Honda VT1100 - Rectifier/Regulator or Stator?

Question

I have a 1996 Honda Shadow VT1100, and it won't start. A couple of months ago, I was riding along and the bike just died. It appeared as if the battery was dead, as it would barely try to turn over. My mechanic replaced the connector between the rectifier/regulator and the stator, and he said that might work for a while, but one of the two (or possibly both) might end up needing to be replaced. Well, I went out to start it the other day, and it wouldn't start again. I even had a trickle charger plugged into it all night. All I get is a clicking sound from below. I'd like to do the repair myself, as I'm fairly mechanically and electrically inclined, but I don't know how to troubleshoot whether it's the stator or the rectifier/regulator. I don't want to throw a bunch of money away replacing both if I could just replace one of the two parts. Thanks.

Answer 1

This link contains a fault finding diagram that I used when the rectifier died on my '83 suzuki.

All you need is a basic multimeter.

http://www.electrosport.com/Images/fault_finding.pdf

Good luck.

Answer 2

If you had the thing on a trickle charger all night and it still won't crank I'd say your battery is done for. Your not even into the charging system (reg, rectfier, etc) at that point. An engine should turn over with just a battery connected to the starter. It wont run or charge the battery but it should crank. Have the battery tested or if it's more then 3 yrs old just replace the thing.

Answer 3

first check the battery if its holding a charge. then check all the wiring and grounds.. you cant repair the rectifier/regulater,( they usualy dont get many problems) you have to replace it, and its not cheap. you can use a multimeter to check the wiring in and around the stator to see if you got a open or short circuit. ( isolate the stator before you check the continuity) if your not good with electronics, take it back to your mechanic. if you charged the battery all night, and it still wont start, its the battery or your bikes electrical system.. have fun diagnoseig the problem.

Answer 4

Honda Vt1100

Answer 5

The battery probably needs to be replaced. Remove the battery from the bike and check it. Leaving a battery on any type of charger (trickle or whatever) for an extended period of time, can cause the battery to dry out, burn and become useless. The fluid level of a battery on charge, has to replenished (fill with water).

Answer 6

A Clymer manual will show you tests you can do with a multimeter without taking your engine apart. You should get the Clymer manual.

My multimeter cost about $25.

Answer 7

ck the load on the battery. A fully charge battery doesn't mean it can still have enough cranking power. I would start with battery first then backward to charging system

Answer 8

You can put a voltmeter at the stater and see if it's putting out 13.5 to 14.5 volts when running, if the stater is good the rectifier is between the stater and battery, ck voltage at the battery when running, if it is 12 volts or less, rectifier is bad, if you still have 13.5 volts at the battery, battery won't hold a charge.

Answer 9

Purchase a shop manual for $30
It will tell you what to check and how to check it.
A small priced investment, that will pay for itself.
In time wasted troubleshooting and cost savings of buying unnecessary parts.
http://www.motocom.com/motorcycles/

Answer 10

not sure f the manual for the 1100 is on this site .. but the 1000 should be close.. ( wiring diagram wise)
free download..
http://hondatech.info/downloads/Moto/
there is a honda Generic manual on the second link that may help to..
http://www.dansmc.com/shopmanual2.htm

you may find help trouble shooting it here...

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm