BMW R65 not charging even after new rotor, diode board, voltreg!!!!!

[mohabie]

I'll try to summarize this as best as possible...

This past Daytona Bike Week, my Gen. light popped on sometime during the event, and stayed on. G r e a t. I brought my battery charger and kept the battery charged, so I wouldn't be completely dead in the water. The next day, I hit a bump in the road, and the light went off, immediately. OK- loose wire I thought. It stayed off the rest of the day.

Next day, heading home, not so lucky. the Gen light came back on and I ended up stopping every 20 miles to charge up at a gas station :lol3

Tearing the bike apart, I didn't notice any loose wires. hmmm. Researching the boards, I ended up replacing the rotor, brushes, diode board, voltage regulator and upgraded to new wiring through parts purchased at www.euromotoelectrics.com. I just stuck with stock parts, I don't need all that extra power the aftermarket products provide.

I got it all back together, and still the Gen light shines bright. Swapped batteries, still the light shines bright. I should have ordered the stator when I got all the other parts, but I ordered it today. Its a 1984 bike, and the stator is probably original, so its time I guess.

The question is, assuming the stator isnt the problem, what one wire or connection would kill the charging system but still keep the gen light on? Everything lights up great, bike starts, blinkers work, neutral light is on when in neutral, etc. Boy do I hate chasing electrical problems!

 

[Rich Ard]

Read: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/trbleshootALT.htm

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

You didn't mention any voltages...are you troubleshooting with a voltmeter? Taking readings? Replacing everything, as you've seen, does not go to the root cause of the problem. A loose connection may be the problem, but without a good troubleshooting technique, you won't really know what the issue is.

Have you checked the stator for grounds, opens, resistance? Ceched any of the wires to see if they have broken?

I don't have a BMW, but after over 40 years of troubleshooting, give me a volt/ohmmeter (VOM) and a schematic, and I can narrow down the problem. You can to...Buy a good VOM and you will save yourself time and money.

If you actually did use a VOM, then ignore this...but then tell us the volts and resistance you measured, maybe someone has some insight on the issue.