Voltage gauge issue
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the in dash voltmeter is notoriously inaccurate- confirm readings with a meter at the battery ( or tender plug if you have one)
slow crank? smartest to check and clean the battery cable connections...on both ends of each cable.
you could charge the battery with a charger ( not a tender) and load test at autozone.
while you are at it, loosen the starter bolts and retighten to ensure a good ground
these basic steps are free- and once you know that this is good- you can better find a fault if it still exists.
you can look at the charging system, if you know how to use a meter, this is easy
low voltage from a bad battery can load the charging system abnormally and damage it.
low voltage may also screw up the starter solenoid.
mike
slow crank? smartest to check and clean the battery cable connections...on both ends of each cable.
you could charge the battery with a charger ( not a tender) and load test at autozone.
while you are at it, loosen the starter bolts and retighten to ensure a good ground
these basic steps are free- and once you know that this is good- you can better find a fault if it still exists.
you can look at the charging system, if you know how to use a meter, this is easy
low voltage from a bad battery can load the charging system abnormally and damage it.
low voltage may also screw up the starter solenoid.
mike
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 564
Likes: 9
From: Texas gulf coast
Check your stator output . I had the same problem and found the stator was fried. Not too difficult a replacement job except running the wire through the case. Search for the thread in the electrical section that tells how to check your charging system.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 781
Likes: 1
From: central, ohio
2012 had a voltage regulator recall. My 2012 had the exact same issue. Take it in and see if it is one of the bad ones. I gave them hell about my battery and made them replace it too.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Chances are very good it's your VR. Possibly your alternator, but most likely your VR. 2012; I believe you are still on warranty. I would suggest you take it to a dealer and get the VR checked out. You actually can damage your battery and/or your alternator running with a bad VR not to mention that getting stranded is a distinct possibility. If I'm not mistaken HD had a run of bad VR's.
Even if you are off warranty get it checked out especially if you don't know what you are doing electrically.
Even if you are off warranty get it checked out especially if you don't know what you are doing electrically.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
2012 was a bad year for voltage regulators...Harley had a bad batch of them.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
Mine went out at 300 miles. Heat will make a bad one act up. The recall stated that they would replace any of the bad lot thru June 11, 2014, independent of the warranty status of the bike.
Check with your dealer and remind him of the recall on a large batch of 2012 regulators.
https://app.box.com/s/d3794df7ba0c20cd178e
should be all the info you need to check to see if yours is in the affected batch.
You will probably trigger a voltage discharge light and a check engine light if you have a bad voltage regulator.
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