Can a bad battery kill a stator?
It is possible, especially if the battery has been boiled dry (the plates WILL warp and short). Even a non shorted bad battery (one that draws too much charging current) can fail a stator, especially an old one.
Can the starter kill the battery?
The starter will draw a charge from the battery. The vehicle may still start; however, it will continue to draw too much power and will drain the battery.
Will a stator charge a dead battery?
If the stator is working you should get 14 to 14.4 volts from your battery while running. If not, bad stator. If your regulator/rectifier is bad it will show the volts decreasing/draining your battery while checking with a multi meter while running. After charging your battery it should show 12.7 to 13.2 volts.
What should I do if I get a reading on my stator?
Set your multimeter to Ohms. Put the negative lead on the engine’s ground and the positive lead on each wires of the stator’s connector one by one. You shouldn’t get a reading at all. If you get a reading, even very small, on any wire, the stator is defective and must be changed. Put your multimeter to AC Volts and start you vehicle.
What kind of multimeter do I need to test a stator?
You will need a multimeter set to Ohms for this test. Test every lead of the stator’s connector and note the readings. The reading of each combination should be the same (test leads 1-2, 2-3, and 3-1). If they are different, your stator is defective. Set your multimeter to Ohms.
How long does it take to test a stator on a riding mower?
In mowers that run a 12-volt electrical system, for example, the stator must generate more than 12 volts to keep the mower running. If you have a voltmeter and know how to use it, this job will be a snap. Testing the stator should take about 20 minutes to complete.
When do you know if your stator is defective?
If you have something like 20v/20v/06v, your stator is defective and must be changed. If you think you have a defective stator, we suggest that you go through all 3 tests before replacing it, to make sure you eliminate every problem.