Charging issues
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 207
Likes: 447
From: Lady Lake Florida
Charging issues
I'm running into a problem when at cruise speed my voltmeter suddenly drops to 10 volts, or less, and my check engine light and battery light illuminate. This will last 15-20 minutes. The last half a dozen times the issue has corrected itself and I continue the ride. Recently the events are coming more frequently and lasting longer.
For reference, I'm running a 2007 Electra Glide police with the 103 engine, 6 Speed and ABS. The bike is largely stock except for the true dual exhaust system. The miles are around 30,000. I have checked, removed and cleaned the cables for the ground and positive to the frame and starter. All the battery terminals are tight and there is no corrosion anywhere. The battery is less than 1 year old and tests okay with a battery tester. Every time this happens I'm nowhere near a dealer to check the check engine code. Like I said, the problem corrects itself.
I'm not entirely clear about the operation of a stator. My understanding is they work or they don't as there's no intermittent failure. Maybe somebody could shed some light on that. I don't want to throw parts at the problem but indications are it might be a voltage regulator.
Any suggestions as to the next course of action?
For reference, I'm running a 2007 Electra Glide police with the 103 engine, 6 Speed and ABS. The bike is largely stock except for the true dual exhaust system. The miles are around 30,000. I have checked, removed and cleaned the cables for the ground and positive to the frame and starter. All the battery terminals are tight and there is no corrosion anywhere. The battery is less than 1 year old and tests okay with a battery tester. Every time this happens I'm nowhere near a dealer to check the check engine code. Like I said, the problem corrects itself.
I'm not entirely clear about the operation of a stator. My understanding is they work or they don't as there's no intermittent failure. Maybe somebody could shed some light on that. I don't want to throw parts at the problem but indications are it might be a voltage regulator.
Any suggestions as to the next course of action?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,564
Likes: 30,920
From: Pennsylvania
Check your MAXI Fuse and ensure it is tight in the fuse holder.
My trike did a similar thing and I finally checked the fuse and one side of the fuse was melted because it was not making good contact. Cleaned it up and put a new fuse in there and bent the holding clips together some with a small screwdriver.
Worked good after that, but I replaced the fuse holder with a new one as it had some heat damage.
Easy to check and does not cost anything.
My trike did a similar thing and I finally checked the fuse and one side of the fuse was melted because it was not making good contact. Cleaned it up and put a new fuse in there and bent the holding clips together some with a small screwdriver.
Worked good after that, but I replaced the fuse holder with a new one as it had some heat damage.
Easy to check and does not cost anything.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Eau Claire Wisconsin
Hello,
I had the same problem last year. The bike would charge fine on my 2013 Ultra and then the next ride, the volts would fluctuate around 10 and the red light would come on. Then a few miles down the road, it would fix itself.
Anyway, I replaced the voltage regulator (cheap on Ebay) and things are still great a year later.
I had the same problem last year. The bike would charge fine on my 2013 Ultra and then the next ride, the volts would fluctuate around 10 and the red light would come on. Then a few miles down the road, it would fix itself.
Anyway, I replaced the voltage regulator (cheap on Ebay) and things are still great a year later.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,900
From: Oklahoma
No guarantee, but your symptoms exactly match my voltage regulator failure. You can disconnect and clean the connections on the regulator in addition to everything else you have done, but that didn't help when I did it. A new regulator cured the problem. In the maintenance section you will find instructions on how to make sure your stator is still healthy. Do it soon or you might wind up having to replace both the regulator and stator
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 163
From: Grapevine Texas
Sounds like the weak link in the chain, the voltage regulator. Plenty of video's out there that show how to check it, with a meter, running, under load, you name it. Def check the connections, easy stuff, fuses for corrosion, etc, but yeah, I'd see what that regulator, and stator are putting out.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 357
Likes: 205
From: Eastern Washington USA
My 2004 Road King was the connector at the voltage regulator, cleaning the pins isn’t enough. Those tiny pins don’t make great contact so I carefully used an oring pick to slightly close up the female side, carefully is the key here! Back to voltage in spec and never another problem. I had removed the regulator several times for front motor mount problems and those connector pins don’t like multiple disconnect/reconnects.
While apart I did verify the correct AC volts stator output as well.
While apart I did verify the correct AC volts stator output as well.
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