Stator Testing

Here you will be introduces to some general information about the ways of testing a boat and motorbike stator by yourself or by using a special stator testing machine. In case you are not sure about your "handyman" abilities you should go to a professional mechanic.

First we will explain the boat's stator testing. If your outboard motor does not want to start you should know that when it comes to gasoline engines, the usual problems are produced by the electrical or the electronic system. Before you decide to test the stator, you should first check if the battery is dead, if there are any cut or broken wires, and sparking plugs. After you have eliminated all these possibilities, you can start testing the stator.

It can be found on top of the block where the condensers and points are located. Most types of other tests need very costly equipment which is for sale only at the dealership. This test requires only a cheap multimeter that can be found at every hardware store. The full list of equipment for the testing includes: a wrench, motor operators' guide and a multimeter.

For the first part of the testing you just have to disconnect the battery cables from the battery. Then, you must tighten the stator plate. It shouldn't be loose. It this part you will need the wrench. In the 3rd step you have to look up the range of resistance that your stator requires. It can be found in the operator's guide. Afterwards, switch the selector on the multimeter on "Ohms". Ohm is usually marked with the Greek "omega" which looks like an upside-down U. The last step is a bit longer and more difficult. First, place one of the multimeter's probes against one of the connections of one of the blue stator wires, and then place the other multimeter probe against the existing connection. Look at the number of ohms on the multimeter and compare it to the range shown on the operator's guide. If the resistance is the same as the one in the operator's guide, then there is no problem with the stator. But if there is bigger resistance (infinite resistance) then you must replace the stator.

When it comes to motorbikes, there are 2 kinds of stator testing. The first one is a stator testing with a diode. First, you have to disconnect both the black and blue wires from the ignition coil and kill switch. Then, connect the first test charge to ground and the second one to the blue wire. Interchange both of the test charges and look at the results. If there isn't an infinite resistance in neither of the charges, then the diode is flawed. If there is infinity but one of the charges shows more than 10000 ohms, then the stator is defected.

Now, about the stator without a diode. Again, you must disconnect the wires from the ignition coil and kill switch. Take a measure between ground and blue wire. If the coil is OK, there must be a charge between 140 and 200 ohms. Next, you must check the measure between the black and blue wire. It must show from 16 to 24 ohms. If it is less, you have a short in the coil.

If you don't want to do these operations by yourself, there are special machine systems which can test the stator without any interference from your side.