| Author | Message | ||
     Brinnutz |
I thought for sure all I had was a battery problem...Well, Homecoming's a month out and I need some serious work done I think. My bike won't turn over. Here's the thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/367732.html?1213110893 I was planning on getting carb work/tuned/dyno'd before homecoming but I don't know if I'll get any of it done now... I live 1.5hrs from the closest dealer, but can do my own work. Problem is, I live in an apt, and my garage won't be vacant (so I can move into it) until end of the month. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Check my pic, I have the same bike as you, color and everything. On top of that, I had the same problem and fixed it for $2.00!!! The grounding strap that bolts from the swingarm mount to the frame has a small washer inbetween. Because it is one of those "crown" style washers it let in moisture causeing it to rust. My bike would push start and run all day, but stopped didn't have enough juice to turn over the starter. I replaced mine with a stainless bolt and washer. I also removed some of the powder coating on the frame as it seemed this was also contributing to the issue. That was two years ago and I haven't had that problem since! On the other hand, I did have the wires on my stator go bad, but that problem had different effects. So chek that washer before you try anything else, it is cheap and easy to do. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
so koz, was it a rust issue. or just bad connection. (the other person with the gray/orange m2) (Message edited by nevrenuf on June 10, 2008) | ||
| Dnchevyman |
its a both issue... rust causes a bad connection... and a bad connection can allow rust to form.. further contributing to a bad connection. | ||
| Bill0351 |
I also have a grey and orange M2. Is this a common problem with the grey and orange ones? Bill | ||
| Koz5150 |
Not sure if it has anything to do with the powdercoating? I doubt it though. What happened on mine was the bad gound would actually arc when attempting to start the bike. This arcing metled the washer and with each start the washer got worse and worse. I could still pushstart the bike though and it would run. It took me awhile to find this on my bike. It wasn't till I tried to start the bike on a stand that I saw a small amount of smoke come from the general area and tracked it down. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Koz, Did you ever check your voltages on the battery? Mine is not staying charged. I just charged it with the car today, and rode for two hours. Had to get a jump once, and push once later. Voltage at beginning of ride (started fine)= 11.73V Voltage at end of ride = 9.33V | ||
| Oldog |
Brin if the voltage does not come up over 12v while running You may have a charging problem FYI, YMMV | ||
| Brinnutz |
Bill, What happened and what did you do to fix it? | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Wilson... your battery just isn't charging. My manual says that a battery with 11.8V is at 0% charge. A 100% charged battery should read 12.7v. Charge the battery, before you start the bike, test the volts. (wait i forgot you dont have a charger.... bring it over tonight if you want!) | ||
| Brinnutz |
Ian, Thanks for the offer! I just talked to the guy where I'll be getting the garage at the apartment (he's leaving end of the month), I've talked to him several times and he's letting me use his tools until the weekend. So this weekend you can come over and we'll work on it here. He's also got a charger, which I'm charging the battery right now. I'm foregoing doing my homework for tomorrow AM's class to get this thing going. I'm going to pull an all nighter tonight to get the wheel off and check grounds, etc. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
hope you get it figured out brin. nothing worse than seeing the m2 down(out of commision about 2 months having the motor rebuilt last year, but having more than one bike helps offset that) | ||
| Bill0351 |
How did it go? Bill | ||
| Rick_a |
Running battery voltage should be 13-14.5, otherwise she ain't charging. FYI jumping any vehicle is a real bad idea except for emergency use for short distances. It'll ruin the charging system pretty quickly. A battery that reads under 10 V is generally F'ed. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Well, thought I figured it out...But everyone is saying 13V and higher when she's running. I was getting about 12.49V while running today. Here's the thing, I was playing with all the wires around the starter, and I slightly moved this harness (I think it comes from the voltage regulator) and it poped apart. It's traingular in shape and the inside connector is triangle and orange. So, I'm still going to take off the ground strap and check for corrosion. Hope I fixed it. Oh, and I left it on a charger (oaken battery) all night for a full charge. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Well, that didn't fix it. It doesn't seem to be draining the battery as fast as it was previously though... I've tried everything..maybe theres a broken wire, that's the next step, after that I'm betting it's the stator. | ||
| New12r |
12.49 V is too low, min. should be 13.5. Check the stator before you replace it, your VR could be bad. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Ok, since I live 1.5hrs from nearest Buell dealer, can I just use the Sportster Stator and VR? | ||
| Brinnutz |
Well, I'm fairly certain it's th voltage regulator. I did a resistance check on the Stator and it is within spec according to the manual. Going to hopefully be able to get a VR from local Harley shop as Buell shop is 1.5hrs away. Here's to hoping.... But, good thing is my bike will be freshly polished for Homecoming and wll not be rocking the Tail section. I don't know why, but I'm really liking the look of the Cyclone sans tail plastic. Next to ditch will be front fairing! If I ever get around to making any money to pay for that mod. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
My 99 M2 ate it's VR, it's an easy job to replace. Best advice I can give you is to go through the whole battery system, cleaning the connections as you go. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Well, I got it fixed. Called local Harley shops. They said nope, different than Sportster VR. So, I called Jim Bailey's HD/Buell, they had one VR for the M2 in stock. Downside, they closed at 4pm, it was 2pm, and It's a 1.5-2hr drive. Well, taking some back roads, and such in my car, I made it there at ten til 4pm. Well, bought the VR, couple of gaskets, a tank map holder for the trip, a Buell High Octane Helmet (the one with the Orange racing stripes) for only $125... No shirts though, dammit. They did have the Buell Vanson racing jackets on sale for like $270 or something. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
so it looks like everythings alright | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
When you fit the new VR you MUST make sure it's got a good ground, clean around the screw holes to make sure the connection is A1, if you don't you'll get nothing but trouble. Glad it's sorted for you. |
