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2014 Viper NOT Charging, Input Appreciated

J

Jamie Gelting

Lifetime Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
77
Location
Merton, Wisconsin
Country
USA
Snowmobile
17 Yamaha Sidewinder, 14 Yamaha Viper, 07 Yamaha Phazer FX
Just the Facts
2014 Viper LTX SE 700 Miles ALL Stock Owned it since new
Latest Flash
No Backfire
No starting problems

ALL tests were done as per the Yamaha Service Manual and also compared against my Sidewinder.

Checked Stator output = seems fine and matches my sidewinder for output
Checked Ohm readings = seems fine and matches my sidewinder exactly
Checked battery voltage at battery when running (as the service manual calls for) and it only puts out 12.4-12.7 volts max at any RPM. The sidewinder is consistently in the mid 13's low 14's.
I have not tried the Sidewinder regulator yet as I don't want 2 sleds down incase I can actually go riding somewhere!

So everything points to the voltage regulator a new Yamaha is about $178 Retail and Arctic Cat is $118. I assume its the same.

So my Questions are...?

Is there anything else I should check besides tearing the stator cover off and looking for damage ( I imagine its fine since the voltage and ohms seems fine ) ?

Has anyone ever had a regulator go bad?

I imagine if I buy a new one and that is not the problem I cannot return it?


Has anyone ever replaced it with a Mosfet style regulator? It appears to be a common issue in motorcycles and going to a Mosfet style seems to be better for the same price?

Let me know what you think !

Thanks,
JG
 
Last edited:

Jamie Gelting said:
Just the Facts
2014 Viper LTX SE 700 Miles ALL Stock Owned it since new
Latest Flash
No Backfire
No starting problems

ALL tests were done as per the Yamaha Service Manual and also compared against my Sidewinder.

Checked Stator output = seems fine and matches my sidewinder for output
Checked Ohm readings = seems fine and matches my sidewinder exactly
Checked battery voltage at battery when running (as the service manual calls for) and it only puts out 12.4-12.7 volts max at any RPM. The sidewinder is consistently in the mid 13's low 14's.
I have not tried the Sidewinder regulator yet as I don't want 2 sleds down incase I can actually go riding somewhere!

So everything points to the voltage regulator a new Yamaha is about $178 Retail and Arctic Cat is $118. I assume its the same.

So my Questions are...?

Is there anything else I should check besides tearing the stator cover off and looking for damage ( I imagine its fine since the voltage and ohms seems fine ) ?

Has anyone ever had a regulator go bad?

I imagine if I buy a new one and that is not the problem I cannot return it?


Has anyone ever replaced it with a Mosfet style regulator? It appears to be a common issue in motorcycles and going to a Mosfet style seems to be better for the same price?

Let me know what you think !

Thanks,
JG
Click to expand...
Is MOSFET just the name brand? Interesting. Been thinking about this. Try swapping batteries.
 
Did the swap. Same thing about 12.3-12.42 volts. Turn on the hand warmers and it drops to low 12's.
 
Last edited:
Bad regulator isn’t unheard of. Mine ended up being a damaged stator from left over starter gear teeth from a previous poor repair job. The factory regulator looks identical to aftermarket ones I’ve seen for 50-60$, probably the same manufacturer. My stator tested bad to ground.
 
blueironranger said:
Bad regulator isn’t unheard of. Mine ended up being a damaged stator from left over starter gear teeth from a previous poor repair job. The factory regulator looks identical to aftermarket ones I’ve seen for 50-60$, probably the same manufacturer. My stator tested bad to ground.
Click to expand...

Would the service manual test of the 3 wires show the bad ground? I checked the voltage with all combinations and the ohm readings. I would think those tests would confirm a bad ground or piece of something in there?
Thanks for the replies,
Jamie
 
Find a good solid chassis ground and check for resistance between each white wire and ground. Should be “open” or “infinite”, any resistance or O.O ohm is a short to ground which is a sign of a burnt or damaged winding. As for voltage, were all 3 readings close in voltage between the white wires while running? If one was noticeably lower than the other two it could point to stator issue, even if all 3 are in the listed range.
 
A
blueironranger said:
Find a good solid chassis ground and check for resistance between each white wire and ground. Should be “open” or “infinite”, any resistance or O.O ohm is a short to ground which is a sign of a burnt or damaged winding. As for voltage, were all 3 readings close in voltage between the white wires while running? If one was noticeably lower than the other two it could point to stator issue, even if all 3 are in the listed range.
Click to expand...

All voltages were good between the 3 and similar. I will check the ohm to ground readings tonight and post the findings.

Thanks !
JG
 
So I tested all 3 wires for continuity and none are grounded out. So I guess the only thing left is the regulator.
Thanks to all for the input, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious or hidden.

JG
 
Before we all worry about this we should determine if we have one already. According to the great article MikeP provided we look for the FH-

A MOSFET R/R has a marking with FH-*** on it... The numbers tell the specific output and such... and an older thyristor based R/R is marked SH-*** same here, numbers tell the output... SH stands for shunt, and FH for "FET based shunt"... Ie MOSFET...
 
cannondale27 said:
Before we all worry about this we should determine if we have one already. According to the great article MikeP provided we look for the FH-

A MOSFET R/R has a marking with FH-*** on it... The numbers tell the specific output and such... and an older thyristor based R/R is marked SH-*** same here, numbers tell the output... SH stands for shunt, and FH for "FET based shunt"... Ie MOSFET...
Click to expand...

I will pull mine today , I thinks ours are already a Mosfet style. I certainly don't want to cause another worry or upgrade thread, I just want to know if I am missing something or some test before I buy one as this seems like an odd problem of a regulator going out.

JG
 
Jamie Gelting said:
I will pull mine today , I thinks ours are already a Mosfet style. I certainly don't want to cause another worry or upgrade thread, I just want to know if I am missing something or some test before I buy one as this seems like an odd problem of a regulator going out.

JG
Click to expand...
This is a awesome thread I am glad you posted it! Learning alot myself. Will make this a sticky for sure. Even though regulator failure is rare it happens. The rarity makes it tougher to diagnose.
 
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