Low stator output; bad rotor?

Hello,

I have an 85 Honda Shadow VT700C that can't hold a charge. I've replaced the stator (it started shorting to ground last summer) and I thought that was the only problem, but the bike still wouldn't charge. My battery was old so I replaced it, still no luck. I'm pretty sure my reg/rec is fine (I tested it following the shop manual), and my stator is still good (2 wires read 2.3 resistance on the ohmmeter and one reads .6, all within the range I've found mentioned on the net--none of them read anything to ground).

Now for my question, I read that you can test the AC volts between any 2 of the 3 stator wires and they should read anywhere from 20-50V depending on RPM; mine reads 0.8-1.5V--RPMs don't affect output. Since my stator passed both the resistance and ground test, does this mean my rotor is weak/bad? Does anyone have any recommendations for where to get a replacement, are used ones ok? I'd rather not spend $125 (what my local bike yard quoted me for the part) unless I'm sure mine's bad, no returns on electronics is a bummer!

Thanks for any help anyone may have,
-Evan

I think it may be my stator afterall

After giving it some more thought, the resistance readings (in ohms) between each of the three stator wires is 2.3, 2.3, and 0.6. Touching the probes of my ohmmeter together gives a reading of 0.4. Subtracting this from the reading I have above, I think that one coil is out of spec and is likely to be the problem. I'll remove my stator and take it to the shop to be checked out.

Does anyone have any experience with chronic stator failure? Any ideas why my OEM stator lasted the bike for 45k miles while the last 2 have lasted about 16k miles total? I'm thinking (hoping!) the rebuilt units I got were subpar and that a better brand may fix my ride.

-Evan

Have You Changed Out You Relays, And Fuses? Gas, Fire, Run?
IF IT'S A NEW STARTER, IS IT UNDER WARENT'T JUST BECAUSE YOU GET IT NEW DOESN'T MEAN IT WORKS? I'VE HAD TO BRING BACK PARTS BEFORE BECAUSE THEY WERE REBUILDS

Sportsterboy,

My starter is fine, the bike starts and runs like a champ; it's my stator that is F'd up. It just doesn't charge. I've done a ton of tests on the stator and reg/rec--and have come to the conclusion that my stator has gone out again. this one lasted just about 2 weeks. The first 2 lasted for 45k miles and 15k miles respectively. Not sure what is causing this, since charging systems like mine (85 Honda Shadow VT700) supposedly have the stator give full output at all times regardless of what the bike calls for; the excess voltage is simply shunted to ground. So even if my bike has a short in it somewhere, I don't see how that would cause the stator to burn out--it'd be running full on anyways.

I'm taking the stator to a shop on Tuesday to be tested so they can confirm what I'm thinking. I may give the bike one more try, with a different brand stator (anyone have any experiance w/ Electrex stators?), before I send her to the scrap.

-Evan

Starters Don't Charge. If Your Starter Keeps Burn'in Up It's Not That!

miscommunication

Sportsterboy,

I think we're having a little misunderstanding here. I think my STATOR is out, NOT my STARTER. The stator is the windings of wire inside the engine that a magnet (the rotor) revolves around, generating electricity that runs your bike/charges your batt. There are variations but the principle is the same.

What I'm not sure about is why my bike would destroy 3 stators (1 OEM, 2 rebuilts) in 2 years time... well I guess the OEM one took a little longer than 2 years. I'm starting to think that my local shop (where I bought the two rebuilt ones) is selling some crappy parts. At least that's what I'm hoping.

Thanks for your reply.
-Evan

Hey Evan, just wondering if the stator looks beat up when you pull it off, or is it simply failing?
Are the coils coming detached?
You could be right, maybe just crappy parts.

It's not really beat up, but I did see some burnt flecks around the windings; telling me something failed. I'm prolly going to get an Electrex stator instead of another rebuilt. I just assumed wires were wires, but I guess I was wrong.

Unfortunately for me, I don't think the shop will take back the old stator, as the receipt says ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS ON ELECTRICAL PARTS and the guy there is kinda a d*ck ... which is another reason I won't be buying another part from that shop.

Thanks for the reply,
-Evan

State of stator

Everyone I know that has a Honda has had stator issues at one point or another. I guess this is their weak link.

Try using a test light to check your stator, attach the ground wire ofthe tester to the motor, pull of the stator plug and start the motor, test the pins of the stator, if either lights up the test light then the stator is starting toground out, this test is much more sensitive to stator problems than using a multimeter, good luck

That's a cool tip... Bet it works on Harleys too... isn't the set up similar?