Charging Light Came on

[lkm]

Be damned if the thing comes on right AFTER I SHIP OUT my motorcycles forks. So now, I can't ride my bike and wait a while to fix it. I checked the manual and it says electrical charging system problem and check the alternator belt. I have yet to do that because it is midnight and the engine is hot. Anything else I should be aware off before I get into it tommorrow? like grounding points i should check, how to tell if its the battery or the alternator, etc?

[F22-GURU]

From your explanation the Voltage Regulator is not Charging The Battery.

First of all check to make sure the Alternator Belt is still on there & adjusted correctly.
Check the Battery Terminals for Security & Battery Posts for Cleanliness.
Check The Grounds at the Fuse Box, Inner Gaurd & The Alternator.
Check the Main Wiring Connector in the Rear of the Alternator for Security.

Connect up a Multi-Meter to the Battery - It should register between 12.0 - 12.75 Volts with No Load (Lights & Accessories Off)
Start The Engine and check the Voltage Reading. Take Engine Revs up to a Steady 1500 Rpm - Should be registering between 14 - 14.5 Volts (No Load)
With Lights On and Switched to High Beam (Loaded), Voltage should drop about 1/2 a volt & recover immediately.
If it is still registering only 12 - 13 Volts @ 1500 rpm with & without load then the Alternator is not charging.
Replace The Alternator.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Under NO Circumstances Disconnect the Positive or Negative Battery Terminals while the Engine is Running.
This is the fastest way of blowing the Rectifiers in the Alternator and Possibly Spiking the ECU.
It takes about a thousandth of a second to Blow the Rectifiers once the terminal is removed. That's when the smoke and sparks will start billowing out of the alternator.

Do Not Listen to anyone who suggests to check the alternator by removing the terminals with the engine running.

This may have been a way of checking Generators in older cars but it is a major NO NO in later model cars.

The Generators used to generate power, Alternators Don't.

[lkm]

ty. i just did a search and apparenrtly this happenned to others too. I'm pretty sure its the alternator because i have 212k miles. anyways, ty again and will check all that in the morning.

now, i have to figure out how the heck i'm going to get the battery charged in order to go anywhere and get another one. maybe even get it rebuilt.

[F22-GURU]

Go to your local Auto Parts Store & purchase a Small Battery Charger.
Make Sure Ignition is OFF and Remove the Battery's Neg - Terminal then Pos + Terminal.
If the Battery has 6 screw top lids. Undo the Lids and let them rest on the opening. Make Sure the The Battery has the correct electrolyte levels.
Make Sure power to battery charger is off. Connect Up the Charger (Red to + and Black to -) to the Battery and switch charger on. Let it trickle charge overnight.
Do this in a well ventilated area.
Switch off the power to the Charger before disconnecting charger from battery.
Refit Lids.
Reconnect Battery Pos + first then Battery Neg.

[lkm]

good idea about the trickle charger. I actually should have bought one for my bike since their batts go empty and die faster during the winter.

also, TY about the don't remove the posts. I was seriously going to do that.

[lkm]

Alternator belt is still on and alright.
batts post were fine.
grounds- i wish i could find them.


I checked and charged the batt at pepboys. voltage was 12.4 then under load about the same.

i'm going to check the back of the alternator for that connector you mentioned.