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Alternator Problem?

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Old 03-19-2007, 02:52 AM
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Alternator Problem?

At the end of last year I was riding my bike to work and the head light started to fade. As I continued down the road it kept fading until it wasn't there anymore and then my bike died. I know it's not the battery I had just replaced it at the start of that year. It's either the voltage regulator, or the alternator. Now, my question is how do I test them to find out which one it is, and where the hell is the voltage regulator? Help help help.
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Old 03-19-2007, 05:43 AM
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if the bike starts, you can put a volt meter on the battery and rev the bike and see if the voltage increases when you rev the bike, you want like 13.5 - 14.5+/-. Your regulator is under the seat.
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Old 03-19-2007, 06:26 AM
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Honda spec is: 13.5-15.5 volts at 5k rpm read off the battery. My r/r was overcharging 18 volts at idle and literally fried the battery.
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Old 03-19-2007, 08:22 AM
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find you voltage reg in the rear fairing i found it easier to remove the rear fairing but thats me. when you find it unplug it check for battery voltage on the red and white wire. then check for ground on the green wire next youll have to check conitnuity between the yellow wires if they check out check the yellow wires to ground if all is well you need a rr. if you dont have continuity or you have ground on the yellow wires check the wireing if nothing found on the wireing then youll need a stator it is quite easy just take your time and double check. sorry if this is vag im rusing to do this before work
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Old 03-19-2007, 09:12 AM
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Mine did the same thing last year. It was the voltage regulator ($136 from Honda - do some shopping around). Very quick and easy to replace, two bolts and one connector.
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Old 03-19-2007, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by YellowHawk
Mine did the same thing last year. It was the voltage regulator ($136 from Honda - do some shopping around). Very quick and easy to replace, two bolts and one connector.

Personally, I would not replace an OEM, failure prone part with another. There are lots of alternatives, from used parts from another brand, model, that may take a little fab to fit up.. Or a New aftermarket part, which also may take a little work to fit.. The end result will be a Regulator/Rectifier that is reasonable in cost and reliable
.

For those interested in a plug and play deal,, at least get a late model SH unit. As it is reported to be of somewhat better design (though still prone to failure)


For all replacements, take a good look at every MM of wire and every connection. Many times it’s a the RR that fails (on bikes in gen) but the cause is a poor connection, corroded wire, ect ect.
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Old 03-19-2007, 10:19 AM
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My voltage regulator went out last year, I replaced it with an after market one that was a drop in replacement. Unlike the OEM unit, the new one has a heatsink on it, and hopefully it will last.
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Old 03-19-2007, 12:00 PM
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I just picked up a new one from ricksmotorsportelectrics.com, it's a transpo unit with a one year warranty and free shipping for $95. Haven't put it in yet, hopefully this weekend.
Doug O.
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Old 03-21-2007, 01:14 PM
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I'd like to thank you guys for all your help with this matter. I plan on ripping in to this, this weekend. If I have any more guestions on this subject I won't hesitate to ask.
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Old 03-21-2007, 02:00 PM
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Plus 1 on the Ricks Motorsports R/R....

I'd recommend you go to the Electrex website and download their charging system fault finding diagrams/instructions.... it will tell you how to check the alternator and R/R with a voltmeter....

I'd almost guarentee the R/R is your problem... very common for VTR's, haven't heard any complaints of bad alternators... but I guess you never know...

J.
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Old 03-21-2007, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by SlowHAWK
Plus 1 on the Ricks Motorsports R/R....

I'd recommend you go to the Electrex website and download their charging system fault finding diagrams/instructions.... it will tell you how to check the alternator and R/R with a voltmeter....

I'd almost guarentee the R/R is your problem... very common for VTR's, haven't heard any complaints of bad alternators... but I guess you never know...

J.
Thank you I'll have to do that. Does anyone happen to know what the part numder is for a R/R for a 1998?
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Old 03-23-2007, 08:51 PM
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My Bike also as 35000+ miles on it. Does anyone happen to know the part # for a R/R? I'd call the dealership here but they don't know jack.
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Old 03-23-2007, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by johnnyhonda
Does anyone happen to know the part # for a R/R?
Bookmark this page:

http://www.ronayers.com/fiche/frames...0&parent=13160

Look under wiring harness.
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Old 03-23-2007, 11:24 PM
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The later model VTR units have a heat sink and should give you no problems. I have not heard of a failure.
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Old 03-24-2007, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by shayne
The later model VTR units have a heat sink and should give you no problems. I have not heard of a failure.
I don't mean to sound stupid but what is a "heat sink"? Is that something on the alternator?
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Old 03-24-2007, 01:25 PM
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the heat sink is more or less just cooling fins to disipate heat
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Old 03-24-2007, 01:39 PM
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Thumbs up

Originally Posted by sprhawk neil
the heat sink is more or less just cooling fins to disipate heat
Thanks now I really feel stupid I always wanted to know what they called those fins.
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