Electrical problems can be some of the most perplexing for people who repair motorcycles. The reason why is that they can be challenging to figure out. You know the bike isn’t working properly, or in some cases not at all, but where the problem originates can sometimes be a mystery. Simply put, electrical problems can be hard to diagnose. The best approach is to know the signs that come from failing electrical components in the system.
What to look for when motorcycle electrical problems occur
1) Battery: The battery is the most basic place to start when investigating motorcycle electrical problems. Make sure your battery is measuring at a minimum of 12 volts. You can check this reading with a voltmeter. If the battery is reading at only 10 or fewer volts after it has been fully charged, chances are it has a damaged cell. You can expect to replace the battery of your motorcycle periodically over the life of your bike.
2) Stator Coil or Alternator: The battery is the storage unit that holds electrical power, but it can’t generate voltage on its own. That’s the job of the alternator or stator coil. Most motorcycles use a stator coil, but a few motorcycles are designed with an alternator. Signs that either of these components are failing include erratic performance of electrical accessories. If your headlight and taillight randomly dim or flicker, it could be a sign of a dying stator coil or alternator.
3) Starter: The starter relies on power from the battery to get the motorcycle going. If your motorcycle is having problems starting or not starting at all, it could be either a bad battery or a bad starter. So how do you tell find out which one? There are a few indicators. If your lights are bright and steady, that makes it look more like the starter than the battery. Clicking sounds when attempting to start the motorcycle also point to a starter problem.
4) Ignition Coils: Ignition coils transform low voltage from the battery into volts that produce the electric spark. Telltale signs of a bad ignition coil are sluggishness and jerky performance. Rough idling, vibrations misfires and backfires are all signs that you should check the condition of your ignition coil.
5) Regulator/Rectifier: Motorcycles generally have this dual-purpose component as opposed to two separate components as in some vehicles. The rectifier takes AC power and converts it into DC power for the battery. The regulator manages the flow of voltage to prevent damage to the battery and other electrical components. Like many electrical problems, hard starts, dim lights and erratic performance are all signs. One unique indicator is a battery that drains quickly. If you have a newer battery and it loses its charge faster than it should, you should suspect the regulator/rectifier as a possible reason.
6) CDI Module: When riding a motorcycle, there are times you need that extra burst of power. That’s the function of the CDI module to provide extra energy when needed. A failing CDI module can be hard to pinpoint as the problem. If you’ve ruled out everything else, try replacing the CDI module with a different one. If your bike is back in good working order, the CDI module was likely the weak point in the system.
Keeping motorcycle electrical systems in good working order
Figuring out electrical issues for motorcycles is challenging because several components can exhibit the same symptoms when going bad. Identifying specific sources of the problem can often be a trial-and-error process. That’s why it’s important to know the subtle signs for electrical issues to try to narrow down the possibilities for a failing.
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