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Regulator/rectifier - sound like the problem?

5949 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by mendonjo, Aug 31, 2010

Rohnsman

Discussion Starter · Jul 25, 2010

A mechanic stopped by my place today to help diagnose the cause of my '93 TW not charging the battery (and hence running it dead after a couple hours of riding). He put a meter on it and determined that I have a bad regulator/rectifier. Looks like a real simple fix, pull two screws and a plug, plug in a new unit, tighten the screws and hope it works. The diagnosis seems plausible enough as when measured the output to the battery was far below the required 12V plus.

So... aside from coughing up to my local Yamaha shop, anyone have a place they like to shop for TW parts? The mechanic also said I could use a new chain and sprockets and said I could get new non-OEM parts that would be just as good and much cheaper than Yamaha. Agree? If so, again, where to shop?

Thanks... Rick

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Rohnsman

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 25, 2010

I see a couple of styles available online...

This one which looks just like the one in the bike --

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...1583061QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

And this one, which says it will fit in my '93, but looks different (better?) with what appear to better cooling fins...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...5453983QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Any opinion on what would be the best way to go?

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davidsonsgccc

· #3 · Jul 26, 2010

if the wiring looks the same and if the ratings are the same it should be fine. if the price i right i would do it.

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Rohnsman

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 6, 2010

Put in a new regulator/rectifier today, but it doesn't seem to have licked the problem. Gonna have my new mechanic buddy come by Sunday to ponder over what else it could be. His preliminary checks indicated the stator was just fine, so now it's a hunt for other electrical issues. Such fun...

Update... In checking we found some bad connectors and wires, (It might not have beed the regulator at all). Crusty connectors and bad wires seem to be a fact of life on an older bike. I'm wondering if I can get some of the wiring components and connectors from Yamaha w/o having to spring for a whole new wiring harness (which I'm sure would be in the $300 range). The main part I need is the connector that plugs into the regulator. Any idea where I might find that alone?

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Rohnsman

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 12, 2010

Truelight said:
Put in a new regulator/rectifier today, but it doesn't seem to have licked the problem. Gonna have my new mechanic buddy come by Sunday to ponder over what else it could be. His preliminary checks indicated the stator was just fine, so now it's a hunt for other electrical issues. Such fun...

Update... In checking we found some bad connectors and wires, (It might not have beed the regulator at all). Crusty connectors and bad wires seem to be a fact of life on an older bike. I'm wondering if I can get some of the wiring components and connectors from Yamaha w/o having to spring for a whole new wiring harness (which I'm sure would be in the $300 range). The main part I need is the connector that plugs into the regulator. Any idea where I might find that alone?

The final outcome --! I had gone to my local Yamaha dealer for some electrical parts and after some discussion, finally decided to let them deal with the electrical problem where they had the parts, tools, and know-how. I also had they mount my new chain and sprockets. The total bill wasn't as bad as I thought it might be and now the bike runs great, the battery is getting a nice 14-volt charge, and all is good. Best of all - I can ride again. The lesson I learned is that it's sometimes worth it to pay a bit more and thus experience less downtime trying to do it yourself. It works, I know it's done right, and I'm "back in the saddle again." Yee Haw!

(Oh yeah... though I did replace the regulator, I'm not entirely sure that was the problem, but instead probably just some corroded connectors and bad wires.)

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Xracer

· #6 · Aug 12, 2010

If you find a dealer that know's what their doing and charges you a fair price...Stick with them. There are lot's of tails of woe out there so it's nice to hear some good news about a dealer. B.T.W. I've worked in the cycle bizz for a lot of years.

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mendonjo

· #7 · Aug 29, 2010

Truelight,

I am in the same spot you are. No charging and my hunch is the regulator. What did the Yamaha dealer replace? You would know if it was the charging coil because the bill would have been big.

Thanks,

Joe

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Rohnsman

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 29, 2010

mendonjo said:
Truelight,

I am in the same spot you are. No charging and my hunch is the regulator. What did the Yamaha dealer replace? You would know if it was the charging coil because the bill would have been big.

Thanks,

Joe

I bought a regulator from Cycle Gear and replaced the old one, but as it turned out, it was a bad connector and wiring that probably was the culprit. If you aren't getting somewhere in the neighborhood of 13.5-14 volts at the battery with the engine running, that's a problem. Someone with a knowledge of motorcycle electrics and skilled with a multimeter will be able to diagnose what is causing the problem. If it's the regulator, you're looking at about $70 for the part. I put that in myself, (simple two screws and a plug-in - but as with EVERY phillips screw on the bike, you might want to invest in an impact driver before you ruin the screw head and wind up cussing yourself)

As I said, it turned out to be the wiring and a bad connector. My Yamaha dealer figured it out and fixed it, but the work was also combined with installation of new front and rear sprockets and a new chain. I bought the parts, but total labor for the job was just under $100. I considered it money well spent as it got the electrical system working again on the bike and the battery charging.

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mendonjo

· #9 · Aug 31, 2010

Thanks Truelight, your response was very helpful.

I am good with the experience and tools, I just had no way of testing the regulator/rectifier (besides no values are given anywhere). You are just supposed to replace it if the charging coils check OK. I just hated to spend the $89 if I wasn't absolutely sure it was the regulator.

Thanks Again,

Joe

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