i have 03 zuma and when the headlights are not plugged in it runs great but, when you plug them back in it sputters and at full throttle dies until it idles down any suggestions as to what is wrong with it would be helpful
03 zuma spits and sputters when headlights are
- Thread starter miseradam83
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Alternator not working right or a bad battery
Possibly a generator problem causing loss of ignition voltage, not putting out enough power (likely also causing weak/dead battery)?
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either the stator/magneto or the regulator/rectifier you need a multi meter to test, first check voltage at the battery while running
Starting with the basics, I'd make sure the battery is good. Is it holding a charge?
After that, I'd suspect the voltage regulator. On many motorcycles, simply removing the VR from the ground eliminates the current path, and raises the voltage. As long as a battery is in the system, and the engine is not at very high RPM, it's a valid test to see if the VR is shorting power to ground excessively. Remember, a motorcycle VR shorts excess power to ground anytime there is a surplus of power, such as above idle.
And, of course, the stator. Motorcycle stators are total loss units, meaning they are not regulated, and always make maximum output. This causes the windings to fail more often than on conventional alternators.
After that, I'd suspect the voltage regulator. On many motorcycles, simply removing the VR from the ground eliminates the current path, and raises the voltage. As long as a battery is in the system, and the engine is not at very high RPM, it's a valid test to see if the VR is shorting power to ground excessively. Remember, a motorcycle VR shorts excess power to ground anytime there is a surplus of power, such as above idle.
And, of course, the stator. Motorcycle stators are total loss units, meaning they are not regulated, and always make maximum output. This causes the windings to fail more often than on conventional alternators.
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