battery light

[sundownrider]

I'm going down the highway on my 99 rt and the battery light comes on. The bike is still running, so I forge ahead in the hopes that it will keep running on the altenator if thebattery is going south and not stop since the battery will not restart it. About an hour later, sputters and the bike dies. After about half an hour, it restarts, the battery light is still on, but I manage to coast to a motel when it stops again after half a mile. I take the fairing off, tighten the battery cables, I show over 12 volts on a meter I have with me. I think this tells me the alt is still good and the battery is still good. Why is the battery light still on and it won't run?

 

[roostershooter]

I'm going down the highway on my 99 rt and the battery light comes on. The bike is still running, so I forge ahead in the hopes that it will keep running on the altenator if thebattery is going south and not stop since the battery will not restart it. About an hour later, sputters and the bike dies. After about half an hour, it restarts, the battery light is still on, but I manage to coast to a motel when it stops again after half a mile. I take the fairing off, tighten the battery cables, I show over 12 volts on a meter I have with me. I think this tells me the alt is still good and the battery is still good. Why is the battery light still on and it won't run?

The following is only what I have observed over the years. The bike's electric system runs off the battery. The alternator keeps the battery charged, providing juice to keep the electrical system going. It sounds like the battery has perhaps suffered a condition known as sulfation. This is essentially a condition where the battery plates are virtually fused together and basically have shorted out. Batteries act very strange when they are in their last days of life. I have seen some that go immediately and some linger for while. As far as showing 12 volts, that is not uncommon for a bad battery to show 12 volts on a volt meter, when in fact, the battery is toast. My guess would be to replace the battery. I think that will solve the problem.

 

[manicmechanic]

Alternator drive belt? Sounds like the alternator wasn't functioning, causing the bike to run from the battery only. When that ran down, the bike quit. After a period of time the battery recovers a bit, but not for long.

 

[jdiaz]

Randy is right on. The alternator belt has broken.

 

[bmwmick]

+1
Remove the front cover and check it. A replacement can be found at most any good auto store. Dayco 5040240 is just one common replacement.

 

[roostershooter]

what is the outcome

So Scat, have you found the problem yet?

 

[sundownrider]

fixed

Sorry late getting back. It was the alt belt. Motoplex next door to my breakdown was no help since they do not have "tech manuals" to take off the cover. Got the bike hauled to Bloodworth in Nashville and can only say great things. Tues morn and I was on my way in an hour. Naples and back to St Louis with no more problems. Thanks for your input.

 

[deilenberger]

Just a FWIW - the "battery" light - is really an alternator light. If it comes on - the alternator has ceased working, gone dead, kaput.. you'rer running on battery power once the light comes on.