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Possible Voltage Regulator Problem

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by ogshortfatman, Oct 29, 2007.

  1. ogshortfatman

    ogshortfatman New Member

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    Just rewired whole bike (89 FXLR) and it fired right up and ran great, but after a trip around the block I had no lights at all, tail or headlight. Totally smoked the halogen head light and blew out both filaments on the taillight. Overcharging? Voltage Regulator problem? I read the FAQ section on this and it seems easy to test and will do so tomorrow but was wondering if anyone had experienced anything like this before and if there is anything I need to do special to that electrical system after having all of the pieces off of it. I feel all of the wires are clean and free of shorts, etc. that might be giving me grief...Thanks guys in advance.
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2007
    ogshortfatman, Oct 29, 2007
    #1
  3. duke76

    duke76 New Member

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    check your grounds make sure they are clean and tight, I had that problem on my fxr a couple years ago, turned out to be a ground problem, if that isnt it check your voltage, anything more than 14.5 and you probably have a problem in your charging system
    duke76, Oct 30, 2007
    #2
  4. ogshortfatman

    ogshortfatman New Member

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    Thanks, I will double check grounds. The bike does not have a whole lot of grounds. One for the Headlight (seems good), two off of the battery(one to the frame, one to the motor), and one for the starter relay. Am I maybe missing one? Hmmm, maybe I need to check the mounting of the voltage regulator, I never had it off and it must ground it self to the frame, maybe it is loose... Also, now that I think about it, I kinda dont like the frame ground cable, it could be better.....Thanks again, back to the garage....
    ogshortfatman, Oct 30, 2007
    #3
  5. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    If you don't like your cables I have a friend on another board (HTT) that makes very nice custom battery cables in his spare time, they are called Yooper Cables (Originally made in the UP of MI which is Yooper country)

    His email is yoopercables at hotmail.com His name is Rich.

    The cables come with high quality wire, they had gold end connections but I recall something about a supply limit at one time on them.

    I run them on my Heritage and have several friends running them. He's probably sold hundreds over the net.

    Anyway they are cut to fit any bike, nice cables. Give him a shout if you need new cables.
    hotroadking, Oct 30, 2007
    #4
  6. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    make sure the reg. has a good ground....when you check the voltage at the battery, with the bike running it should be around 14.5 volts...+/- a bit. then check it with all electrical circuits on....lights, turns,radio, ect....there should not be a significant drop.....keep us posted..:)
    chucktx, Oct 30, 2007
    #5
  7. ogshortfatman

    ogshortfatman New Member

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    Thank you everyone!!!! I ended up making a couple new cable ground cables and then tested with a meter at the battery. The volts were fine without the motor running, about 13.3, but were 18.0 and climbing with the motor running just above an idle. I picked up a new voltage regulator and it solved the problem. Thanks again.
    ogshortfatman, Oct 30, 2007
    #6

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