Can a Bad Regulator-Rectifier Prevent Starting?
From faulty wiring to a dead battery, any number of electrical system problems can create starting problems with a powersports vehicle. But what about a faulty regulator-rectifier?
Partzilla’s powersports pro John Talley hosts live motorcycle and ATV repair Q&A sessions on our YouTube channel every Friday at 3pm Eastern. In this session, John was asked if a bad rectifier can keep a machine from starting.
Bad Regulator-Rectifier Q&A
Will a bad regulator-rectifier keep a machine from starting?
John Talley: Typically no. The regulator-rectifier is in charge of taking an AC voltage that is developed around stator windings and turning it into a DC voltage, and then regulating it between 12 and 14 volts, somewhere around there. So that really doesn’t have anything to do with the starting circuit, except if it’s not working and it’s not charging your battery, well then it’s not going to start anyway, but it won’t keep it from starting.
Watch the video below to learn how to test powersports vehicle regulator-rectifiers.
Watch the video below to learn how to test the regulator-rectifier, stator and battery on an ATV.
Watch the video below to learn how to test powersports vehicle stators.
Want to see more live repair questions answered? See more motorcycle and ATV repair questions answered here.
