| Author | Message | ||
     Mark_weiss |
Did some K-vault searching, did not find an answer. Well, except that since my Uly is an 08, it does not have the failure-prone '77' connector in front of the drive pulley (I looked anyway). Here's the problem, bike is a 2008 XB12X At a gas stop, it took two hits of the starter button. First hit just gave a clunk, next fired the bike to life. A block or so later I'm at a stop and the Check Engine light winks on. Moments after getting under way, the light is off. I ride a mile or so to the next freeway entrance, light is still off. When I stop at the entrance ramp, the light pops back on, but goes off again when I'm moving. The bike seems to be running fine. Cruising at 65, the light stays off. 30 minutes later, the light comes on again. After a few minutes, the GPS shuts off and I note that my driving lights have switched off too. The ECU has shut down auxiliary power. I have to make about 30 more miles to get to somewhere where I won't be stranded. The light stays on all of the way there, after shut-off, the fan runs for only a few seconds (should be a few minutes). I borrow a multi-tester and check the battery voltage (it's six months old). Reading is 11.8. With the bike running, the voltage climbs to 12.0 @ 3k rpm. Battery connections are tight. Ground looks OK. Charge the battery with a 10 amp charger for 90 minutes. It now shows 12.6v. After 30 minutes of sitting, still at 12.6v. Bike starts right up & battery voltage starts to fall. Increasing revs makes no difference. Voltage still slowly drops. Connect meter as a shunt to the battery to read current while running. At idle the meter shows about a 6a draw. As the revs increase, the draw decreases to near 0, but never changes to a charge. I trace the harnesses to the voltage regulator. Both connections are under the left-side scoop. One is a three cell connector with only two wires. This appears to come from the engine. An AC voltage check shows about 28 vac at idle, voltage increases quickly with rpm. I'm used to three wires coming from the alternator. The other side of the regulator shows DC voltage which increases with rpm. With everything connected however, the problem appears to persist. Is the regulator a regulator only, or a rectifier-regulator? Right now I'm 180 miles from my bike, driving a borrowed car. I won't get back until Friday. Does anyone have charging system diagnostics? I have access to a service manual, but not electrical. I'd appreciate links to, or scans of dynamic and bench test procedures for the charging system components. Mark SE AZ | ||
| Griffmeister |
Yes, the regulator is also a rectifier. You should check your stator output at 2000rpm, there should be roughly 45vac at the stator leads. I guess you kind of figured this would be the expected results. The elec. diag. manual really doesn't have a test for the reg. except by checking everything else ( apply load to battery and check output ). Don't discount wiring issues though. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
The problem was in the connectors to the voltage regulator. More here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/569845.html?1275771529 Mark SE AZ | ||
| Rays |
Mark, my apologies. When I directed you to remove the pins to clean them I had no idea how cheap these connectors had gone with the single-phase models. I had made the assumption that there were Deutsch connectors (or something of comparable quality). I pulled the L/H scoop this afternoon and had a look at the regulator connectors on my '09XT. Disappointed would be an understatement. You have done the right thing by going with the dielectric grease now that I see what you have to work with. I don't think we have heard the last of regulator and stator connector issues.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Where is this 2008 connector found? still behind the front sprocket? | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Both regulator/rectifier connectors are underneath the left side air scoop. I had to remove the center hanger for access. Mark SE AZ | ||
| Mark_weiss |
I've had very good results with GM Weatherpack connectors when building race bike wiring harnesses. If problems crop up again, I'll probably replace both connectors. Mark SE AZ |
