Do stators burn up?

[humanshield]

I think I may have damaged/ruined the stator in my 2003 Max II's 16Hp Vangaurd. I was using the winch ALOT plowing snow and it suddenly stopped charging. Now I have to charge the battery before plowing (At least I can still plow). So what kind of damage am I looking at here? I am unfortunately close to clueless on these small engines. If it were an alternator I could at least point at it .

I guess my question is How hard is it going to be to get too? How expensive? And is it likely the stator that is the issue?

I would greatly appreciate any input on this I really need this thing we are at over 3 ft of snow on the ground now and I need to keep ahead of it.

[MaxRules]

Briggs stators rarely burn out. It is probably the regulator/rectifier which is the small box mounted on the front of the engine, just under the valve cover and spark plug. The regulator costs about $70. The stator is only about $36 last I checked but they rarely give trouble. The Briggs manual does tell you how to diagnose the parts, but if your fuses and wiring is good, go for the regulator. Part #691185 at your Briggs dealer.

[6X6]

CHECK ALL YOUR CONNECTORS. Jimmy's Max IV stopped charging but a disconnect/cleaning/reconnect fixed it. It's maybe a long-shot, but you might have gotten a little too much moisture into a connector. Use electrical contact cleaner in connectors and dielectric grease on re-assembly to prevent further corrosion and water issues. Hope this gets you going, if not you'll need to use a voltmeter to check that the stator is putting out the voltage (AC) that it should.

[humanshield]

More info

Just to clarify. When it stopped charging and the battery was completely dead. I had NO POWER. Meaning there was nothing from the lights/winch/heated throttle, Anything. This mac has been kept pretty clean and there is not a lot of corrosion on the connectors. And I thing I saw the "Rectifier" you mentioned last night. Small box that was bolted onto the engine side facing the front of the max and had a couple wires on it. Sound right? I may just jump on the rectifier and give it a shot. I need this thing working.

Anyone know what's involved with replacing a stator? If it comes to that?

[nate52]

well i know on the kohlers you have to pull the flywheel and it's then located on the inside of the flywheel which u take 3 screws out of it to remove it from the flywheel and then unplug it and then reverse the cycle for reassembly. but if it does come to that, you may only have to clean up the strator which i've done in the past on a few lawn mowers and that has solved the charging problem. on the mowers i've done this too it has work because they had collected alot of dirt on the inside of the flywheel. but dk how dirty a 6wheeler engine would get beings it's kind of protected from this in the tub rather than an older mower where the motor's fairly exposed.

Nate

[humanshield]

SUCCESS! The Power regulator was the issue. Got one at my local mower shop and put it on this afternoon after work. Turned the key and revved the engine. Saw those lights brighten up and so did my eyes . Thanks for all the help guys!! This is why I love this community! I was thinking stator from the beginning and you guys pointed me to the right direction (And an easier fix)

Now the question is. Did I break it? Did running the battery so low and ask too much of it and burn it out? OR was I just lucky?

[CBass]

Great thread to read, wish I had of saw it last Monday. I spent all last week looking for an upgrade at regulator and stator from 16 amp to 20 amp all because I was under the impression that my stator had gave out of me. I tested the stator for voltage when I bypassed the regulator, I got nothing.... So I was sold I needed a new stator. Well I just got back from a ride at Durham town in Union Point, GA, and I had to spray both Max II's down, Well long story short, after a high pressure cleaning I went to load them both back up on the trailer and my Max was charging once again. So I believe dirt was the problem the whole time....

[Dan67]

Great thread to read, wish I had of saw it last Monday. I spent all last week looking for an upgrade at regulator and stator from 16 amp to 20 amp all because I was under the impression that my stator had gave out of me. I tested the stator for voltage when I bypassed the regulator, I got nothing.... So I was sold I needed a new stator. Well I just got back from a ride at Durham town in Union Point, GA, and I had to spray both Max II's down, Well long story short, after a high pressure cleaning I went to load them both back up on the trailer and my Max was charging once again. So I believe dirt was the problem the whole time....

So what did you think about Durham Town? I was planning on taking the kids down there for the day on Memorial Day.

[azz7772]

Great thread to read, wish I had of saw it last Monday. I spent all last week looking for an upgrade at regulator and stator from 16 amp to 20 amp all because I was under the impression that my stator had gave out of me. I tested the stator for voltage when I bypassed the regulator, I got nothing.... So I was sold I needed a new stator. Well I just got back from a ride at Durham town in Union Point, GA, and I had to spray both Max II's down, Well long story short, after a high pressure cleaning I went to load them both back up on the trailer and my Max was charging once again. So I believe dirt was the problem the whole time....

I would still check wires and connections the water pressure could have moved a wire enough to give it a connection again.

[CBass]

Well Dan I was on a ride with my battalion and they mostly had Jeeps which was a treat for me on some of the 4x4 Jeep trails because of the steep hill climbs and then going back down again. I am sure I'll need to check all bearing and axles because of the twisting of my Max II, but I was the only one that didnt get stuck the whole time. I am sure if I had more time and wet on the swamp trail I might of but I had fun. This place is 7000 with about 150miles of trails so pleanty of places to get lost in.I would of enjoyed it more if more 6x6's were there.

Azz, I do plan on checking all connections to be safe, thanks for the advice.

[Dan67]

Well Dan I was on a ride with my battalion and they mostly had Jeeps which was a treat for me on some of the 4x4 Jeep trails because of the steep hill climbs and then going back down again. I am sure I'll need to check all bearing and axles because of the twisting of my Max II, but I was the only one that didnt get stuck the whole time. I am sure if I had more time and wet on the swamp trail I might of but I had fun. This place is 7000 with about 150miles of trails so pleanty of places to get lost in.I would of enjoyed it more if more 6x6's were there.

Thanks, I was wondering because most of the videos I have seen show trails that look like a plain dirt road. I was hoping for better 6x6 and 8x8 friendly terrain.