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Does Power Commander = Junk?

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  #1  
Old 11-08-2011 | 09:00 AM
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HERE
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From: Louisiana
Default Does Power Commander = Junk?

Just as I was starting to get used EFI....maybe carb really is the answer.

Anyone else ever have this issue? I was on the way to work when the bike started running like ***. It would sputter and fall on it's face. I pulled into an auto parts store, checked all my connections, plug wires, etc. I pulled the plugs to have a look and as you can see below they were pretty bad off, the bike was running WAY rich. I swapped in new plugs, rode about a 1/2 mile down the road to the office and ended up having to bike picked up and taken to the shop. At the shop the tech said it threw 10 different codes(I don't know which specific codes) and they eventually traced the problem to the PC. It never got wet, all connections were good, but when they're dyno guy would tune the bike it would run fine but once he'd shut it down and restart the tune would be gone and it would go back to running like crap. So they're currently waiting for a new Power Commander to show up. One thing that concerned me a bit, while talking to a tech while at a bike night(bikeless ) he mentioned that in most cases when the Power Commander is unplugged the bike will restore back the factory tune and that it would still run, rather lean, but would run. Mine apparently wouldn't start at all.

Anyone else have similar problems? My brother had to get a new Power Commander as well after the PC on his Wide Glide would never hold a tune properly and would constantly resort back to running a little rich.



 
  #2  
Old 11-08-2011 | 09:06 AM
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Von_Zipper
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From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
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I did my homework when I upgraded my ECM, I do have strong electronics background and I can tell the whole piggyback idea seems just unreliable to me.
 
  #3  
Old 11-08-2011 | 09:08 AM
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hspring03
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From: Mansfield, MA
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Same Power commander on my bike since 2004. Multiple mods done, multiple dyno tunes and custom maps.

40K miles... Runs strong and no issues with the Power Commander.

As with all electronics. There are some bad ones in a bunch.
 
  #4  
Old 11-08-2011 | 11:00 AM
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HERE
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I'm sure you're right, just getting anxious I suppose. It's been almost 3 weeks so far.
 
  #5  
Old 11-08-2011 | 06:34 PM
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1200Cdriver
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From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
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I have had a PCIII since 2,000 miles and am now at 17,200, I still enjoy the rheostat like throttle response, no hiccup and quit during warm up. My 2007 1200C is stone stock save for the PCIII.
 
  #6  
Old 11-08-2011 | 09:42 PM
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wanabe
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From: manhattan beach
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running with a techlusion tfi. with that fuel management system my bike runs exactly how i want it to run... and now i have it running very hot. it thinks its a jap sports bike! (ever seen a sporty do wheelies?)
 
  #7  
Old 11-08-2011 | 09:53 PM
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DR. V-TWIN
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I've had the same power commander since 2005 on m,y bike. Not one issue.

Drew
 
  #8  
Old 11-08-2011 | 09:58 PM
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golfblues
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PCV's in both of mine. 0 issues.
 
  #9  
Old 11-08-2011 | 10:18 PM
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Wizid
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From: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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Sounds like u just got a bad unit. Let us know how the new one works out.
 
  #10  
Old 11-08-2011 | 10:42 PM
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BrianG
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From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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I have had PC III's on the last 4 bikes. One died and left me at the side of the road until I unplugged it and rode home. The others have been flawless. As mentioned above, there are always a few duds that get through the QC tests.
The good news is that Power Commander is generally great about replacement.
 


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