How to test the Harley-Davidson battery, stator and voltage regulator.

[@ronaldpoddig6188]

Helped a ton. Glad it is just a regulator and not the stator.

[@davejones7667]

This is the clearest explanation I have found- thanks Ricky

[@paulvaldez4628]

You break it all down very simply and to the point you've definitely got a new subscriber

[@arlendrew]

My dude thank you so much for breaking this down and making it easy to understand.

[@JustMe-hk1gr]

Thanks Ricky. Well explained for some DIY. Harley dealerships are getting ridiculously high for trouble shooting. You Videos same me a lot of maintenence time and you get right to the point

[@jerryenriquez5401]

Thanks needed it! Info is on point and very easy to follow. Looking fir a good mechanic in Cali.. funny harley shops dont really work on later year bikes. 1st Harley.. 04 electra glide Classic. Rode dirt mostly as a kid then bought my 1st Gsxr 750 slingshot when i was 17. Lost alot of friends, riding stupid.. put bike up, had kids n i kinda felt my number was up. Turned 50 , i told myself yeaes ago when i did i was buyng a Harley and i love it!!! Mostly ride to clear head.. i figured my 1st bike would be my learning bike and it has bigtime. But having guys like you out there droping solid info to help is just plain Awesome! Thanks again Jerry Norwalk Ca

[@LMGAZ1]

Here’s another tip. Open the derby cover. If you get a bad smells like electrical burning. More than likely your Stator is going out. You can do all the test you want and they may pass. But from my experience open up the derby cover if you can smell that electrical smell pull the primary cover off and look at the Stator you’ll see it’s starting to burn, some of the coils could be black or all of them indicates a bad Stator. I’ve seen this on Harleys and imports more than you know. Most the time when you do the test you’re usually done at cold or warm up run the bike for a while when it gets really hot and then the test start to fail,

[@ahjo9040]

literally been smelling a burning smell when i ride and now my bike wont start after i got a solid battery light on.... im really hoping its not the stator....

[@patrickcleroux5866]

Finally someone that gives clear explanation thank you so much

[@richardanderson4916]

Thank you very much for the information and making everything so clear. I've always felt intimidated electrical issues. I never had the confidence to attempt a repair. You made things very simple for me and I really appreciate it. 👍

[@blueyedrummer64]

Same scenario happened to me yesterday on Mt Hood. Major bummer. No way to jump had to be towed 1-1/2 hrs. back home. Thanks for the vid brotha! Will apply this!

[@ryanwilliamson8826]

Aye, first and foremost I send mine. Video was hella helpful. Clear, and concise. Straightforward. Sssstttrrraaiigttt up! Much thx from the 916.

[@Sam-yg7pc]

That was great very clear , however I would have loved to see a test on the voltage regulator unit ,

[@DobermansRock]

He left that out for some reason. Maybe start the bike and see what the voltage is at the battery. Possibly disconnect the Neg cable while running. If it shuts off then you know its either stator or regulator. If the stator passes all the checks he showed. Then its the regulator. Trust me on this. You don't want it to be the stator. That is a three hour job for me. Not hard just taking the whole primary off is a lot to keep track of. Cardboard for the hardware is a must as many are different lengths.

[@HarleyTrikeinFlorida]

Only way to test regulator is to look while motor is running if the battery is charging at about 14 volts. If so.... It's working....

[@playsportfun3356]

​@@HarleyTrikeinFloridahe could use his meter to test the 4 one way diodes in the rectifier.

[@RobRochon]

@@playsportfun3356 I was going to ask if the meter can test the diodes in the Harleys. I understand that the rectifiers in different models can have other electronics built into the units that complicate diode testing in rectifiers. I don't know if this applies to Harley makes or not. Is this something that you are knowledgable about?

[@whappel007]

Thx man... definitely the best version of this information I've seen easy to understand and straight to the point...thx much

[@jamiewroten92]

I mistakenly watched a Harley sponsored video first. Confused me bad, was about to order stator. Watched yours, and fortunately it’s just my regulator

[@mkelley3411]

Great video, nailed the problem with my voltage regulator. Great to check the charging system with confidence. Thank you for the education.

[@BarclayWilt]

Great video. This is 100% exactly what happened to my bike. You video made troubleshooting very simple!

[@stashostigin9927]

Another tip. With battery fully recharged to 12.8 volts. Hook leads to battery POS/NEG, next Put your meter in min/max mode (if it has the option). I got lucky and got a fluke, cheap. . Try to start bike. Read the min/max voltage taken by meter. If the max drops to 10.7 or below you have a cell in your battery that is failing. Each cell accounts for 2.133 volts, therefore if your battery drops under 10.8 during any millisecond under a load, even if it jumps back up into the range of 11 or 12 volts, a cell is shorting and not delivering the 2.133 volts it’s responsible for. Sometimes you’ll see it go below 9.5 volts. In that case 2 cells are failing

[@tamarastraughn4148]

Thanks for the clear instructions on testing. I'm headed to the garage to do this myself! Really need some wind therapy ❤

[@silverbullit89]

Nice job Ricky. Have trouble with my 07 king. Engine and battery light came on while riding. Pulled over checked cables found them a little loose. Tightened down and rode 17 mi back home with both indicators still on. Going to do your electrical testing now.

[@richardmccarthy4725]

Hey man,im in Melbourne Australia,been having some issues with my 07 softail,your video explained everything i needed to know........Great stuff man

[@WickedPissa85]

Thanks for the video. I can do mechanical stuff but I’m horrible with electrical. This was a huge help

[@kyled2580]

Very good video with very good direct instruction. That was a good call posting this up man!

[@jamessinetos9402]

This was a great video, and answered some questions… I’m having the same issue with my sportster only thing is that my bike is completely dead, I can’t test the stater on start up electrical doesn’t work not even my speedometer lights up. Hopefully these tests will help me diagnose the problem.

[@SD-pc6bg]

I’ve had this issue twice now on my road king. New battery.. month later while riding my bike just shut off. All tests came out in spec with a donor battery. Had my battery tested and it was bad. Put in new battery. Month later same thing. Bike went dead while riding. Haven’t tested battery yet. I’m sure it’s fried again. So I ekther got 2 duds off the shelf that took a shit after a month…or I have something in the charging system spiking intermittently and frying the battery. Let me know what you figure out

[@AvromCrovax]

Simple and easy to follow. Well done brother.

[@briancarpenter7367]

Ricky, at 8:45 your multimeter is set to read current (ammeter), not voltage (voltmeter). The display confirms this - you're reading a tiny 13mA, not 13V. NEVER connect an ammeter across your power source. As an ammeter is an extremely low impedance device, you are creating a circuit with infinite current which will immediately blow a protection fuse - either in the meter or on that charger pigtail. Either one of the aforementioned fuses is blown or that battery is totally dead. Great info on testing the stator though. Thank you.

[@richardthomas9639]

He never plugged the regulator back in to test the charging voltage either. that should be about 14.6volts'

[@local80g]

Very thorough explanation. Great video.

[@jeffreykeanaaina2908]

Very clear to the point and helpful. Thanks for this tutorial

[@hansolo6000]

Great explanation!! I learned a lot. Cheers from Germany.

[@josephriffle124]

When checking voltage, the meter must be set on voltage ( the indicator being a straight line with three lines above it, this indicates direct current or pulsating DC), not current (mA)

[@ray92565]

Hey Rick, question? Just brought a 2007 Harley Davidson Street glide. Check engine light keeps coming on, Harley Davidson dealership can’t seem to fix the bike. Something about a voltage overload. I have a standard radio on my bike and when riding on the freeway and turn my music up to normal check engine light comes on. It’s been to the dealer two times and they can’t seem to fix it. Any ideas on what it could be?

[@-trigger357]

electrical has always been my weakness, the way you explained it was easy to understand and I'll know tomorrow what up on my bike. thanks

[@ClandestineRider78]

Will the rectifier/voltage regulator prevent power from going to the cluster in ignition mode. I get power in accessories mode. 87 evo softail

[@Cheahdog]

I’ve been looking for a video like this… thank you for making things so clear and concise!

[@stevendonohue7432]

GREAT INSTRUCTIONS RICKY. VERY CLEAR AND SIMPLE EXPLINATIONS, EASY TO UNERSTAND WELL DONE .

[@kinttnekchong361]

This guy is great. Super clear👍👍👍

[@born2wrench]

Thanks for your time but I would like to see a test on the regulator . We can assume it is the issue but there should be a test maybe a bench test to check input and output.

[@marcussrensen5805]

thank you . thank you and thank you!!this video saved me 800+ dollars.!!! Thank YOU!!

[@rickeyvarga5432]

Diagnostics 101 bro, great little video!

[@mikea4150]

Very cool , thanks for this vid man. I didn't know how to do any of this stuff before I watched this vid.

[@robertpugh5244]

Thanks Ricky - EXACTLY what I needed to know, and how to do it !

[@mikecampbell3477]

Thanks man. I’m going to check my sporty out this weekend. One dumb question. After my bike broke down and got jumped. And that out on me just like you explained. Now it won’t start, so do I get jumped again to check the stator with the engine on test?

[@Joe-wk7cs]

Great video. Appreciate the way you lay it out.

[@anthony-wu8ky]

I did exactly what you said and you were on point. Thank you.

[@ginoabalos1236]

Awesome video... I have a strange issue with my bike. On idle i only get 12.5 to 12.6v charge. When i rev the bike to 1.5k i get around 13v... and at 1.8k rpm i get 14.2v... Stator and rectifiers have been replaced twice, tested stators and no issues. Can bad grounding cause this? Or is this normal with some softails?

[@vincenzopalumbo2176]

Exactly what I needed to know.. and in a way I understand.. thank you 💯

[@chuckfast6678]

Why was the 'MULTIMETER (not voltmeter) set on the 200mA during that last test? Also with the bike running, voltage at the battery (actually out of the Voltage Regulator should be around 14VDC on idle and not more than perhaps 15.5 at high revs if I recall.

[@Billy-jo3bt]

This might be dumb but I had the same shit happen. All my gauges died then my lights then the engine. I’m checking the continuity on the stator. They all read 0.01 except for one of them which was 0.00. As long as it doesn’t say open line still am I good or is the 0.0 bad still?

[@amermuscle]

What regulator for a 2012 heritage I think going inside i dont have the tools so may try this 1st

[@WALTRUBY]

Outstanding video. Exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you. FYI: Your flag is displayed backwards. The union should be to the upper left. 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@zafershaheen7457]

Thanks for the video. Is the bike going to shut down while it's on if the stator not working and battery empty while driving ???

[@RickyHD]

Yes the bike will die if the stator or rectifiers fried bro!

[@zafershaheen7457]

@@RickyHD I changed yesterday the rectifier and the battery just in case and the bike now is working great. No battery or engine sign on the speedometer. Thanks God it's not the stator . That's bro for your video it help a lot

[@13BUDSTER]

Great help, thanks. Is there a test for crank position sensor?. I know it not electrical, but it does start the bike, or prevent it from starting if it is defective. How can I tell?

[@chrissoroberts3532]

Thanks brother helped my old arse out big time, been trying to figure this out on my fxdx cheers! 👌✌️

[@hdclassic-sv4sn]

Thanks for the video, very easy to follow and helpful

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Hello Ricky HD I have a 91 Sporty XLH1200, it consists of a single phase stator. The battery is about a year old, I use an HD bat tender, and the starter whips right over. I got back from a ride and smoke is seen down by the shifter. I shut engine down. the 2 pin connector between stator and RR was extremely hot. The reg. shorted the Bat+ wire to ground internally and no continuity between a.c. input and charge wire. there is a circuit brkr between Bat+ and charge wire and wire to ignition The stator is good as its resistance is .3 ohms and puts out around 65 volts at 2500 rpm. I am trying to understand why plug to stator got so hot. thank you very much for your help.

[@armandoquezada5559]

I have tk keep bump starting my bike. Original battery was low. Got a new one and cranks but doesn't start. I'll be picking up a meter tomorrow but would the bike still run with a bad stator with a bump start?

[@AlbertSanchez-kg6en]

Great Video as always Ricky HD. You Da Man.

[@paullussier9349]

What about bike off at battery & bike running at battery? Accurate, yes no? If yes, how important is rpm for testing. Most opinions are 2k? Is that correct? Or should it show a voltage increase even at idle?

[@nemesisxrox6773]

... couple months past but just gava check on my custom softail - battries a year old. When off n fully charged shows '12.8v'. Runnin at idle - '12-13v' flex due to lites n chit. Slight rev from 1500 rpm on up - jumps er to '14-14.2v'.

[@passionhunter2672]

Awesome informative video watching from Nz

[@jakewarzyniak5470]

Thanks for the vid, having some issues was wondering if it's voltage regulator or stator by the codes.

[@theoldboyscout3662]

The last test you did with the test light, you used a digital one, if I use the old style where it's a probe then the other end is a clip would I clip it to ground like normal?

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Frankly, I think anyone who rides should have a very good idea of these issues and when they do their oil & filter change service the air cleaner, check spark plugs, putting a meter across the battery to see state of charge would also be a good idea.

[@SteveDiRocco]

Are you doing all the tests with the trikkel charge on and connected??

[@briano3128]

Thanks for your help,so clear even I can get it 😅

[@BartlomiejHop-rq3fj]

Hi. Dyna 2001 FXDP I have problem with burning regulators.wiring ground and plus checked. I measuring at minimum stator give 20- 23V but when accelerating it rises above 75- 80 V. In 10 minutes regulator burning. Stator already checked and looking goog. any ideas pls. Thanks

[@bduff5004]

Great video. Just went through my system and it must be the rectifier. Thanks

[@dimateam2093]

Thanks for a great video. I get occasional buttery and obviously check engine light on then disappears. So far happened 3 times in one month. First time 5min second about 15 then went away on its own. Last time for 20 minutes until I came to the stop and tested charge it was below 12 volt. I shut it off let it sit for 10 min and it started and charges fine now for a week already. Tested stator the way you show in this video and it passes everything except it gives me reading on ground continuity test when bike is running. I get OL when bike is shut off but not when it’s running. Thoughts ?

[@randymccalla9995]

The light is controlled by the rrgulator

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

Have HD dealer put a scan tool, on the ECM. youll know in a sec, if anything is wrong or even if there are hidden codes, good luck.

[@alfredtorres4343]

My regulator keeps running hot and then it will not charge the battery. IV replaced it 2 times and I'm about to replace this one but I'm thinking maybe there is something else that is blowing my regulator... Any ideas?

[@LessonWithLinds]

@AlfredTorres, did you figure it out? If so, pls share…

[@chuckfast6678]

Could be a bad battery, a short or even a bad d ground.

[@josephfriedrich9792]

On a buell, battery is good. But! Within a 5 mile ride I can't watch my voltage hold a good 14.v then, float at 13.2, then 12.6, finally 11.8. But, when I let it rest, it's back at staring voltage.. Im grabbing another multimeter and checking after i get it towed from work back home, but...Vr or stator?

[@Chris_p_bacon86]

So on the part 5:30 and after where it’s testing if there’s something grounded from the stator inside the primary… mins had readings. On all 3 holes. Do I need a new stator or do I need to find the part that’s grounding?

[@canceled1111]

Great video brother, thank you for posting it!

[@DevilZ-op9cr]

Hey man, I want to ask something. I have a 48 sportster which has a problem when I push the gas on a high rpm sometimes the headlights flicker and the engine feels like it drops and sometimes the engine suddenly stops, so i have to keep it on a low rpm to avoid the engine to shutdown. Is it the stator problem? Or maybe from the combustion? Please help me because I am very confused right now 😅

[@darren3570]

Great tutorial Ricky 👍

[@robertbarger6439]

Have a 2012 dyna fat bob with this issue I put a new voltage regulator on ran fine for a day then the next day all my lights are back on sator is good any ideas

[@enriquehernandez7673]

So I have a small buggy I believe it has a stator does the stator charge the battery even when I’m running lights on the buggy ?

[@MRLOV3R970]

Thanks your video help me alot to diagnostic my bike save me couple hundreds preciate it bro thanks 🎉

[@Freedomridingcompany]

Big HELP. My 2019 Road King lost complete power while I was riding it. The head lamp (not high beam) keeps burning out (3 bulbs). I bought a meeter and will perform all these test. I'll send a follow up to what I find. Thanks, Joe

[@michaelvalenzuela9468]

Any luck

[@Freedomridingcompany]

@@michaelvalenzuela9468 I took the bike to Harley Davidson and they found an O-2 Sensor problem. Corrected the issue via computer and I haven't had an issue since. Thanks for checking.

[@michaelvalenzuela9468]

Thank you so much tryna narrow the issue down. I was riding on the freeway after work. It was raining. Bike shit down started up again and shutdown. After it just clicked ! But would start with a jumper cable. Batt reads 12.4 volt. After I try starting it with the cables it would drop and I’d have to leave it charging. And then all the lights would stay on. Blinkers brake lights.

[@Freedomridingcompany]

@@michaelvalenzuela9468 Very strange and crazy that you have to worry about that at high speeds on the highway... I didn't want to take the bike to Harley, I was afraid that they would drag out the testing and their hourly rates aren't cheap. But, I'm glad I took it in. Good luck. You tend to lose confidence in the bike

[@Rickster208]

First off, thanks for the video. I have a 2000 Fat Boy. It has 2 leads on the plug going from the stator to the regulator. When I do the continuity test, from each lead to a bolt on the frame, I get 1500+ on the meter, instead of no change. Q: stater is bad?

[@ianosborne188]

Excellent job Brother.. 👍🏻🍀

[@stabski33]

Any ideas what to look for if I’m blowing 15 amp ignition fuses??

[@xto8277]

Cant you check the stator while the bike is running if your getting 14 volts ? On the battery?

[@JohnnAttackGsxrPunx]

Hi Micky i have a 2014 street Glide and the voltimeter in the faring becomes crazy it marks 14-15 v. I changed the voltimeter regulator but the problem continues so i went to the mecanix and he said that the problem is the battery but the battery it's ok on 12 whit the bike turn off what do You think bro?

[@Stephen-bw7kl]

Hi Ricky! I found this video extremely helpful while helping my brother troubleshoot an electrical problem with his 2000 Ultra Classic. His has only two wires between the Stator & Regulator and although they showed good on the ground test and the connectivity test, when we did the AC Voltage test, we could only muster 2.3 Volts out of her. The Service Manual suggests that this is either the Stator or Rotor. Is this bought as two separate pieces? Mechanics around here aren't that forthcoming with info! LoL! Thanks

[@lennyboucher7842]

What about the other end of the voltage regulator ?? Like, what if everything is good up to the regulator but then there is a break between the regulator and.......... The battery..I guess ??? If that an option ??

[@SethHall-pb2xr]

My 93 ultra has a 2 plug stator to the regulator it only puts out 25.8 ta 2000 rpm so is that ok and bad regulator?

[@tristanturner5907]

Great video man. Thank you!

[@andreasbaumann6009]

Hi Ricky, thanks for this cool Video. Greetings from Germany!

[@timnader3306]

Dude my bike is starting up fine and about 15 minutes in to a ride it just dies I just replaced stator and v regulator when I try to start it after it dies it’s got no spark what are your thoughts

[@joeaquino5713]

Thank you brother that was very helpful 🤘🏍️🏁😎🇺🇸

[@chriskreiner1535]

Can a bad voltage regulator cause your battery to over charge and start leaking acid?

[@Willy-f6q]

Good clear info thank you sir

[@Sublime_1]

It's not all 3 wire. It can be 2. Depends what kind of stator it has.

[@cmmhelmond]

Great instruction ! Thanks 👍

[@hddm3]

Great tips bro. Thank you

[@ChrisBelmontes]

Did this test and my stator was reading 16.00, bad stator?

[@texanleons]

Dude-thank you!

[@jonbreal7373]

Great video! Thanks dude

[@whocares0692]

Thank You Sir ! Good video

[@Dragonspartan001]

You probably won't respond but can I do this same thing to test the stator and regular on a 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 classic

[@bposkier51]

'05 Harley deuce, all troubleshooting is done. stator check 16-24v at idle runs at 8.6v, some concern there, running volts to battery up to 14.3v. battery at rest 13v less than a year old. Bike backfires sometimes, mostly on decel, not frequent but often enough for troubleshoot. One concern of diode test, at black/ground wire side, OL in both directions, no clue on that one unless this has special electronics that can't be test, positive side good both directions. All said and done, has a 47 milliamp leak, takes about 6 weeks (winter) then a hard-slow startup. drain seems to be inside the fuel tank toward the rear of the tank, hear it when I touch black ground cable to battery. HELP

[@randymccalla9995]

Find a better ground for the meter.. engine off your stator unplugged from regulator.. probably shoes resistance.. same thing as a ground ( bad)

[@TheWanderingGeezer]

Well done. Thanks.