98 electrical problems, lose trip odo and clock

[SteveF101]

I have a 98 that might be starting to develop electrical problems and was wondering what you all thought if might be. The problem is that I’m losing clock and trip odometer settings when I leave it sitting more than a day. Very frustrating since I depend on the odometer for my gas gauge, I just don't trust the fuel gauge. Another possible related symptom is the illumination lights on dash kind of throb dim/bright like the turn signals are on (they aren’t) at idle, at speed they glow like they should. This happens with my Gerbings connected so that really isn’t surprising, but thought I would mention it in case it might be relevant.

I’ve checked the battery and charging system and they seem to be ok, but it is on the low side on charging, just as tad over 15.3. My battery monitor light does show good, at idle. The battery terminals and connectors have been scrubbed clean, treated with anti-oxcidizer and tightened. I just finished some rather extensive work and had to remove the front fairing, is there a possible ground that I could have missed?

I’m thinking that the charging system might be on the way out and need replacing and was wondering if there is a consensus on what the best replacement for the r/r would be if that needs replaced.

Any thoughts, hunches, WAGs, and especially troubleshooting tips would be GREATLY appreciated!

[vwklick]

I have the same issue on my 99. I've looked around a bit and a lot of guys are saying battery and R/R. My battery is kind of new but when i took it to a shop they said it was dead from sitting and they needed to charge it. eh, I'm thinking of just replacing the R/R here soon and maybe having the battery tested, or even replaced. A new battery ain't cheap though, yuasa i believe is the new one i got. :( and i dont wana by a new one. Let me know if you here anything about this.

[rccaulfield]

Sounds like the batteries either losing its ability to hold a charge or the reg/rec is beginning to go and not topping up the system enough! What id do is see how much voltage is in the battery after a ride, then check it a day or so later. If its dropped significantly then you've a bad battery!

[Bubba Zanetti]

Could be your RR working intermittently. They are known to do that.

Take it for a ride and get it warm then run your multimeter on the battery with the bike running and rev and hold at 5,000 rpms and see what you get.

BZ

[dizzy]

15.3 VDC is too high a charge rate if that info is correct. Check your R/R connector for heat damage, make sure the solid green wires are a good ground. If the problem showed after the 'extensive' work was done, go back and double check the connectors you unplugged, make sure your gauge couplers are pushed in all the way.

[Maggot]

Go to Yuasa Batteries, Inc. Click on literature and go to "Yuasa Technical Manual". This will tell you everything you need to know about batteries. I found it so helpfull I downloaded and printed it. Great resource.

[plasma]

Go to Yuasa Batteries, Inc. Click on literature and go to "Yuasa Technical Manual". This will tell you everything you need to know about batteries. I found it so helpfull I downloaded and printed it. Great resource.

Thank you Maggot good post.

Plasma.

[reg71]

That sounds just like what mine was doing but my battery was over 3 yrs old so I went ahead and replaced it. My bike already has the updated R/R...