Motorcycle Charging System: Bad Regulator/Rectifier

Рет қаралды 508,386

5 жыл бұрын

In this diagnostic tutorial on testing a motorcycle's charging system. I will help you identify possible outcomes of the different results you may see when it comes to a specific charging system component. For this Honda VT1100's case, it happens to be the regulator rectifier at fault.
This is just one way this motorcycle's charging system component called the regulator rectifier can show its problem.
Hope this helps you cross your motorcycle's charging issue off the list!
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Пікірлер: 468

@k1ckyscotland988 5 жыл бұрын

Very concise and easy to understand explanation.Been riding,building and restoring bikes for over 40 years but elecrical stuff is still witchcraft.

@Binks943 Жыл бұрын

This man is one of the most mechanically inclined people I have ever seen. Remarkable!

@blinkerplease1936 5 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate this one. This is a simple tip to diagnose this part of the charging system. Years ago I went through a charging issue and would have loved to have had this info. Thanks as always. Great Video!

@DutchedShedBuilds 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this lesson 👍. And the time and effort you put in!

@SBKPete 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for uploading another great video Cody; I really appreciate what you do for the motorcycling community 🙏🏻 You’ve saved me a small fortune, and it’s made me bond more with my bike. Take care

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks brother 🤙🏻

@Greyman77 Ай бұрын

Probably the most direct, clear and concise charging system lesson ever. Great job.

@TheMotorcycleMD Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@panasync2134 2 жыл бұрын

I have spent the last several days seeking and watching charge system videos. As for your video..... BRAVO!! Keeping it simple and straight forward is a plus.

@Alien5700 Жыл бұрын

Cody, thank you for ALL your instructional videos on the motorcycle charging system, stator, regulator/rectifier, & battery. Simple, to the point, and easy to understand. They have helped me understand & diagnose my system on my 2003 Honda VFR800.

@brucesturgeon4801 5 жыл бұрын

Very informative video, you explain the fundamentals in a way that is easy to follow. Excellent delivery of knowledge.

@erichoutman8803 5 жыл бұрын

Cody I use to be a auto technician and couldn't agree more with you. Very knowledgeable about teaching people the basics in a practical way.

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eric!

@ginalimbrick 2 жыл бұрын

Your explanation was so easy to follow. I will be tackling my system tomorrow and thanks to you, hopefully sorting out my motorcycle issue!

@CajunGreenMan 5 жыл бұрын

This is awesome, very helpful for an electroidiot like me. Keep up the great work!

@540vibration 3 жыл бұрын

It’s like doing an apprenticeship watching these vids. Awesome, really appreciate the content.

@stevepowell7465 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I have watched several vids regarding the charging system BUT you have clearly explained the TROUBLE-SHOOTING aspect much better. I especially like going after the obvious FIRST; check the battery. You provide the right numbers and I understood that. SECOND, how much of a charge is coming in from the stater and WHY the charging number needs to be stable around 15 or so. You also explained why too much (like your example at functioning RPMs) is BAD! In the case of this Honda everything looks to the rectifier and you provided extra analysis of why you can't really go any further (closed system). Again, thank you for taking the time to Share your expertise! Well done!! :)

@tadgriffin170 5 жыл бұрын

I've got a paraplane with a 582 rotax that started giving me a warning for overcharging today. Slowly climbed to 17 volts within a minute or so of starting. Acted almost exactly as what you just showed. I just ordered a new rectifier/regulator. Thanks!

@spareparts7630 4 жыл бұрын

Watched a couple of your vids to diagnose a non-charging issue on my 1984 Honda V65. Following your instructions I found that the older splices on the 3 yellow wires were bad. Snipped and re-soldered those connections. Tested my R&R and stator and we're good as new. 14 volts at 5000rpm. Instant subscribe!!

@herkko61 4 жыл бұрын

Very good diagnose tutorial to recognize a faulty voltage regulator. Totally explained. Thanks!

@UtterlyAmazingVideos 3 жыл бұрын

I successfully diagnosed and fix my bike's electrical issue thanks to this video!

@theone2be33 5 жыл бұрын

New Subscriber! I've got a lot of catching up to do with your vids. Watched this one and the one where you checked if stator is good or bad. Learned 2 new things today. Looking forward to learning more. Don't know why I'm becoming a motorcycle junkie. But i love it! 👍😎🇺🇸

@Spartanshaq777 4 жыл бұрын

dude this is saturday morning bacon! Great stuff!

@skeezle1337 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! I'm pretty sure this is the problem with my bike. It's throwing an "over voltage" code. This is the only video I've seen so far that shows over voltage. Thanks again!

@joefletcher9552 5 жыл бұрын

This just helped me solve a charging issue on my virago xv535 (and saved me a lot of cash!) As a total novice on bike electrical systems this vid was absolutely spot on. Cheers Cody!

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Great job man!

@thomaswarren2699 4 жыл бұрын

Lovely looking bike- Looking at getting one. Any owner's advice you could give to a potential new owner? I'm guessing from your dialect you're British? If so, looking to sell? :D

@marcness7330 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent approach to one possible solution. I'm hoping that the R/R issue is what I'm dealing with, thanks for the excellent simple battery test to (hopefully) find it.

@akbarhussain1767 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Cody,I've had a few small battery problems in the past week, I took my battery to the shop & all is well up to now,but,I'm yet to put gas in my Honda cbr1000 & actually run,I ran out of gas last week,take care friend & thank you for your Valuable information,Time & Excellent battery & charging video 🙂🙂🙂

@amydebty4309 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for this one ,my buddy's bike has been having this problem and all his biker buddy's were clueless.

@dwhk 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very practical and helpful. My '96 Africa Twin is undercharging and I'm waiting for the replacement rectifier to arrive. Hope that solves the problem.

@neilallsopp3332 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Cody, great video, that's got to be the clearest and best explanation of a motorcycle charging system. I've learned a lot from your videos keep it up buddy.👍.. Neil from Nottingham England

@taoisttiger4702 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I learned a lot, I'm new to bikes and my kawasaki zx10r died while riding the other day D: hopefully these simple tests will save me time and money instead of attacking the stator first

@michaelpryor2981 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for this lesson 👍. And the time and effort you put in!

@mattlindemuth4285 3 жыл бұрын

This guy's a. Damn good bike mechanic and great explanation ... Good job

@K0nst4nt1n96 4 жыл бұрын

A Voltage Meter is a good addition to the other instruments. Its always good to know if its a silent problem that might lead to a problem in the near future. I did notice my rectifier going bad by having a not so good turnover by the starter. As i looked on the dc meter it was only charging at idle and not anymore with a bit more rpms. Could have run out of juice oneday and would have had to pay for the towing or even a new battery but i avoided that by beeing suspicous.

@pds4927 2 жыл бұрын

AWESOME TUTORIAL! I’m from the Philippines and I’m a big fan of your channel. I’m learning a lot from you. Thanks and keep up the great work!

@mikelyons9971 5 жыл бұрын

Another great video. I have linked a few of your videos to the shadow groups on Facebook. It's also helped me out on my 99 vt750cd. Thanks for the great videos keep it up.

@JohnDoe-rx3vn 4 жыл бұрын

Used this video to diagnose my sv650. Saved me a lot of time and batteries

@Sample_pumpkin Жыл бұрын

I have a hyosung gv650 and I need to test my regulator and stator , ignition coil and battery your videos are so helpful

@justride9782 2 жыл бұрын

two thumbs up. This exactly what I looking for in diagnosing my Yamaha R6 battery leak. thank you from Ontario, Canada!

@drewhayes2192 3 жыл бұрын

Super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to put this video out!

@emfl4437 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! Appreciate the tips. I am testing the charging system on my DRZ400. Thanks

@oldfartuk 3 жыл бұрын

love your channel .. great explanation without all complicated BS

@dodgecharger892 Жыл бұрын

I'm happy to find this video , it gave me more information on testing my 97 shadow vt600 . One week after I took it out of the shop and the bike does on me while I was riding home I hope it's just a faulty stator , but I'm definitely gonna test everything like it's shown here in the video

@jeffgarbaas9278 5 жыл бұрын

Great easy to understand presentation dude! Keep up great work...

@marloheights38 5 жыл бұрын

12.7. on my battery... Good or bad ??

@johnbutcher2111 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you man that's exactly what I needed to know rectifiers the problem👍

@AlexZortOstrowski 5 жыл бұрын

Great vid. Just fixed this exact issue on my '99 vt600. When 1 battery died early and the next one died within a couple months, I found the RR putting out over 18vdc at idle.

@triggerMB 2 жыл бұрын

Working on a 79 Ironhead. Your video gave me a clearer idea of what I'm dealing with. Good stuff

@TheMotorcycleMD 2 жыл бұрын

Nice!!

@triggerMB 2 жыл бұрын

Just installed new generator(talk old school technology!), and new regulator. The volts are right within your specs. Thanks!

@osito021 4 жыл бұрын

This video will help me with my 1985 Honda Shadow VT1100. Thank you.

@HTMR 5 жыл бұрын

Nice video Cody!

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Matt, always a pleasure hearing from you! 🤙🏻

@davidgreenfield220 3 жыл бұрын

Great explanation of the electrical system

@TheAxeman2112 4 жыл бұрын

Great video!!! just an observation the shock mount bushing is gone and looks like its digging into the aluminum housing.

@kaikouravoyager1 Жыл бұрын

Just saved me alot of heartache and money..I have a VR issue. Cost 70 dollars..beats taking the whole primary side apart get at the stator which proves perfect..thanks forever member

@bigj200016 Жыл бұрын

Just found you. Good stuff. When a battery is overcharging, it becomes much easier to figure out. When a battery is not charging at all, that’s when it gets tougher. Could be anything in charging system and even a bad ground. Lastly intermittent charging issues generally lead themselves to be more likely than not to be regulator as well.

@andrewwilson2143 4 жыл бұрын

A natural tutor. Thanks

@ChadwickRider 5 жыл бұрын

Man, I really appreciate these videos! This was an excellent explanation of how this charging system works, as well as the risks and safety hazards. Subscribed!!!

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Glad to have you Chad! 🤙🏻

@pepelobos3325 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheMotorcycleMD i noticed that my rear running light keeps burning out on longer rides even while on running my rear light is super bright. also, my dash lights are brighter than usual. my battery is charging, but what is causing that light burning or super bright?

@johnweiler1494 3 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial and help, came looking for a stator issue that I thought might have been regulator, turns out it’s stator as I first thought

@paulanthonymarkowski7518 2 жыл бұрын

Great lesson brother! Thanks for the thorough explanation

@stephenwatson2328 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, two days ago I bought a new battery for my chook chaser xt250. Went for ride and could smell the battery when I returned home, pulled the side panel of and could not touch the battery cause it was so hot and bulging like ready to explode. Then I watched your video. All sorted, Thanks

@capitaldd5840 4 жыл бұрын

Great video - thanks for posting. Well explained info , much appreciated. I was hoping to see the result of the rect/regulator replacement....did it solve the problem...? Thanks.

@georgesteffens7489 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing all your Honda knowledge with us!!

@chrisdimmitt7012 11 ай бұрын

Your my goto guy for working on my VT1100C. Thanks for the very easy to follow content

@nikolatersiev4036 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Super helpful!

@mehmetyarbasan9287 3 жыл бұрын

It’s been very helpful, thank you very much.

@user-fw1tk2hf5i 7 ай бұрын

I shur learned a lot about electric components from you, thanks and God Bless

@rabnath Жыл бұрын

Great videos that simply explain troubleshooting for noobs like me. Really helpful! 👍

@rbotdance 5 жыл бұрын

You deserve more views! Very helpful

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

SHARE SHARE SHARE! Thanks for your support man! 🤙🏻

@ImKronzr 2 жыл бұрын

Literally best video on KZfaq. Thank you so much

@wallycleaver1046 Жыл бұрын

I love your old videos!

@brettcreech3490 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Cody I have a 97 1100 ace haven't had that problem yet lol. Thanks for the information.😎

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Hopefully never! 🤙🏻

@1dayu2 2 жыл бұрын

My friend, I have been looking to get a tutorial to help with installing a new stator with a higher output and rectifier to change from ac to dc and installing a street legal kit. It was very informative

@abhilashp5123 5 жыл бұрын

Since, I lost a battery due to a bad rectifier-regulator. I can say this for sure, thanks to you sir.

@sheffun1ted 5 жыл бұрын

Most helpful tip. Thanks very much

@johnanastasiou3557 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for info man... From Greece... I ve got a Yamaha xtx660.. 🙋

@FluffoVr 3 жыл бұрын

This was a ton of help.. thank you

@maakamakana7007 10 ай бұрын

much appreciated..very helpful ...I will be checking mine. Like the last sentence about if 5000, 6000 8000rpm and only getting 13,5v then look at stator..so in one lesson I learnt about regulator and stator . thanks

@zero_udk Жыл бұрын

Best explanation on rectifier/regulator

@noearias2006 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video It’s very interesting and very helpful

@xalphax1621 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so so much for making this video

@RyanMatthewYates Жыл бұрын

I really fw your videos! I really appreciate the fact you're a Honda mechanic too. On Friday I'm going up north to the cabin where my new to me 1994 300ex (seen you had one too) to try and diagnose her selective starting issue.. lol

@MrRabbit811 4 жыл бұрын

Really helped me... your great bro!!

@nithinpavithran6509 3 жыл бұрын

I recently changed my motorcycle battery but it ended up dead then I got replacement battery it catches fire I saw your vedio and it was very helpful I changed my regulator rectifier now it working fine. Thanks for info

@pauldavey3501 5 жыл бұрын

This guy is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS!!

@Avensur 9 ай бұрын

Outstanding job mate. Love this mech stuff on cars and bikes. One more weapon to my arsenal 👍😊

@alyoung2862 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the lesson and well stated information.

@user-bl4xv4dx2t 3 ай бұрын

Excellent video. Well explained.

@OsMart0073 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Man, nice lesson!

@jakebutcher3494 4 жыл бұрын

Great video ! Thanks I'm having trouble with batteries on my Daytona.... now suspect R/R but will use your simple test first thankyou

@jakebutcher3494 3 жыл бұрын

Hey there after removing cleaning and refitting the starter motor( worst job ever ) and also checking nearly every part of this system I vould at home I paid to have it diagnosed at triumph 1hr labour £45 It was indeed a faulty starter motor. I'm happy to share any info I have and videos of my symptoms as I know that Daytonas can be quite tricky to fault find

@jakebutcher3494 3 жыл бұрын

@Joe Hughes I agree totally however most owners are blinded by the barrage of people always saying its R/R when in fact tje red starter button connection can be dirty The starter motor or solenoid can be faulty Alarm systems can drain batteries very fast ECU can produce strange faults Most owners go straight to r/r and it cost them ££££ to find out it was something simple

@strider5453 5 жыл бұрын

Cody, I’ve rebuilt, (with help from professionals), a 1993 Yamaha SRV 250. I’ve had an electrical problem since I’ve had the bike and can’t figure it out. Some of the ongoing symptoms have been low voltage to the horn, a tachometer that goes crazy, starting problems until I put it in gear and bump the motor, and I’m now on my third neutral switch. I thought I had the problem solves by repairing damaged wires but when I went to start it up there were again no dash lights or headlight. I tried to find second gear to bump the engine and pulled up on the shift lever and everything came back on! So I figured it’s definitely something in the neutral switch wiring. I removed the wire from, heat shrank the connector, and the bike ran. While riding the bike started to sputter so I thought I’d put some upward pressure on the shift lever and the bike began to run perfectly. Not only that, but the tachometer started working as advertised. I can’t figure that out. With the neutral switch wire disconnected, how could the shift lever, which is mechanical, have any effect on the electrics? BTW, the battery has no charging problems.

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, that pretty crazy!! Honestly... I would install a new wire harness 😆😆 I wish I had a more direct answer but that is tuff

@DarkLinkAD 4 жыл бұрын

Likely a bad ground, if not, you could have a + wire tap dancing on the frame.

@cyrilleloreau1603 3 жыл бұрын

Great video thanks man. My 78' cb550's battery keeps losing it's charge. I know the stator works and the rectifier was changed recently. I"m wondering if it could be a short somewhere in the harness. BUT thanks for explaining the charging system, I"m a newbie at this and your explanation was clear enough for a knucklehead like me to understand.

@dmo848 10 ай бұрын

What was your issue on the bike?

@Costa20071313 4 жыл бұрын

Great video thanks for the help

@MarkAmazingo 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks!

@flammarama 4 жыл бұрын

Informative, thank you.

@jorgepradera2169 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Explained very nice and clear

@jacobkerr5512 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks man great video you explained it very well

@chrisowneroflonewolfproduc2028 3 жыл бұрын

i'm gonna try shooting starter fluid into my carburetor but if it;s the regulator rectifier then i think that might be why my motorcycle which is a kickstart isnt holding a charge and just isnt starting. great video brother!

@waitaminute-vw9hf 5 жыл бұрын

Great tips. Thanks Cody. I have a 83 Nighthawk 650 with a charging issue. I've heard this bike doesn't charge at low rpm but ldk if that's true. Thanks to your tips, I can at least put a meter on it and see what's up.

@markbarboza1407 4 жыл бұрын

did you figure out your charging issue? I have a 1983 650 nighthawk with the same problem.

@IchibanMoto 5 жыл бұрын

awesome video !

@TheMotorcycleMD 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks brother 🤙🏻

@Bob57sky 3 жыл бұрын

Can anyone tell me what the name of the song is on the opening of this video??? It is just so cool where the motorcycle handlebars are dancing to the song.

@Bob57sky 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheMotorcycleMD Cody, can you tell me what the name of the song is on the opening of your video? It is just so cool the way you have it on the introduction. Bob