Harley Stator Symptoms and How to Test a Harley Stator

The stator makes AC power and the regulator turns it into DC to charge the battery. When either fails, the battery goes flat.

Harley stator symptoms

• Battery keeps going flat even when new
• Lights dim at idle
• Charging voltage below about 13 V with the engine revved

Bad voltage regulator symptoms on a Harley

• Charging voltage above about 15 V
• Battery swelling or boiling
• Burnt or melted regulator connector

How to test a Harley stator

1. Unplug the stator connector from the regulator.
2. With the engine off, measure resistance between the stator legs. It should be very low and equal between legs.
3. Check there is no continuity from any leg to ground.
4. Start the engine and measure AC volts between legs. Compare with the figure per 1,000 rpm in your service manual.