Voltage Regulator issue or something else?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Columbus,Ohio
Voltage Regulator issue or something else?
noticed on my '05 Road King that my headlaps & passing lamps will dim then go regular brightness and back again. not steady back and forth, but noticable. checked wiring (as much as possible without tearing the bike down) and found nothng loose. Seeing as this is the only 'issue' and nothing else going on electically, is this telling me something that I'm not knowledageable on?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
My 2011 does this, but just barely noticeable. Don't really see it on the road, but up against the garage door, or other building, you can tell. They brighten up when I hit the gas, but dim slightly when idling.
I thought it was normal.
I thought it was normal.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
They should brighten up when you hit the gas; at idle you're basically running off battery power @ about 12.7v or below, when you goose the throttle RPMs go up and the system starts pushing about 14.2v, more power more light. If its getting real dim and your voltage is dropping below 12 while idling, it may be an indicator that its time for a new battery.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You can do some simple checks using a multimeter. With everything switched off your battery should give you close to 13 volts across the terminals. Switch ignition on and it should only drop a little. Start the engine and at tick-over the voltage should increase to around 14 volts. Raise engine speed to around 2-2,500rpm and it should max out at around 14.6 volts. If voltage keeps increasing with engine speed and does not settle your regulator is probably shot. If you are not getting numbers close to those you need to make further checks, to identify if you have a problem and where it is.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 33
From: Meredith NH
mine did this once and then would'nt start. Turned out it was the small ground wire on the battery was loose.
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Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
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From: Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
Hi! I have a 2001 Ultra Classic w/Fuel Injection. I was riding and the check engine light came on, I got stopped and the bike wouldn't start - nothing - no lights, gauges, etc. Put the charger on it for awhile and then the lights were back, and the bike started. Couldn't find anything wrong. Took it out for a test ride, got about 10 minutes in and the check engine light was back on and the bike started running rough. When I stopped, the bike was dead again. Put a meter across the battery and get about 12.4 V. The three things that I think it could be are battery, voltage regulator, or stator. Anyone know of a likely candidate?
Thanks.
Rick
Thanks.
Rick