Hi, I've got a 91 XT600 that doesn't seem to be charging the battery. With the light off I get 12.3v or thereabouts whether I rev it or not. If i ride with the light on, it runs fine until I stop.Then it will not restart (battery often under 11v) unless i charge the battery or roll start it. The same happens if the light is off, it just takes a little bit longer.
I've had the battery load tested and it is fine. I been told it's probably the regulator, I went to buy one but the storeman said I should test the stator first. I don't know where that is. Can some one please give me some fault finding tests or course of action so i can determine the problem, replace the correct part and stop roll starting and charging every night.
Thanks for your help
Izzy

Hi Izzy,

To test the alternator windings (Stator) you need to obtain a digital multi-meter (DMM) or an analogue multimeter - or find a workshop that will do this simple check for you.

To test them, with the ignition off, unplug the lead that comes from the left hand engine case, where it connects to the loom behind the front edge of the left hand side side panel. This lead should have 3 wires the same colour, plus some others, they will probably be white or yellow.

On the side that goes to the engine measure the resistance between all 3 combinations of the 3 (White?) wires, from memory they should all be about 0.5 ohms. Also measure each one to earth, all should be the maximum resistance the meter can display, or be off the scale of the highest resistance range.

Be sure to use the lowst resistance range for the first test, if the meter isn't anauto ranging type, ans subtract any reading you get when just touching the probes together to get the correct figure. Most likly, if the falt is here the reading will be "open circuit", ie: max resistance or same oa probes not touching anything. If that is the case there are companies who can repair them by rewinding, usually much cheaper than buying new.

If the stator checks out OK, re-plug it in and un-plug the rectifier / regulator unit, which is located under the trim panel behind the seat. Find the same 3 same coloured wires and repeat the tests to see if a wire in the loom has broken. Check that the rec/reg unit is well earthed with no corrosion interrupting the earth path, if it is earthed through it's mounting bolt.
If it is earthed through the loom, measure the pin on the connector to battery -ve (Sorry, can't remember the colour)

Also check that the other wire (or one of the other wires if it is earthed through the loom) can be measured back to the battery positive at less than 1 ohm.

If all the above check OK, I would try replacing the rec / reg, if you can't find anyone to lend you one. They cannot easily be tested.

Maybe if you post where you are located, someone local may offer to help

Good luck

Mark

thanks Mark. That's the kind of answer I was looking for. Will get into it when i get home.
I'm in Byron Bay, Australia.
Happy Riding evryone.

So, which was the problem? It´s happening the same to me. I charge the battery and when I ride the bike after 20miles or so it just won´t e-start nomore. Mine is a 1990 XT600E......

XT600 not charging
my XT600 was exactly the same.
here is a test that will tell if it is the regulator/rectifier that is knackered.

Start the bike and select Dip beam, park about 5 feet from a wall ( this is best done at night actually) and let the bike tick over.... then blip the throttle...no need to rev the nuts off it, just blip it to about 3,000 rpm... if the lights get BRIGHTER, it is charging, the Regulator is OK, the Rectifier id OK. If the lights get DIMMER, your reg/rect is Knackered and I would look on German ebay for one, 2 year guarantee, link here.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Regler-Yamaha-TT6...QQcmdZViewItem

Regards

Martyn

mine also wont charge and the wires get very hot coming from stator

In the last two weeks, trying to get to grips with fixing our own bikes - we have learnt, time and time and again that you can have every manual, every 'fault finding' list and every CD on planet earth - but all of it will be PRETTY DAMN USELESS without guys like Mark (and our very own Bike Whisperer), making sense of it all.

In such simple, frazzled-girly-brain-proof language.

Thank you Mark - EXACTLY what I was looking for!

...

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ok, mine 1vj tenere is getting a flat bat on long trips too. checking the voltage when reving sees it go up to the mid to high 13's, but checking the current coming through the circuit breaker sees about 2a when the manual says it should be around 6a. this means if lights are switched on there is a negative current. also the white wires coming from the stator measure 1.2 ohms between them wen the book says 0.6 ohms (these are for an xt600, is the tenere diferent?). is this enough of a diference? the lights get brighter when the throttle is bliped and the (smaler bulbed) indicators flash quicker too. any help apreciated.

just re-checked my readings and the current and voltage are highest around tickover, but the current is still 2a or less then. cheers.

Just an update i changed out the grounds with new thicker guage wire and now im chargin. get like 13.9 without light on and 12.7 with it on. i took a 150 mile ride at night and had no trouble