97 M900 charging system

[jimbonerz28]

I have an issue with my charging system. I have never had a problem with it before but I recentlly changed my headlamp out for a dual bulb harley headlight. everything was working fine but when i wired the headlamp i soldered the connetions and had one with a sharp point that i think poked a hole in the heat shrink tubing and was shorting somewhere. I blew the headlamp fuse, I replaced it with a new one and it blew it also. so I traced over my wiring and found the the spur. nipped it off with wire cutters and retaped it then replaced the fuse again . after this I had no problems. headlamp worked fine, high/low beam fine. well about two day later I decided to ride my bike to lunch. bike started fine,headed out rode it about say 10 miles, got some lunch (mcrib), then headed back to work. bike started fine again. I took the long way back to work (so i could enjoy my bike) about 15-18 miles and did not notice any problem. but just as I almost got back to work and was sitting the left turn lane waiting on traffic I went to take off got about 10 feet and my bike just died. I mean not stalled but dead like you shut off the key, no lights, no power, so i hit the starter and nothing. I pushed it across the steet and into my shop. turned the key off and back on and nothing, dead as a door nail.

[jimbonerz28]

I rolled a battery booster over hooked it up and turn on the key, I got power, I hit the starter and she fired right up, I let it run a few moments and shut it off, then restarted the bike no problem, I unhooked the booster and it runs ok but the headlamp is weak  and it is slightly missing, running rough. I took my multimeter and checked the voltage at the battery and it like 10.5. I shut the bike off and the battery comes up to like 11.8 but when I turn the key on it drops to 8.5 and startes dropping fast. I reboosted the bike and started it, checked the voltage with the booster and its like 12.2 and steady but if I unhook the booster it drops to about 10 volts. I unplugged the headlamp and it is still the same. stayes the same even if you rev the bike.

Has my stator of rectifier gone bad? did the extra headlamp knock it out? or do i just have a bad battery? Did I short something with the wiring?

is there a procedure for checking the stator and the rectifier? I know i can get the battery load tested and will, but shouldnt the voltage be 13-14 volts with the bike running?
any help will be greatly appreciated.

[printman]

Should be charging between 13- 14 volts running, 12.6 or so volts no power on.

The wires running from the stator to the rectifier (my older 900SS has 2 yellow, I believe yours may have 3) They should ohm out around 100 ohms thru the stator, you can run that back thru the rectifier, seeing if there is a consistant ohm reading. Had mine go out on the 2nd day I owned mine. 

[erkishhorde]

Just checking, but you checked your 30amp battery charging fuse by the battery, right? It's separate from the other fuses so it's easy to forget.

[jimbonerz28]

yes the extra large 30 amp fuse with it own holder next to the battery box. it is good also. the only fuse i have ever blown is the 15 amp headlamp fuse under the seat that is in the box with 5 fuses and 3 extras

[printman]

Another thought have you tried an amp draw down test?  Tests the draw on the battery with no power on, seeing what is being drawn all the time.

[Howie]

Fully charge the battery and start the bike, ah, just follow this link, it saves a lot of typing for me:
http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/fault-finding-guide.php

Pay particular attention to the stator to regulator connection that printman is referring to.

 

[jimbonerz28]

I would like to thank everyone on this board who responded to my problem, I really appreciate everyones input and advise in helping me get my bike running again (the two yellow wires from the stator to the rectifier were fatigued).

This is one of the most helpful, friendly, and genuine boards I have ever been a member of and am proud to be a member here.

I don't have much but I will help any member here in anyway I can. I live in Midland, Texas and if any member here is in my area and needs a hand, feel free to ask.

My previous bike was a Honda CBR 954, they say "you meet the nicest people on a Honda" but I beg to differ, after being on both bikes I can honestly say you wont find anyone better than a fellow MONSTER PILOT

[greenohawk69]

Bumped this thread up as it has some good information on what to look if your charging system is problematic.  Fortunately for me, my problem was the aforementioned wires that had the coating rumped through from rubbing.  Used some electrical to wrap the wires and it appears that the problem is solved.