How to Test a Harley Davidson Voltage Regulator : Weekend Wrenching 

Thanks for the how to, appreciate you putting them out.

Love my Harley, Biker for Life, Wrenching for Eternity, No Regret. More Power to you Bro.

My VR went bad last month in my Road King. I followed the troubleshooting steps in my service manual and in less than 30 minutes, I figured out the problem. My local HD dealer had a VR, so I was back in business in a day. Get a service manual folks! It pays for itself.

Its crazy you guys post this. I just got my 2020 softail standard back from the dealer just last month. Regulator took a shit, and at 3000 miles. glad it happened in the city, and not a long trip. YIKES. First symptoms were exactly that. Dash lights, blinkers, headlamp fluctuating until finally battery light indicator. keep up the great work guys.

Straight to the point. Thanks.

thank you simple and to the point

Great info, thanks for sharing.

I have a 2022 Lowrider S. I had a magnet come off the alternator rotor and was stuck to the stator. Would this burn out my stator I’m at work going to test when I get home. Thanks your videos are very informative

Thank you J&P

What if you have eliminated the coil as a source of a bike not starting (no spark), and you want to run a test of the voltage regulator in order to eliminate it as a problem source? Is there a test to check the voltage regulator when the bike does not run? Thx.

I did all that testing on a 2009 RK, another guy did as well. But the low voltage light and check engine still come on (sometime), I am figuring a ground, but I can't find any except the ground cable on the battery. Are there any grounds direct to the frame?

I have the 2009 sportster XL1200C.i was a problem with the charging system.first thing : I replaced it's own regulator that was single phase with a 3phases,because I can't get the same at my country. next I measured the value but there 12.8 v at battery poles.i've checked every things such as: stator resistance,stator ground and even open the rotor to watch the stator but there is nothing.when I put the ac to regulator and it's disconnect of DC output(I mean unloaded) it just 7 to 8 volts of the output.. what's the problem you think?!

Thank you!

Cheers, thanks guys

Hello!!! I have a 2018 harley davidson breakout M8. I burned the regulator. what I would like to ask you is: how much current must come out of the stator ??? measuring at minimum I give 20 V in alternating current, but accelerating it rises above 70/80 V. is this normal ???? Thanks in advance.

I just put on a new voltage regulator on my 2012 dyna fat bob ran find for a day then back to have the warning light come back on along with the battery light my sator is good what would cause this thanks

Good explanation

Good information 👍

My Stator is good, puts out 65 volts around 2500 rpm. but the RR went out on me, I took it out of the circuit but I would like to know why the plug between the stator and reg or RR was so hot.would you have an idea why? Thank you very much.

Thank you 🇺🇸

I had a strange question for you I have an 08 night rod it's fine riding it local but anytime I take it any kind of distance I'll come up to a stop sign when it's hot when it's warm it'll die on me I turn the ignition off turn the ignition back on and it starts right back up what do you think might be causing this thank you for your time

I’ve noticed my voltage has spiked from 14.1 to 17.1 volts about three or four times now but only for a quick second. Probably a failing regulator?

Up Bro Thanks

Good knowledge and easy to follow the advice

You can get adapter clamps for the terminals. When checking voltages, what's the best way to bypass the regulator, so you can diagnose further. Familiar with cars, but not a bikes. Thanx for all the positive info! Gremlyn, SE, Georgia

My stator is putting out just under 20 volts AC out of 2 of the phases but one phase is only 8 volts AC at idle and the volts out of the regulator is only 3 to 4 volts DC. Is the stator bad or regulator? Brand new stator and stator rotor from drag specialties. I thought all 3 phases should be equal on voltage?

I got a 2021 Street Bob was road 8 miles off the show room floor and guy got forced into a brick wall and it ripped a whole into the tank and sparks and gas were flying and the bike burnt up I've replaced almost everything including the Ecm and Bcm and have a fully charged new battery and I know they have to be programmed by a Tech at Harley but when I hooked everything up no power to the speedometer which is new as well so nothing is married to each other yet should my Speedo power up or not ?

Thank you

Can I wire the stator directly? It is charging but the two prong connector on the case is bad. 92 STC.

Big Thanks

Thanks!

I have over charging problem and one time low voltage bike runs great but after 4to5 rides each around two hr code will pop again P0563 , B1006 and B1007 many testing and all work as it should. Now I’m confused even the checked grounds but nothing to finds. 2014 Harley Vrod My question how to test Harley regulator three phase, only thing I see about wrong it doesn’t read quantity from (-) side to three pins back

83 FXSB 1340 brand new regulator putting out 14.58 fully revved. Is that gonna cook my agm battery?

How's it going, I've got a 2011 heritage soft tail, dash light on and it won't charge, alternator?

hello. I am from Albania. I have an S & S engine (No. A09872) from 2000. I am looking for a catalog for installation instructions. can you suggest me where to look?

i have a 1978 superglide fxe. it started missing and wouldn't idle i removed the voltage reg. and the bottom was burned out. replaced and ran good for about 50 mi.same problem checked stator running it went up to 17 checked battery running voltage went up and down from 3 to 15 i bought the bike new it has 13,000 mi. on it.

I changed out my regulator 2016 Road Glide because it was over charging. The new one shows the same issue of over voltage over 14 volts up to 15 and down again to 14. Stator tested good. Battery cell maybe. Thanks.

I have put two new voltage regulators on my 2012 deluxe, they stop working after the first run, my stator is putting out 34 plus, the regulator is after mark

mines sometimes bounces between 10 to 12 then once its warm charges fine. I am a journeyman Electronic tech. Am i wrong thinking diodes and capacitors either work or they dont? I just put a brand new harley regulator on last year this is getting flustrating

My 2005 1200c spudders and pops when it gets warm , any suggestions

Ran codes on my 2011 street glide first one popped up P1353 second one popped up no rsP . Motor turns over but want start

Hey man, I want to ask something. I have a 48 sportster which has a problem when I push the gas sometimes the headlights flicker and the engine feels like it drops and sometimes the engine suddenly stops. Usually what is the cause? Is it the stator, electricity or combustion? Please help me because I am very confused right now

Hi, I just bought RG 2010. When the engine cold everything is going normal. But, when I ride around 20 minutes the indicator battery suddenly on. And then I turn off the bike and turn it on again everything normal. The battery sign is off. But it happened again sometimes. Can I say that the regulator is in trouble?

Thank you for a welth of info

my voltage is 11 volts at idle riding goes high 14s can hear motor noise though radio voltage reg ?

Been having an issue with my aprillia, its blowing up head lamps,engine ceasing at high RPM temp rising for a brief when that happens and its idling too high as well ,but funny the guy who checked said the voltage regulator is good

Quick question... on a 08 street glide I've chased a over charge for a few parts now. The bike has a new stator we changed the rectifier new from Harley-Davidson at about 2500 the meter pegs at 16+ volts at the battery..... my question is will a bad battery cause an over charge?

You didn't show any testing on the regulator circuit . Need to know how to bench test the circuits on the regulator

So from 14.18 at idle 14.28 at 3k rpm is normal ?

Is there like a continuity test for the VR? I can't even start the bike to watch the volts.

If the stator tests are good the only way to see if the DC volts are getting to your battery is to meter your batter while bike is running to check for proper charging from there it is a faulty voltage regulator if no rise on meter. Only way to troubleshoot a VR being there isn't a way to test it directly.

My bike won’t pass 13.9 what would be your suggestion

On the 3 prong plug is there a specific way it goes. I unplugged it with out marking it🤦🏻‍♂️ all help will be appreciated.

Having a over charge issue on a 2017 Milwaukee, eight 117 stator test good and the regulator is good replacement just to rule out, battery test good, voltage is 14.5 at 12000 rpm? What can I check next?

I have a 2011 CVO Streetglide the following codes keep coming up even after getting the dealership to clear them, I’ve cleaned all earths as that came up as one possible problem the codes are p55ptb c0562 b1154 any suggestions would be greatly appreciated TIA 👍

Why is there no recall on Harley voltage regulators? It's the # 1 issue with harley charging systems. All service techs say this.

Is it possib for a voltage regulator to work sometimes ? Im getting 12.4 reading while the bike is running, I disconnect the voltage regulator and move it around and the vintage jumps up to 14 ...I know the obvious ( a loose connection ) but I can't find one... No broken wires ....??? I'm lost...I thought it was bad.... Right before I went to buy one ..I checked it again and it was good so I took a ride and broke down.... Brought it home, fucked around with it and it's reading good again

Hello Patrick. Can I give you a call at the shop for guidance? I could really use your help.

I have a 1993 FLHS. It wasn’t starting. I had been out riding the night before. I parked it in my garage. Next day I went to start it and I got nothing but a click. I called my mechanic and he was super busy. So I watched some videos and wound up ordering a new starter relay. I also ordered a new starter cover with manual bypass-starter button. I did bring the battery, which I had recently changed just a couple weeks before. The battery wouldn’t charge so they gave me a new one. I replaced the above mentioned parts and the bike has been running and starting although sometimes there’s a slight hesitation, which finally brings me to my question. I don’t want to deal with the bike not starting, especially further away from home. Is it worth upgrading to a high performance starter kit? Is it something that a rookie mechanic can handle ? I’m gonna check out the other charging system videos you have. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I bought an aftermarket led headlight I switched to high beam and it shuts off

Seriously I need help I have a Ironhead sportster it is not made with a Stater, voltage regulator, and the generator on you some reason I cannot get it to charge it please help

I need help so bad I’m having a charging problem. I have replaced the generator and the voltage regulator it’s killing me.

I turn my switch on dash light comes on but that's all , where do I go from here

So I did the tests and it tested bad... The next morning I checked one last time before I bought the part and it went right up to 13.8 .... So I took a ride.....good all day, started up next morning....bout 2 hours later broke down.... Now I'm not showing a charge...12.4 .,.. And declining.... Bout 2 minutes of bike idling....it went up to 14.3....….3 minutes later... Jumped down to 12.2 and declining again..... Not I can't get it to show a charge again..... Is it possible for a voltage regulator to work a couple times after going bad

What if can't get your harley to start

I am a car mech, but I wonder if proper grounding is as important on a bike as it is for a car or truck. Might want to verify good grounding. Chime in if I am wrong here.

Testing voltage regulator 2000 spotster

How to find a short.battery install hook up leads and theirs short nothing on switch is off

but did you actually test the regulator? seems to me you just checked that charging is ok..

🤘😎🤘

Can anyone help me with this a problem I a 2013 road king riding down the highway at 75 and bike goes completely dead. I turned switches off and before I can stopped , my alarm light will start flashing and I know I start up and go again .... I say dead I mean dead it loses all power engine shut off all electrical shut down ... but with in a minute or so it’s like it reboots and starts back up ... I change the ignition switch and it worked fine , but the other day it did it again ! Has anyone ever heard of this happening ... I’ve been chasing wires help please

There are no tests for a regulator, only tests for a stator. If the stator passes and there are no wire issues, the regulator is the odd man out

I have a 2020 iron 883 with 680 miles on it and the battery light won’t go off. Even after installing a new battery

So "if your bike isn't starting you could have a problem with the voltage regulator". So far so good. "The following is the best way to test it. Start up your bike and rev it up.....etc,etc." Do you see the problem here guys? Do you actually watch your videos and check them for consistency before you upload them?

why can't i hear the video

Your content is so good.. it's shocking!...(see what I did there... "shocking"...)

Voltage needs to be more than 12v DC and less than 14.7dc .at 14.7 bad things start to happen on 12v systems

2:18

i don't have any volume

Thumbs down for NOT responding to anyone's questions below! Do you think we ask questions hoping the tooth fairy would leave a reply under our pillow? Why make a video page if you're too lazy to reply back to customers?