WTF is wrong with my charging system?

[Oscar54]

Have you downloaded the FZ manual?

If not, do it, and go to page 8-25 troubleshooting charging problem.

This will allow you to proceed logically and isolate your problem.

I suspect it is something simple, it usually is after mods. You will at least need to pull the inner faring, seat and tank, and get an inexpensive volt/ohm meter.

After you open it up so you can see most of the wiring, look for loose or disconnected connectors. Easy visual stuff first, then start down the troubleshooting list in the manual.

Goodluck

Lewis

[abacall]

Originally Posted by wrightme43

No my friend I was asking you a question to help trouble shoot your problem.

Sorry, sarcasm gets lost without tone..

Even with the voltage meter, how can I test the lines when the bike is apart? Doesn't it need to be running in order to check them?

Honestly, I might just take it in. I can handle mechanical, but electrical systems intimidate me...

I guess I'll have a look thought the manual first and see if there is something obvious. If I can't find anything I'll bring her to the dealer. I just hate relying on them, it usually leaves worse off then it goes in.

Unless there is someone local who wouldn't mind taking a look with me.

[wrightme43]

We can help you man.

Back to the first question.
You replaced the battery with a new battery. The bike continues to behave in exactly the same manner as before?

If this is so. I would like you to take your voltage meter and read across the new battery. It should read 12.7vdc.
If it reads less I would like you to trickle charge it over night and read it in the morning. Please post the exact voltage.

The light system is more than likely not the culprit. The headlamps are on a relay and unless the relay is failing, (sometimes they sorta melt inside and draw hella juice but still sorta work RARE) it is not your issue.

Do you have a alarm system?
Do you turn off and remove the key everytime you park the bike? (this is a dumb question I know, but I see them all the time parked with the lights still on)

Ok in order what is the most likely cause.
Bad battery. Check VDC and if its good, we need to have it load tested. Autozone/Advance such and the like does it for free.
Have you ever load tested a battery before?

It could be a bad ground. This is common. Follow the ground wire from the battery to the frame. Try to twist it on its bolt. Look for a green or white corrosion. If present remove bolt, clean with wire brush, wipe on coke or lemon juice. Wipe on baking soda and then rinse with plain water. Dry and reinstall. This corrosion is a very good sign that a poor ground is your problem if you find it.

Do you have any other electrical accesories? Heated grips. Extra lights, Radar?

You could actually have a bad stator. Again not likely but it could be.

Most likely the new battery was never fully charged.
Next most likely the new battery is bad. It happens pretty often.
Next most likely grounds.

These are assuming the system is not being drained out by leaving on lights or having some accesory that is direct wired to 12v. (not switched)

Tell us about any accesories wired up.

[wrightme43]

Oh and electricity is cool as hell. Its like water. Its some pretty neat stuff. I dig it, it can be a pain in the butt though like you said.

[abacall]

Originally Posted by wrightme43

We can help you man.

Back to the first question.
You replaced the battery with a new battery. The bike continues to behave in exactly the same manner as before?

Yes.

If this is so. I would like you to take your voltage meter and read across the new battery. It should read 12.7vdc.
If it reads less I would like you to trickle charge it over night and read it in the morning. Please post the exact voltage.

Will do.

Do you have a alarm system?
No.

Do you turn off and remove the key everytime you park the bike? (this is a dumb question I know, but I see them all the time parked with the lights still on)
Always.

Autozone/Advance such and the like does it for free.
Cant believe I forgot that!

Have you ever load tested a battery before?
Nope.

It could be a bad ground.
I'll have to check that when I remove the battery.

Do you have any other electrical accesories? Heated grips. Extra lights, Radar?
Nope.

You could actually have a bad stator. Again not likely but it could be.
Ok, dumb question. What's a stator?

Most likely the new battery was never fully charged.
Next most likely the new battery is bad. It happens pretty often.
I did buy the cheaper one, YUASA.

Tell us about any accesories wired up.
None that I can see. Got the bike used and the only mod I found is the BD light mod.

Thank you! That really gets me pointed in the right direction. I'm going to have to remove the battery and trickle charge it.
Unfortunately, I'm leaving out of town for two weeks tomorrow morning! Seeing as how it's 1AM, I'm not going to take it apart now.
I'll go through the process as soon as I get back. In the meantime, I have a paper copy of the service manual, I'll study the electrical system in it while I'm away and see what else I can find.

[wrightme43]

Ok good deal. That eliminates alot of stuff. If the wiring harness is stock you are down to just a few things.

The stator is inside the engine cover. Its a bunch of wires insulated from each other with varnish (sorta) and as the engine turns it spins a magnet it crosses the lines (fields) and creates a potential voltage. The rectofier (sp?) makes it into a useful voltage. This is how your battery is charged and what operates the electrical systems when the engine is spinning fast enough.

[abacall]

Like an alternator?

Originally Posted by abacall

Like an alternator?

Similar in that they both produce AC voltage which must be converted to DC through the rectifier or it won't work. Unlike a cage, the motorcycles battery powers everything so you can not take the leads off the battery and expect the bike to run where a cage would. Also, the cage alternator will give a full charge from the time it begins turning where the bikes system won't until it hits around 5,000 rpm on most sportbikes.

[Elm]

Ho Hum....I'll take a look.

[Elm]

Originally Posted by Elm

Ho Hum....I'll take a look.

Wrightme43 has great ideas. Here's more:

1)Battery cables making poor contact. Make sure they're tight.

2)Load excessive - Too much drainage from the dual headlight mod. Check by disabling it and running the FZ6 without it.

3)Wiring Faulty - Check grounds (earths) and wires. Look for corrosion, frays and disconnections.

4)Worn Fuse - Check all fuses, make sure none are blown.

LEAST LIKELY PROBLEMS

5)ALT. STATOR COIL OPENED or SHORTENED

6)Defective Switch ignition switch (ask sportriderFZ6 about this)