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Carved
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« on: August 25, 2022, 04:07:30 PM » |
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New to me bike with 30k miles, on my first long ride when gauges stopped working headlight went out and it got me just off the freeway before quitting. I checked all the fuses I could find, wiring harness and battery grounds, nothing. Bought a new battery, which got me home but no charging.
I took the alternator out, looked great but took it apart and cleaned it with electric cleaner and compressed air. Brushes have plenty left. Bearings are good. Put it all back together and no change. Anything else I should check before replacing the the alternator? I have a multi-meter and wiring diagram.
Thanks
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2022, 05:00:24 PM » |
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Did you check the 55A fusable link. After all, it’s really just a fuse for the alternator
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old2soon
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« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2022, 08:16:41 PM » |
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Don't mean to question but the battery cable Ground goes to the frame in a Really Fun spot from the factory. RIDE SAFE.
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Carved
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« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2022, 08:24:56 PM » |
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Thanks for the suggestion. I did check the fusible link. The alternator looks so clean. I wonder if the PO replaced it recently. It’s a Hitatchi so still a stock unit.
I’ll look for the ground to frame. Thanks
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Steel cowboy
Member
Posts: 1284
Moving ahead so life won’t pass me by.
Spring Hill, Fl.
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« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2022, 05:27:18 AM » |
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Our alternators require a 12 volt input to get them to start to put out voltage. If you tested the unit with out that 12 volts it’s just going to sit there. Maybe the voltage feed is not there, bad wire or something else. Look on the back side you will see the 12 “exciter” wire input plug it has 2 prongs.
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2001 black interstate
2003 Jupiter Orange wing
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da prez
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« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2022, 07:01:20 AM » |
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My usual rant. Remove and clean all connections. Grounds , supply etc. Loose or corroded connections cause resistance, heat up and can loosen up on their own
. I use silicone dia elecrtic on most connections. Start bike (if needed from a non running vehicle) and put voltmeter to battery positive
Slowly increase rpm and check output. If all wiring is correct ,then alternator is probably bad.
da prez
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Carved
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« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2022, 10:18:20 AM » |
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It was the alternator. The wiring on this bike looks really good.
I ordered a used one and it’s on the way. Hopefully I’ll be riding by next week. Thanks for the suggestions.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2022, 01:52:59 PM » |
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It was the alternator. The wiring on this bike looks really good.
I ordered a used one and it’s on the way. Hopefully I’ll be riding by next week. Thanks for the suggestions.
A used one ? I’d at least put in new brushes before installing. |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2022, 02:16:43 PM » |
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I'm a fan of some used stuff... Pinwall lists the mileage of the bikes he parts out. I've had a pinwall rear rotor for some number of years now, and I installed this nice low mileage alternator a couple of years ago...  It would be easier for an alternator to have a hidden problem than a rotor, but... -Mike |
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Carved
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« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2022, 10:53:07 PM » |
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Just a quick update. I put an alternator in from Pinwall thanks to the suggestions. I put new brushes and bearings in and cleaned/greased the terminals. I am curious if I can figure out what’s wrong with my old and have it fixed. It seems prudent to have a backup.
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csj
Member
Posts: 992
I used to be a wolfboy, but I'm alright NOOOOOWWWW
Peterborough Ontario Canada
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« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2022, 07:03:04 AM » |
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Last year I had two alternators die. It was the rotor winding on both.
I couldn't get it repaired anywhere. Nobody can find the rotor 'bobbin' so that the rotor can be re-wound.
So, we got another quite expensive alternator from mother Honda. Hasn't died yet. Fingers crossed.
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A guy called me a Ba$tard, I said in my case it's an accident
of birth, in your case you're a self made man.
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5760
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2022, 07:59:08 PM » |
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Did the replacement work?
There is a how to in the Service Manual, tells you how to test your alternator. Most likely if the brushes are good and freely moving, then it would be a winding.
For all.
Next time. Get your meter out and test the output of the alternator while the bike is running.
If it has 12v, then it's not making it to where it needs to go, usually the bog bone fuse failure, put the meter on there and test it too.
Not producing power, check the exciter wire, does it have 12v? Like mentioned, without 12v going to the alternator, you can't get 12v from it.
I believe it was DDT rode his bike with a dead alternator and used a portable battery jump starter as the power for the bike, with the head light fuse removed.
Add a visible voltmeter to your bike, so you can see when the alternator isn't working, before you run out of battery life.
Any alternator work, remove the 12v lead from the battery, before you blow something up.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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Avanti
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« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2022, 07:32:10 AM » |
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Did the replacement work?
There is a how to in the Service Manual, tells you how to test your alternator. Most likely if the brushes are good and freely moving, then it would be a winding.
For all.
Next time. Get your meter out and test the output of the alternator while the bike is running.
If it has 12v, then it's not making it to where it needs to go, usually the bog bone fuse failure, put the meter on there and test it too.
Not producing power, check the exciter wire, does it have 12v? Like mentioned, without 12v going to the alternator, you can't get 12v from it.
I believe it was DDT rode his bike with a dead alternator and used a portable battery jump starter as the power for the bike, with the head light fuse removed.
Add a visible voltmeter to your bike, so you can see when the alternator isn't working, before you run out of battery life.
Any alternator work, remove the 12v lead from the battery, before you blow something up.
Best alternator advise you will ever receive. |
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98valk
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« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2022, 08:47:35 AM » |
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best alternators are the ones made from '88-'95 when they were still made in japan. after those dates china.
watch ebay, there are many low mileage Goldwings in those yrs being parted out. I was able 2 yrs ago get a '93 with 20k miles on it for $65. emailed the seller he said the bike was from an estate sale and he said he could make more money parting it than getting it running and then selling the complete m/c.
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Carved
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« Reply #14 on: October 08, 2022, 11:24:16 AM » |
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Amazing advice and responses! Yes, the $65 replacement alternator worked. I have since added my aux. 12v power port for gps, usb charger and heated gear powered by a fuse box and relay. Last night I went for a 300 mile ride and had no issues. Loving the bike more and more. This is my first large cruiser coming off mostly dual sports and big advs. I’m amazed at the intuitive, easy handling compared to my brother’s road glide. Now I just need to quiet down the exhaust so my 90 yo neighbors stop giving me dirty looks  |
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98valk
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« Reply #15 on: October 08, 2022, 11:48:53 AM » |
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Amazing advice and responses! Yes, the $65 replacement alternator worked. I have since added my aux. 12v power port for gps, usb charger and heated gear powered by a fuse box and relay. Last night I went for a 300 mile ride and had no issues. Loving the bike more and more. This is my first large cruiser coming off mostly dual sports and big advs. I’m amazed at the intuitive, easy handling compared to my brother’s road glide. Now I just need to quiet down the exhaust so my 90 yo neighbors stop giving me dirty looks  |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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john
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« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2022, 03:07:09 PM » |
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" battery cable Ground goes to the frame " ... |
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vrcc # 19002
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old2soon
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« Reply #17 on: November 27, 2022, 08:28:44 AM » |
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These Phatt Ghurls of ours Are Very ADDICTIVE! Now granted I've not ridden in awhile But mine seems to anticipate the curves and switchbacks Nicely. And fer 800 plus pounds I've marveled more than once-WHERE do the weight go when I ease out the clutch and git both feet on the pegs? And I KNOW Not the fastedt M/C out there BUT Not exactly a slouch!  And low speed handling Not too shabby either. Git yerself to Inzane 23 and see some of our Members Show you slow speed ridin skills! Happy you got yer electrical stuff sorted out. My Brother-da prez-understands the dark arts of electrical far better than I duz!  SUGGESTION. Put yer town on yer avatar some help Just Might be Close!  Enjoy the Wind as much as yer Valkyrie duz!  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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csj
Member
Posts: 992
I used to be a wolfboy, but I'm alright NOOOOOWWWW
Peterborough Ontario Canada
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« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2022, 09:19:26 AM » |
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quote by Carved 'Just a quick update. I put an alternator in from Pinwall thanks to the suggestions. I put new brushes and bearings in and cleaned/greased the terminals. I am curious if I can figure out what’s wrong with my old and have it fixed. It seems prudent to have a backup.' So, I got a gripe. I'll complain once, and not again. I'm a member on 3 different flat-6 motorcycle boards. At least 10 guys, on those boards, have complained of their alternators crapping out, and search hard for a reason. Eventually they don't get the result they want, and just replace with a new alternator, without ever taking their dead unit apart and determining what was the cause. I believe 9 out of 10 dead units are the field/rotor winding. Easy to check. That said, this article is a great how-to on Actually fixing a dead rotor winding (not easy). https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18463 |
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A guy called me a Ba$tard, I said in my case it's an accident
of birth, in your case you're a self made man.
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98valk
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« Reply #19 on: December 07, 2022, 10:02:48 AM » |
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quote by Carved 'Just a quick update. I put an alternator in from Pinwall thanks to the suggestions. I put new brushes and bearings in and cleaned/greased the terminals. I am curious if I can figure out what’s wrong with my old and have it fixed. It seems prudent to have a backup.' So, I got a gripe. I'll complain once, and not again. I'm a member on 3 different flat-6 motorcycle boards. At least 10 guys, on those boards, have complained of their alternators crapping out, and search hard for a reason. Eventually they don't get the result they want, and just replace with a new alternator, without ever taking their dead unit apart and determining what was the cause. I believe 9 out of 10 dead units are the field/rotor winding. Easy to check. That said, this article is a great how-to on Actually fixing a dead rotor winding (not easy). https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18463 |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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