| Author | Message | ||
     Pso |
I just did a search of BadWeb as a result of my VR crapping out on Wed. during rush hour in the middle of a 4 lane highway. It seems like this has happened to a few folks so far. Needles to say it was a harrowing experience. It seems as if this is a problem with 06 Uly's, but I am not sure how much of a problem it is, but from my experience it was a very dangerous occurance. Should this be reported to NHTSA? Or how do we make the factory aware of this problem so it can be remedied if it is a design or production problem? Or should we just replace the VR's on a regular basis? Any ideas or suggestions? I like my Uly alot and intend to keep the bike. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I would report the failure to your dealer. Even if you are able to repair the problem yourself, I would have them do it. I would have them to request to have it replaced under warranty even if it is out of warranty just so that it gets documented. Once it's repaired, I would install a voltage meter and keep your eye on your voltage. Overcharging is a sign of a failing VR. A failing VR will inevitably result in failed stator (have them check both). DON'T attempt to "save" your stator or voltage regulator by reducing load particularly if you ride your Uly like a "sport bike". The excess power must be shunted into the wiring harness, voltage regulator, and stator. Each component then must bleed this excess power off as heat. If the excess power is used by lights, heated grips, heated clothing, etc. it doesn't need to be sent anywhere as "excess". I doubt that NHTSA will do anything. If I lose another stator/voltage regulator, I am going to have my stator rewound to decrease the output. I definitely feel the stator is a weak link on our bikes. It's obvious to me why they reduced the output on the 08 bikes. | ||
| Pso |
Ft-thanks-Bike is presently in the dealer being fixed. Made the warrenty by 2 days. They claim it is only the VR. I asked them to check the connector #77 and they said that they did and it looks ok. I have an Escort 8500 radar detector which gives an actual voltage reading. It usually runs around 13.4v. When the VR crapped out the escort started to give some strange beeping sound, I looked at the screen and it was falshing low voltage then it would give the voltage. I take it then that I should go ahead and run with my aux lights (PIAA's), and both headlights on in order to drain off the excess juice? When it is 90+ degrees and 98% humidity, I do not feel comfortable with the heated grips nor heated vest turned on, I guess I am just a woos. Is there a consesus forming that the the connector should be swapped out for something more substantial. As I have posted before the depth and breadth of my understanding of electicity ends up lacing in very close to voodoo or reading chicken bones or tea leaves in my brain. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I don't know about the connector being the issue. Were it the weak link, I believe Buell would have replaced it with another long ago. I believe the problem lies with the design itself. The biggest enemy is heat. Excess power being shunted back into the system causes the greatest amount of heat. | ||
| Rwven |
Ft bstrd, I wonder if the single phase units from the '08s are a clean swap? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Nope. They cases are different to accommodate the new timing gear. We will have to have our stators custom wound if we want to make the change. I'm simply working to keep a closer eye on the VR with the meter and bleed off as much power as possible. | ||
| Babired |
Paul, My 07 uly left me stranded in Kentucky, connector to VR The part was replaced I'm wondering when it will happen again. K | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
What if you just clipped out the connector and and soldered it all together? That was the winning solution for my old 1979 sportster  | ||
| Pso |
Got the bike back yesterday from Harley dealereship. My escort RD, also my GPS gave readings of between 13.8v and 14.2v The folks there are very polite,they said that perhaps the problem was the Aux driving lights put to much of a strain on the system. They did not bother to ask me how much I use the lights. I think I have used them once or twice in the last two years and only for a short period of time. Of course I fell into the trap of attempting to explain about the output of the stator and everything else that I have learned. They just politly listened but glazed over as if a nictitating membrane encapsulated them. O well they are polite. I hate being stranded alongside the road. What next? | ||
| Rotorhead |
I hate being stranded alongside the road. What next? Wheel bearing, drive belt, fan you name it. It is all part of the adventure!!!! The BRAN will be here when you need us!!!! | ||
| Pso |
Rotorhead-I have a spare belt, I am replacing the one on the bike next tire change with the new one, thus roadside belt repair on cross country trip will be doable with used (prestretched)belt. Now I suppose I need to carry a spare VR and fan. Again both are roadside doable if I have them with me. O well one of the reasons I like the Bueel so much is how easy it is to repair and work on. I just wish that I did not need to. | ||
| Red_chili |
Rays or others- What about using dielectric grease as a means of sealing the pins on connector #77? Thoughts? Could prevent oxidation. | ||
| Bearly |
It's longer than 19000 miles. | ||
| Old_mil |
Hey Pso, Can you give me a little information on how your bike behaved when the VR died? | ||
| Rays |
Bill, in the failures that I have had the chance to look at physically (I have helped the workshop guys at my dealer on a couple of other customer bikes as well as finding the issue with my own '06), there has always been a physical deformation of the female connector that results in a 'loose' connection. That then starts off the whole chain of events. The actual connector is very well sealed with seals on the connector housing as well as each individual wire so I don't think that dielectric grease would be mandatory. I'm not convinced that the design of the female socket is really up to the task because it appears that it can be deformed through relatively normal handling but I'm not a design engineer so I can't say for sure. I do know that running a voltage meter since I had my issue has taken away the uncertainty completely. I am still running the old contacts in my connector (just slack and haven't gotten around to getting the parts to replace them) and have had to give the connector a quick clean two or three times in the last 40,000km. Each time the voltage meter gave me plenty of warning via a slight voltage drop. This wouldn't suit someone who wasn't a 'hands-on' person but if you are a 'hands on' person you can probably understand those issues that you live with once you know some back-yard solution. They fall into the "I must get around to fixing that' category.  | ||
| Blk_uly |
I'm the same way. Thats why they say never buy a used car from a mechanic right. | ||
| Khelton |
At the rate the VR's are failing, this should be a recall issue...similar to the BAS | ||
| Froggy |
Well how come we almost never hear of any VR issues with any other XB's, especially the SS/STT? | ||
| Pso |
Old-mil-the first indication was a hesitation like I was running out of gas. I think it was the fuel pump or the injectors not have enough electricity to work properly. Then when the revs dropped down and the bike cut off (four lane highway during rush hour, unpleasant experience). I had Sara come by in her car and we put the bike's battery to her car with jumper cables (I had disconnected my battery cables first). Let it charge for about 20 minutes then drove the bike home about 4 miles. I pulled the fuses, I think the lights just to keep the draw to a minimum. I could see it coming by my radar detector which has a digital volt meter built into the readout. (Escort Passport 8500). I just was not expecting the bike to drop dead on me. It happened very fast, and if I had not seen that my volts were dropping rapidly I would have been very supprised by the suden acting up and then rapid stopping. | ||
| Red_chili |
Rays, thanks much. I thought about it later and just maintaining the contacts seems the best way to go. Well how come we almost never hear of any VR issues with any other XB's, especially the SS/STT? Rocky Mountain Harley says it isn't as rare as all that. Considering buying a spare VR and stator just to have on hand. Heck, I carry spare axle shafts and birfield joints and full tools in my truck... | ||
| Retired_cop |
For what it's worth, my 06 ( 31000 miles )just left me sitting on the road with no electricity. Prior to the bike stopping, the instruments ceased working, check engine light came on, and within 1/2 mile.................dead. Roadside assistance towed/trailered me home. Battery was taken out, recharged, checked OK, reinstalled and bike ridden around neighborhood for less than 10 miles. Horn is now sounding weak, starting hard, running rough. Battery will be recharged and bike ridden toward dealer who states there is a 3 week backlog of appointments. Lets see what they say when an on road breakdown is towed into the shop as an emergency unscheduled customer. Wish me luck | ||
| Reepicheep |
Easy and cheap to install a volt meter and just keep an eye on it. I took the *really cheap* route and cobbled together a trolling motor battery monitor from WalMart... $15 or something, and has both a digital volt readout, and 4 LED's. Fat Bastard used an even cooler "single LED hooked to a microcontroller" setup, and stashed the whole thing under his existing idiot light panels. It changes color and flashes at different rates to tell you different things, a very cool setup. I think thats in the $30 to $40 range. I just noticed a "alternator tester" at harbor freight last week. Thats probably another "dirt cheap" hack-it solution. Electrically, it probably has every feature you need, but to package it usefully on your bike (including water proofing) it could become a "project". On a recent ride, a smart Bueller had a volt meter on his bike (a really nice one from American Sportbike), and experienced a stator failure. Because he saw it with the meter, he didn't even miss breakfast, much less sit broken down in the middle of the smokey mountains with no cell phone service, 8 other riders, and a dead bike. It was not just a good investment for him, but also towards minimizing impact on people around him. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Fat Bastard used an even cooler "single LED hooked to a microcontroller" setup, and stashed the whole thing under his existing idiot light panels. It changes color and flashes at different rates to tell you different things, a very cool setup. I think thats in the $30 to $40 range. Linky: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/335986.html?1202653245  Very Spendy. $24.95. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I'll trade you a square idle map and some tire changes for a voltage meter farkle. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
You're on! |
