1996 VFR Electrrical Problems

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by PNWBrad, Apr 14, 2020.

  1. PNWBrad

    PNWBrad New Member

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    Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and looking forward to tapping into this knowledge base. I'm sorry if this topic has been beat to death in the past, I did search for similar threads and found some good information, but I had a few more questions.

    I just purchased a 1996 VFR750 and after only about a week of owning it, it lost all electrical and nothing happens when I turn on the key. The weekend before I went on a ride over the mountains through rain and snow and after that, the electrical problems started.

    After getting through the nasty weather, I found a hotel and stopped for the night. The next morning the battery was barely turning over the engine and I had to borrow a jump pack from a guy that worked at the hotel. I thought that was odd, but it was cold and I had a long ways to go to get home so I didn't investigate further. I stopped for gas and it turned over slow again, but it did fire, so I made it home.

    Not thinking too much about it, I put the battery on the charger when I got home. I fired it up to go to work the next day and on my ride to work I noticed the headlight and dash lights flickering, but it was running fine. I was early so I stopped at a friends to say hi and chatted for a few minutes and when I went to start the bike to leave, it was cranking slowly again. It backfired, and after it backfired it lost all power. I was thinking the vibration from the backfire rattled an already loose wire off its terminal.

    After doing some reading on here, I'm guessing the regulator/rectifier was going bad, which probably fried the battery. I'm planning on getting the Roadster Cycle super Mosfet kit. Will it bolt right up? Are the 3' battery cables and 12" staor wires long enough for the VFR?

    Do you guys think this would fix the electrical problem? I figure it's a good starting point. Are these bikes known for having electrical problems after an extended amount of wet riding?

    Unfortunately, I wasn't smart enough to check the running voltage. I just figured it was a weak battery and I was planning on ordering a new one. Sorry for the long post, but I appreciate any guidance on this, I'm terrible with electrical systems. Also, I included a selfie from when I went on that dumb ride through the snow, I shoulda had chains on haha.
    DAF8B172-2E24-442B-9CF2-DE71DD488081.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2020
  2. bk94si

    bk94si Member

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    You really need to do some investigating. It could just be a loose wire, loose battery cable. I would look for that and also put a volt meter on there to see what the voltages do when just sitting, when starting, and then while running.
     
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  3. PNWBrad

    PNWBrad New Member

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    I agree. I'm planning on installing the new R/R just because it's cheap and they're a known problem. While I do that I'll check the connections.
     
  4. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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  5. PNWBrad

    PNWBrad New Member

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    Thanks for the link to "The Drill" thread. I looked on the 3rd & 4th gen board for a sticky about this, but I should have looked on the 5th as well.

    Dumb question, but with the Roaster Cycle Super Mosfet Kit come with the correct length wiring? The 3 feet of battery wiring and 12" stator wires? I would measure on my bike but its still at my friends where it died, and I'd like to order this sooner rather than later.
     
  6. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    - I would ask for extra long stator wires, mbe 30 inches.... wiring is cheap, you can always cut to length....... Send an email about it....
    - You will need to figure out mounting on your 4th gen, it not all that difficult, other guys have done it..


    https://vfrworld.com/threads/how-to-fix-common-regulator-stator-failures.39277/
     
  7. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    doesn't make much sense to replace an r/r until you test stator ac output FIRST. as always with charging issues, inspect the red plug on top of the starter solenoid for signs of melting or burning.

    Picture1-12-2020 036.jpg
     
  8. Toddman

    Toddman New Member

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    I would suggest checking all of your electrical connection plugs. My ‘94 had sat outside under a tree for almost ten years. Many of the electrical plugs were rusted. The 3-wire plug coming from the stator was bad and the v/r was getting hot. I did away with the plug and joined the wiring straight through. The v/r doesn’t cook now. A bad connection/plug can cause a lot of resistance heat. I had a 2003 ZX12 Kaw that had so much positive crankcase pressure that it would leech oil up inside of the stator wireS and soak the plug with oil. We figured a way to connect it to vacuum To lessen some of the Crankcase pressure to stop the leeching oil. All bikes have their odd problems. Clean all of your grounding connections too.
     
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