-=> Mark Hofmann wrote to All <=-   
      
      
    MH> Started having some battery related problems this week with my Harley.   
    MH> First noticed different sounding starts - like it was struggling to   
    MH> crank.   
      
    MH> Was going to go out with my wife on Friday evening and it wouldn't   
    MH> start - just after riding it home from work.   
      
    MH> Since my battery is 8 years old, I figured that was the first place to   
    MH> start. Replaced the battery - all was well - at least I thought.   
      
    MH> Went on a long cruize into PA with a friend, stopped for gas, and it   
    MH> wouldn't re-start.  Thankfully Progressive Insurance pulled through and   
    MH> in 20 minutes, got me a hot shot.   
      
    MH> We then rode straight back home - about a 1 1/2hr trip one way.  Rode   
    MH> it straight to the shop where I bought it, since he is going to check   
    MH> it out.   
      
    MH> The timing was perfect, as my lights dimmed, odometer went out, check   
    MH> engine light came on, just as I was riding down the street to his shop.   
      
    MH> The problem is either the stator or the voltage regulator.  I won't   
    MH> know for sure until he checks it out, but I'm just about certain it is   
    MH> one of them.   
      
    MH> Since I don't want to get stranded again, I want to make sure someone   
    MH> that is an expert checks it.  :)   
      
    MH> At least it happened next to a sub shop, and right next to that was a   
    MH> beer distributor.  Got to have a few beers and wait until they arrived   
    MH> for the hot-shot.   
      
    MH> It was still a fun ride and had a great time dispite the issue.   
      
    MH> I should know the results tomorrow on what needs to be replaced.   
      
   Here are a few tips for checking the stator...   
      
   For grounded stator...   
      
   Turn off the motorcycle's ignition and disconnect the plug leading from the   
   voltage regulator to the crankcase. Measure the resistance between one hole on   
   the stator plug and a known ground point on the motorcycle. Ensure that the   
   meter is reading resistance on the Rx1 setting. Verify that there is no   
   continuity between the stator plug and ground. Any reading other than zero   
   means that your stator is bad. Measure the resistance in between both holes on   
   the stator plug. The meter should indicate 0.1 to 0.2 ohms across the socket. A   
   lower resistance means that the stator is bad.   
      
   For output....   
      
   Start the motorcycle. Leave the plug from the voltage regulator to the   
   crankcase disconnected. Run the engine at approximately 2,000 RPM. Measure the   
   AC output from the stator plug with the digital multimeter set to read "Volts   
   AC". Check that the output is 32-40 volts. If it's not between those two   
   readings, then replace the alternator.   
      
      
   Voltage regualtor tests as follows.  You're going to need a trouble indicator   
   light and the multimeter again.   
      
   With the regulator unplugged, touch the trouble light to a ground and each of   
   the pins in the regulator plug one at a time.  The regualtor is bad if the   
   light comes on for any of the pins.  If no lights come on, then you can do a   
   voltage output test.  Replug the regualtor, start the motor in neutral and   
   place the postive and negative leads on the respective battery posts.  Rev to   
   3300 RPM.  You should get a reading of 14.3-14.7 volts. If not within this   
   rage, then replace the regulator.    
      
   Hope this helps in the future.     
      
      
        
      
      
   Bill   
      
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