How to Check a Four Fin Stator

A stator is a part of a motor's ignition system that works in tandem with the rotor to provide extra power from the spark plugs to the battery. Stators are comprised of small nubby ends, known as fins, that are bound in copper windings. Although stators are all round, the number of fins may vary depending on the size of the motor the stator is mounted on. Like any stator, four fin stators can be checked with a multimeter.

Things You'll Need

  • Multimeter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Access the motor's stator, which is commonly found either on top of or below the flywheel.

    • 2

      Turn on the multimeter and set it to the resistance setting, which is measured in ohms. The meter setting should be set at approximately 200 ohms. The ohms ranges are clearly marked on the meter dial face.

    • 3

      Place both leads onto each of the stator's four fins. The resistance should be between 0.5 and 4 ohms. If the resistance is greater, the stator is bad.

    • 4

      Set the multimeter dial to the continuity test mode. Place the red, or positive, meter lead to a fin and touch the black meter lead to a piece of ground metal like the engine frame. There should be no continuity. Repeat this test on each of the remaining three fins. If there is continuity on any of the four fins, the stator should be replaced.