Alternator Problem

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Dec 30, 2007 | 04:26 PM

dksportster

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Alternator Problem

Hi all. Hope everyone had great Christmas and hasa Happy New Year. Now for my problem. My son owns a 05 883L and is having a problem with the alternator or charging system. After about 20 minutes on a full battery charge the light on the speedo comes on for the battery. Bought a new one and the same problem. I am not real familiar with the charging system on a sportser. Does in have an alterator that charges the battery? I also started the bike on a full charge and pulled the positive lead off the battery and the bike died. I am assuming that it should stay running like a car does when the alternator is putting out enough current to keep it running. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Dec 30, 2007 | 04:32 PM

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 4,344

Likes: 67

From: Hooterville, Fl.

RE: Alternator Problem

Use the search feature and you can probably find what you need. Possible regulator.

Welcome to HDForums from South Florida.

Dec 30, 2007 | 04:45 PM

miacycles

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 4,468

Likes: 12

From: Bluffton, South Carolina

RE: Alternator Problem

Bike will die if you unhook the battery. It is not some cars. Do you have a multi-meter? If so set it for DC volts and see what the voltage is, then start the bike it should read above 13.2 volts. If not then you have problems with your charging system. Get a service manual it will give you the complete testing procedure fo output, stator and regulator.
Hope this helps

Dec 30, 2007 | 05:03 PM

Lone Watie

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,215

Likes: 2

From: Northern Arizona

RE: Alternator Problem

I agree; sounds like voltage regulator from what I know about automobile charging systems. The following troubleshooting possibilities are from my '08 Dyna Service Manual for electrical systems:

ALTERNATOR DOES NOT CHARGE
1. Voltage Regulator module not grounded
2. Engine ground wire loose or broken
3. Faulty voltage regulator module
4. Loose or broken wires in charging circuit
5. Faulty stator and/or rotor

ALTERNATOR CHARGE RATE IS BELOW NORMAL
1. Weak or damaged battery (which you can rule out as you bought a new battery)
2. Loose connections
3. Faulty voltage regulator module
4. Faulty stator and/or rotor

Others can back me up on this one, but I believe if you have a multimeter/voltmeter you should be able to test the dynamic output of your alternator with the engine running with the multimeter probes on the battery terminals. I'm guessing here, but it seems your alternator output should be a bit above 12.7 Volts with engine running. If your regulator is bad and/or stator/rotor on the alternator, the new battery is running the show, which can only do until battery is drained. If you're good with electricity check for a short to ground on your charging system wires to try and rule out the voltage regulator. Hope this helps. I'm not a mechanic by any means, so if anyone can provide better advice, I'm sure they'll chime in here.

Watie

Dec 30, 2007 | 05:12 PM

Lone Watie

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,215

Likes: 2

From: Northern Arizona

RE: Alternator Problem

Unless I'm missing it somewhere, my service manual does not give me electrical system diagnostics; as a matter of fact the NOTE says for diagnostic information see the ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL. I guess either the small amount of motorcycle electrical information wouldn't fit in my manual or the $60 wasn't enough to cover it. Which reason should I choose?[:@]

Quote:

ORIGINAL: miacycles

Bike will die if you unhook the battery. It is not some cars. Do you have a multi-meter? If so set it for DC volts and see what the voltage is, then start the bike it should read above 13.2 volts. If not then you have problems with your charging system. Get a service manual it will give you the complete testing procedure fo output, stator and regulator.
Hope this helps

Dec 30, 2007 | 06:24 PM

Rides2007Harley

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,271

Likes: 2

From:

RE: Alternator Problem

Looks like you have already gotten some good advice.

Welcome from IL

Dec 30, 2007 | 07:05 PM

dksportster

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

RE: Alternator Problem

Thanks all that was the same problem I had on my 2000 Softail. Harley shop replaced the voltage regulator. I wasn't sure if they were built pretty much the same or not. I sure do appreciate the advice. Another gentleman on the sportser forum gave me the voltage reading that I should be seeing infront of the voltage regulator (AC) and leaving the voltage regulator (DC). Thanks again.