| Author | Message | ||
     Ron_luning |
Today while riding on the highway I looked down and saw a check engine light and the red battery light illuminated. The bike was running fine. I was going probably 5-5.5K rpm in 6th gear for 10 miles. I continued to ride the bike until I got home. Right away I checked the battery voltage with a multimeter. It read 11.25V. This matched the battery voltage on the instrument cluster. With the key on and the bike in diag mode the fans were running at the lowest speed. Within about 1 minute the voltage dropped to 10.2V, then it took less than a minute to drop to 9.3V. The only electrical items I have ever changed on the bike are the Buell brand heated hand grips, and the low beams are DDM Tuning 35W HID lights. The grips have been on there for a very long time, and the lights have been installed for several weeks. The lights were working fine as I was checking the battery voltage. Since I typically operate just a little over the 5K rpm rate, I don't think it would be the recently discussed stator overheating issue. I did check the tightness of the battery terminal connections. They were pretty snug, but I was able to tighten them about 1/8 turn (I stopped before getting to where it seemed I might damage the threads). It's on the battery tender now. If I don't plan on riding the bike for 1 or more days, I put it on the tender. Hopefully it won't happen again. Anyone have an experience like this? | ||
| Chevycummins |
Sometimes I will see the battery light come on in low speed stop and go driving and did have the low system voltage code set one time. My bike is an 08 so the charging system is a little smaller than yours. I would guess you may have a stator problem. Good thing yours is still under warranty, sounds like you will be seeing the dealer soon. | ||
| Kirb |
It doesn't sound like your bike is charging...voltage should be over 12V when running. | ||
| Syonyk |
Yeah, if you're showing under 12V running, the bike isn't being charged at all. 9.3V is essentially "totally dead" for the battery. You should be around 13.5-14.5v when running at higher RPM if the charging system is working properly. | ||
| Drawkward |
Had a similar problem with my '08. Battery wouldn't charge even with a battery tender and got the system voltage low. I already knew what the problem was before I took it to the dealer, but they said the battery tested dead and my voltage regulator was bad...probably from the dead battery (which CAN indeed kill a voltage regulator over time). They replaced the battery and regulator under warranty and it's been fine since then. I recommend taking it to your dealer AND getting a battery tender Jr or similar device and always plugging it in. These bikes are notorious for battery problems due to the high draw from the other components in the system (fans and fuel pump after shutdown and even the gauge cluster). But for 25 to 30 bucks to not have battery problems...sounds like a fair trade to me. Good luck with it. (Message edited by drawkward on February 25, 2010) | ||
| Moosestang |
A fully charged 12v battery is supposed to read 12.7 volts using a multimeter. If it's considerably less than that after charging all night, then it's probably the battery. My battery usually shows 12.2-12.4 volts on the gauge cluster when viewing in diagnostic mode. That's with the engine off of course. (Message edited by moosestang on February 25, 2010) | ||
| Ron_luning |
Well after charging up to 13.12 V overnight, the battery lasted 10 minutes before the low battery light came on again. Off to the dealer. | ||
| Chadmel23 |
+1 on the stator. That's basically what mine did when the stator went out. Unfortunate that you've got trouble, but at least it's under warranty. | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
Stator's have been a reaccuring problem on the 09's more Cr's than R's I believe, but that is exactly the problem. When the volts keep dropping especially when in motion its the stator 9 times out 10 mine went out at around 5,000 miles. The dealer had told me the new replacement is completely different than what was in there upon build new part number and everything. | ||
| Tbowdre |
Bummer ron.... where are you headed? keep me/us posted on your experience... seems socal is limited on buell technicians. I "heard' through the grapevine there's a buell guy at san diego harley in kearny mesa. I bought my bike at biggs and was going to give them a shot at service.... when needed knockknock knocking on wood todd | ||
| Tbowdre |
Bummer ron.... where are you headed? keep me/us posted on your experience... seems socal is limited on buell technicians. I "heard' through the grapevine there's a buell guy at san diego harley in kearny mesa. I bought my bike at biggs and was going to give them a shot at service.... when needed knockknock knocking on wood todd | ||
| Ron_luning |
Todd, I bought mine at Quaid in Temecula. The sales guys are pretty good, but I won't be going there again after dealing with the service department for crash repair in March 09. Since then I've gone to Biggs for warranty type stuff and I don't know about the tech's abilities, but the service management is honest (more than I can say for other places). When I was there today they told me about one customer that has had his stator fail 3 times, so I'm sure they'll be pretty good at replacing mine if needed. They said my bike is subject to the recall discussed elsewhere on this forum where an additional wiring harness is installed to prevent the stator from overheating. Hopefully the wait won't be too long on the parts. | ||
| Vinb |
I have that problem now normal was at 14.2-13.7 now I'm at 11-12 and I got a code of. 867 next dry day I get its going to the shop | ||
| Naiguy |
the guys at biggs are awsome! until the kit comes for my forth stator/ charging sytem repair I'm riding the bike with the tach at or past the twelve oclock position.! | ||
| Ron_luning |
Bike needs a new rotor and stator, along with the sub harness for the recall. Hopefully it won't take too long to get the parts, since my 1125R is my preferred commuter vehicle. | ||
| Tbowdre |
Biggs will treat you right is what I am hearin' good to know. thanks!! todd |
