: SE Michigan

I’d warm it up…then test directly at the battery.
If the voltage matches, agree…but I’d hate to replace a regulator if the gauge is flaky.

Sep 19, 2021 | 06:31 AM

#15

BigBlue1!

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Joined: Jun 2021

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From: Butler pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedsharp

During a long group ride last Saturday, I noticed my voltage gauge bouncing around between 12 and 14 1/2. A couple times it went lower and the engine light came on. Then it crept back above 12 and the engine light went away. For some portions of the ride it was steady at a little over 14 (normal).

This is an early warning to replace the regulator, right?

what’s a good brand to use if not genuine HD?

i had the same issue of my voltage guage bouncing.

I changed regulator. Battery and still didnt fix. Started by getting the low voltage code.

turned out my stator was slowly going bad.

so I replaced stator , battery, compensator, and just replaced starter clutch. Problems fixed.

my bike is an 09 ultra so they have the bad batch of that crap. Lol.

FYI I used all drag specialty parts. Works great and highly recommend by my Indy bike mechanic.

Sep 19, 2021 | 08:41 AM

#16

elPrez

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From: Forest Hill, Md

I've had that issue with my 05 Ultra. One time it was a loose battery cable. Second time I checked voltage regulator, it was good. Checked and cleaned the connections to the volt meter, it was good. I noticed that if I tapped the glass of the guage it would jump back to normal. Finally replaced the guage and it's working perfectly.

Sep 19, 2021 | 10:04 AM

#17

wickedsharp

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From: Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by elPrez

In your case, did the battery or engine light ever come on?

Sep 20, 2021 | 08:22 AM

#18

elPrez

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From: Forest Hill, Md

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedsharp

In your case, did the battery or engine light ever come on?

No. I'd just happen to glance at the volt gauge and it would either be very low, full left or moving all over. The loose battery cable could have just been a coincidence and not related since it did it later and wasn't a loose connection. Hitting the glass with my knuckle would correct it for a short time which is why I figured it was a faulty gauge. Around $40 and a few minutes work and all is solid.