I recently purchased a 1990 Kawasaki Bayou 220. I replaced the battery and rectifier and the battery is not charging. I only have 5 volts across the headlight circuit. When I remove the rectifier from the circuit, I measure 30 to 40 volt AAC across the stater terminals which indicates that the stater is working. When I first start the Bayou 220, the headlights are bright then go dim.
Also, the start switch on the Handel bar is not working.
Any idea what my problem could be
?
Ellis

 

Check battery power at the rectifier. Best thing for this is a high wattage 12v test lamp. If there is a resistance in the wires from battery to rectifier it is fooled into not charging. Why on earth are you checking voltage across the headlamp circuit? No it shouldn't be 5v. At a guess you have a bad earth which is bringing down voltage at both rectifier and lights, but could be resistance in the main live from battery, through fuse into rectifier and ignition switch.

 

Thanks, did you mean the mainline from the battery?

 

Can't make it more clear than writing main live (positive) wire from battery through fuse to rectifier and ignition switch.

 

I replaced the starter solenoid on my 1990 Bayou 220 on Wednesday and it was running fine. I started it up yesterday to go for a ride, it ran for about three minutes and then it died. It turns over but will not start. I have spark, fresh gas, and the battery is charged.
Any idea why it's not starting?