Lithium battery charging and Rec/Reg issues

[XB12ss in NZ]

Here is my story...a chicken and egg situ?

Riding away and engine warning light comes on.
Pull over and my 2008 XB12ss won't restart. Clicking only.
Recovery vehicle finds battery (a Shorai Li-Iron) at 14.4V but 21V (overcharging) under load and only 19 CCA.
Shorai just under 3 years old. Intitial problems but none in last 2 years.
Shop finds Rec/Reg stuffed - replaced and new lead acid battery to get going.
Been charging/running well since.
But engine warning light still on - Ha!
Shop reckons (but can't test) maybe the small motor on top of cleaner that runs exhaust actuating valve is faulty and causing engine warning light to come on...
Could that motor have been affected when rec/reg went down?
That motor hums when keyed on. Don't think I've heard that before...
Exhaust note under load seems sweeter though. Maybe because butterfly is constantly open...
Anyone experienced this situation?

Also do you think the Shorai Li-Iron - yet to be fully tested, caused the Rec/Reg to fail or the other way round. Mmm

Many thanks
Electrical Novice

 

[AZmidget91]

What code is the check engine light showing?

 

[Cooter]

There's a bunch of unrelated symptoms going on.

First, yes the regulator was bad (to charge that high) and could cause electrical damage supplying 21 volts to the system. Usually it's the headlights that fail first.

Li-ion batteries aren't very 'charge sensitive' like the optima style are, and can take a wide variety of charge rates with no problem so I don't see a problem there. They have been put on many other Buells without an issue.

If the 'shop' you are going to can't even get codes from the bike, stop going there. It's an easy internet search to find out how, and if they aren't even doing that...
They are just guessing (with you paying the bill).

It will sound different with the exhaust valve open or closed.

Like AZ said. Check the codes.

 

[XB12ss in NZ]

Many thanks guys.

Yes the "shop" guessing it is the exhaust actuator motor. Does it usually hum when keyed on? Not sure it did before electrical misbehaving.

They are not Buell/Harley specialists. Had to use them over the holiday period.

Is there a way to get the codes out without an ECMspy or similar tool?

I've looked around for the empty 4 pin plug under seat to no avail it's an 08 XB12ss.

Without workshop manual not sure if dash can show codes after button pushing sequence on these?

Cheers Jim

 

[XB12ss in NZ]

Right on Cooter - the main headlight bulb did fail first, then the battery/regulator problem arose...

 

[Rays]

Jim, sent you a PM for an email address - I have scanned a few pages from the manual related to reading the codes using the diagnostic port. Ray

 

[user_deleted]

click this link and it will give you all the number for fault codes...what each means...how to retrieve them. also do this:
with fully charged battery and headlight on low beam/all accessories off....check charging system with volt meter. should have a reading of between 13.1-14.2 volts DC @ approx. 2500rpm. anything within that range acceptable.
interactive exhaust valve atop your muffler should be rotated front in the closed postion with key off. upon initial key/run switch to on should cycle thru then close again. the modulator component that sits atop your airbox lid will throw a stored fault code if the system flares up.

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/146574.html

 

[syncope]

I had issues with my 08 Lighting Long, had replaced regulator and then battery. Would die on me driving down the road, erratic idling, headlights flickering, etc. Checked every ground wire, performed the ground wire fix recommended on another thread on this site underneath headlight box with no results. I finally found the two small wires that connected to the positive battery cable at terminal connector had broken and were held in place by the rubber boot that covers the end of cable. They were touching enough to start but when running the vibration from the engine would be enough to cause the issues. May just be my bike but if nothing else works you could check. EDIT-the wires that go a fuse and voltage regulator. I was also having issues with battery overcharging as well, I had high voltage codes and the battery was charging over 15 volts. Now I am hard pressed to see how a weak connection could cause this issue but even the service manual says a poor connection will cause high voltage.My battery now is at 14.3 volts running.

 

[XB12ss in NZ]

Will try all suggestions particularly getting the fault codes out.
In addition to a ride without the air box lid to see where the exhaust actuator is at.
Appreciate the vibration and wiring issue syncope. Will check.
The Shorai guy here reckons my Li-Iron battery life was compromised by not using the foam packers supplied.
And feels vibration esp with 1200 motors can cause circuit boards to fault...
Very useful forum. Should've checked in years ago..

Will report back outcome and any useful discoveries.

Cheers Jim

 

[Cooter]

I'm curious where in NZ are you? My Mom had a place in Tairua (North, North Island) for a spell.

 

[XB12ss in NZ]

I'm curious where in NZ are you? My Mom had a place in Tairua (North, North Island) for a spell.

That's a beautiful part of the Coromandel Peninsula. I'm bottom of the North - Wellington.
Windy Welly - Well it is today, but might get a test ride in. Cheers

 

[Cooter]

Oh! The 'big' city, haha! Cheers.

 

[XB12ss in NZ]

So the jump wire and flash test threw out 2 codes: a 21 and 16, as to why engine warning light (CEL) still on...
Priority order tells me 21 is exhaust valve actuator stuck open.
Priority order tells me 16 Battery voltage high.
New batt/rec/reg and tests shows charging ok..so don't know about 16.
Valve actuator stuck open makes sense - the exhaust note is different esp in mid range.
Power through all ranges appears better, just sounds sweeter. I guess this is why many choose after market exhaust kits..and bypass this stock setup.
So it is possible the motor that works the valve cable was cooked when the rec/reg went down.
Might leave as is for now. Although something bugs me about that.
I understand the CEL light will no longer illuminate after 50 run cycles.

Thanks to all for help.
Very useful forum. Cheers.