First Post: Check Engine Light

[mzurla]

So, I just want to start this off by saying that I'm a first time poster/buell owner/motorycle rider. I bought an 05 XB9R a few weeks ago, and the bike has been running fine. I installed license plate LED lights to bring it up to inspection standards last night (tapped into the taillight for these). It took me a while longer to get the wiring done than it should have, but I was constantly turning the ignition on and off, checking to make sure I hadn't screwed up my tail/brake lights. This morning I went to start it up, and it had a short pause as the engine turned, but eventually got there and started up. I hopped on and took off for work. I didn't notice it at first but my CEL was on, so being new to bikes I figure, let me turn the bike off and turn it back on to see if the code will clear (my old Camaro used to throw random codes but would clear with the next start). The bike won't turn, but the gauges move when the ignition is turned on, the fuel pump runs, and the starter clicks. I had to push it home and didn't have time to trouble shoot before hopping in the car to hustle to work. Since there's no battery light on the bike, does this just sound like I drained the battery too much last night and a charge should do the trick? Again, new to Buells/bikes in general and just feeling a little anxious.

 

[Cosworth]

If the starter clicks its a battery issue. How old is the battery, clean all the posts thoroughly, and make sure its tightened up. Charge the battery back up and check your voltage with a multimeter while running to make sure its charging correctly.

Also its a good idea to read up on how to check the codes on these bikes.
Heres a good thread on how to.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/146574.html

 

[mzurla]

Battery has more than a few years on it, not sure exactly how old it is though (I'm at work with bike home so can't check). I should be reading about 14V between the terminals at about 2,500rpms if the charging system is working properly, correct?

 

[Cosworth]

Yup somewhere between 13.7-14.2 give or take a few points. Im sure some people feel different but after 3 years or so I'd suspect the battery isnt holding as good of a charge anymore. I really like adding a voltmeter to the gauges a member on here sells a nearly bolt in kit or you can do the DIY.
Once you get the bike charged back up take it for a spin and then check your static battery voltage when you get back and again a hour or so after its cooled down. It'll give you a idea of the battery life.

volt gauge diy
http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...12Ss-CityX-XB12Scg/voltage-gauge-install-pics

 

[mzurla]

Awesome, thanks for the help/advice! Probably gonna try to run home at lunch and tinker for a few minutes

 

[mzurla]

So I went home at lunch and charged up the battery. With a full charge the bike started up just fine, no CEL. I was using my neighbors battery charger with a built in voltmeter, so I left it hooked up while running and it was only pulling 10.9-11.1V and wasn't changing really at all when revving the rpms up. When I wired the license plate lights up, I connected to the positive wire for the tail light, and connected the ground straight to the negative terminal of the battery (I was having a b**** of a time getting at the ground for the taillight so that ended up being easier). Is it possible that I did something to the charging system by doing this? The load from the 2 little LEDs can't be that much that it would really effect the charging system.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cosworth]

Doesnt seem likely that your LED's did this. At this point the best advice I can give is to download the service manual and run the tests for the charging system. At the very top of this page there is a link to the service manuals section 7 should be electrical. Do the tests for the stator and regulator/rectifier

 

[Cosworth]

Also check connector #77 its known to be a weak part and frequently melts causing charging issues

Heres a link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eGkF1pN1dftycPcTD-6Mb4p19gcxWvXEJcIIjEVFycw/edit?pli=1

 

[Cosworth]

I also dont know how much I trust battery charger built in volt meters. I highly suggest investing in a multimeter, craftsman brand arent too expensive. But even a harbor freight $10 cheapo are fairly accurate.

 

[mzurla]

Yea, I was going to pick one up today to do the testing. I'm headed out of town for the weekend, and have been messing with the bike the past couple of days, so don't think the lady is going to let me play in the garage tonight. I might take the day on Wednesday to do some troubleshooting. Also, when the charger said the battery was "fully charged" it was only reading 12.0V then, which I was just reading isn't fully charged. Does this sound like a bad battery and would a bad battery affect the reading of the charging system while running?

 

[Cosworth]

The bike should still have a correct output (maybe higher in an attempt to recharge the battery) even with a bad battery. You can take it and have it load tested if you think it might be the culprit. But it should have shown a check engine code for low voltage if the charging system wasnt working. (though this is in question since the charger was still hooked up)

 

[mzurla]

So, I hooked the battery back up to the charger Friday at lunch. The charger gives me a message that there is either an open cell or the battery is sulfated. Take that to the store to swap it out for a new one. Hook up the new one, fully charged before turning the bike on, reading 12.38V. Turn the bike on, 11.8V, rev the engine, no change really in voltage. I had a multimeter coming from Amazon for $8 and was heading out of town for the weekend, so I finally got back to looking at the bike yesterday evening when we got back.

Bike was still only reading 11.8V while running/revving the engine. I take the pully cover off, the stator checks out (not grounding out, proper resistance pin to pin, good AC output while running), the regulator seemed fine and that 77 connector didn't look terrible so I button everything back up, and check the voltage at the battery; 12.4 idling, gets up to 13.3-13.6 at 2K-2.5K rpms. Took it for a half hour test run, battery was still charged up and charging when I got back, and no issues riding into work this morning. I guess the battery was on its way out, and somehow a connection somewhere with the stator/regulator had gotten jostled. Anyways, figured I'd give an update. Thanks again for the help. Also, this forum has been a great place to head to when troubleshooting issues.

 

[Cosworth]

Glad it worked out for you. Happy buellin