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Regulator/Rectifier electrical test

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Old 07-28-2020, 08:24 PM
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Default Regulator/Rectifier electrical test

My 2006 sportster custom is having intermittent shut down//no start/slow start problems. I am leaning hard toward the Regulator/Rectifier, I am just trying test the resistance right now from the pigtail coming right off the unit (Its two pins)
I do not know what good readings look like to determine if it is ok or not.
I am waiting on my electrical diagnostic manual to arrive.
Right now with accessories on, testing one pin at a time, one lead on a pin, and the other lead on a known good ground on the bike. They are bouncing numbers around like crazy, and intermittently read that there is infinite resistance then back to bouncing around random numbers. Both pins do this.

This does not seem normal, i am no expert. So any input is appreciated. Thanks
 
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Old 07-29-2020, 03:12 AM
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It is very unusual to try and measure resistance with a powered circuit.

A more usual way to test the regulator in the first instance is to see if the output is around 14 volts with the engine running around 2000 rpm - just put a voltmeter on a positive and negative point.
 

Last edited by Andy from Sandy; 07-29-2020 at 03:15 AM.
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Old 07-29-2020, 04:14 AM
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There is a Sticky on testing your charging circuit, including the regulator, in the Tech Electrical section. Follow the suggestions there to identify any problems, alternatively use your FSM.
 
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Old 07-29-2020, 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy from Sandy
It is very unusual to try and measure resistance with a powered circuit.

A more usual way to test the regulator in the first instance is to see if the output is around 14 volts with the engine running around 2000 rpm - just put a voltmeter on a positive and negative point.
[QUOTE=grbrown;19294319]There is a Sticky on testing your charging circuit, including the regulator, in the Tech Electrical section. Follow the suggestions there to identify any problems, alternatively use your FSM.[/QUOT

Ive measured voltage output at the battery and it is between 13.1v-13.7v at idle, around 14v revved up, sandy. I have not been able to catch it doing anything unusual yet like dropping off charge or climbing to the sky. Whatevers going on is intermittent and very random. A buddy told me he had very similar symptoms as me and the regulator was the culprit. Not saying it is 100% my problem, thats just what im trying to verify. But metering voltage with the bike running everything seems to check out. So im trying to seek other methods to test it
-grbrown, i will take a look again in my FSM, from what i saw before it give me very little information and says to refer to the electrical diagnostic manual for my year/model. Which i am waiting for to arrive, cost me $60.

Come to find out when looking at my harness for the regulator, someone before me had messed with it, since there were actual zip ties in a couple spots that were not factory. I bought my bike with 8K miles (a 2006). Used bike mysteries


 
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Old 07-29-2020, 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by sporti
-grbrown, i will take a look again in my FSM, from what i saw before it give me very little information and says to refer to the electrical diagnostic manual for my year/model. Which i am waiting for to arrive, cost me $60.
Sorry about that - the MoCo split the FSM into two volumes quite a while back, but since I bought my big twin!
 
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