Power Commander III USB

[Nauga Mok]

For some reason, when I plug the 'puter into the PC, it sez it's not communicating. Does this mean I need a new PC or is there some way to get the puter & PC to talk to each other? Another problem is every time I disconnect the battery, the PC seems to "forget" what it's doing -- gas mileage drops like a rock. After about 1500 - 2000 miles it seems to come out of it & mileage is back nearly to where it was. Performance stays gone though. I need to do something. When I first got the Ultra, it felt like it had an afterburner that lit at 4,000 rpm & would run an EASY 120. Now, no 'burner & tops out at 95 -- low end is off too. I figured I might get some of the performance back if I reloaded the maps. I don't mind buying gas if she goes like a raped ape, but to be buying gas & no go, SUX! With the upcomming trike conversion, to have the power back would be nice! Should I just give up & take it back to Power Commander & let them mess with it -- they ARE head quartered here. Probably get expensive since it's probably out of warantee, huh?

NM

[Gorilla]

NM I hate to ask this but do you have the programing program on your computer for the PC that you are using? There are now 3 different PC programs that I am aware of. The early serial port program, the USB program and the new PC V program. Also the download has to be for the correct Power Commander type. If I remember correctly the 9 volt battery is only required to communicate (download) the map then once it is accepted you can start the bike and disconnect the battery on a 06 Harley. It sounds like to me that you are trying to download a program that is not for that model PC and it is not being stored when you download. For an 06 Touring and a PC USB III the map number should start with a M807-###. I hope this helps.

[Nauga Mok]

I got the bike used & it already had the PCIII. I did not get the disk or cable. My neighbor has a PCV, so I borrowed his disk, which DOES have the PCIII USB program. When this program didn't work, I went on line & downloaded the PCIII USB from there, with same results. My Zumo uses the same cable connections as the PC does, but I also have a USB cable set that matches up all USB ports. I tried both cables too. It's my understanding the only time the 9V batt is needed is when the PC is off the bike. I left it installed (on the bike), power off, power on, engine running, or not -- nothing has worked so far. Keep getting the "failure to comunicate" error indication. I HAVE to get beyond this point before I need to worry about maps, but yes -- I DO have the right maps. The one I'd like to reload is the one for '06 FLHT, true duals, thundercone slip ons, SEAC, Stage II engine -- 95" with 255 cams -- I think that's right -- anyhow it matched the way my engine is set up. I know she flat screams when it's right! Hmmmm -- did I pick up on that I need to use the 9V batt whenever I disconnect the 12V batt??

NM

[Mr.Wizard]

Prior to the 08 touring bikes, the PCIII needs the 9v battery for power to read, change or load a map unless the bike is running. Never load a map when the bike is running.

A PCIII will power up for the first few seconds when the fuel pump is running before starting the bike but once the fuel pump stops the PCIII stops. The start button must be hit to start the PCIII again. This is why you don't wait on the engine light to go out before starting a bike with a PCIII prior to the 08 touring bikes.

So, if the PCIII LED bar is not lit, it's not getting power. No power to the PCIII, you can't read it on your computer and the PCIII program will not give you the PCIII serial number on the right hand top of the program above the throttle %'s.

Of course you may be running Vista or Win 7 that is not communicating to the PCIII software properly.

[Nauga Mok]

OK, that makes sense. Now, to find the 9V pig tail, huh? Will check on line to see if they're available. Both of my 'puters are non vista & prior to 7, so that's good. Didn't know about the sstart prociedure either. Is it common that on decel, it seems like after a set interval, the fuel shuts off completely. Any throttle input it fires back up or when it hits idle rpm it relights. I've been told this is normal with a PC -- by people who don't like PCs. Thanks fo rthe info!

NM

[Mr.Wizard]

OK, that makes sense. Now, to find the 9V pig tail, huh? Will check on line to see if they're available. Both of my 'puters are non vista & prior to 7, so that's good. Didn't know about the sstart prociedure either. Is it common that on decel, it seems like after a set interval, the fuel shuts off completely. Any throttle input it fires back up or when it hits idle rpm it relights. I've been told this is normal with a PC -- by people who don't like PCs. Thanks fo rthe info!

NM

There is a separate program that is used for activating and de-activating the "Accelerator Pump" mode. Sounds like your pump is active (you can tell once you can read the PCIII) and may be set too high. Sort of like this... roll off throttle, bike calms down, slight roll on throttle and the bike acts like it was hit from behind but doesn't maintain it's pull for very long and flattens out.

The PCIII has no active control for shutting off fuel to the bike. It's values simply increase or decrease the air fuel mixture (ARF) at certain RPM's and Throttle positions.

If your bike feels like the fuel is shutting down during decel then the map maybe extremely lean in the throttle position 0 and 1750 RPM's and up. OR, this could be just the opposite, way too rich thus killing your MPG.

[ultraboy]

I've been away from the PC-3 USB for a long time, but the requirement for a 9V started with the 2005's (engine not running) I wrote a couple articles on Harley (Delphi) F.I. and the PC-3 for J&P Cycles a few years back, and those are still on the Tech portion of their website. John Parham sold them to AIM and others as well. While they are somewhat dated now, they still turn the light on for some folks. I always liked the PC-3 for it's ease of use, and very predictable results. I was fortunate enough to be a beta tester for 'rev-extend', 'start fuel' and accel pump, and they do work pretty well. Without a dyno, or at least some quality sniffers, you are pretty much trial and error, once you get to the point you need something more than the canned maps, but good old school plug chops, and re-tune always works.
The Wiz is right-on tho, no green lights, no comm, and no-go at that point. Once you get comm working (I've got several 9V adapters if ya want one) and can get a map downloaded, make sure you get the 0% TP set right, and that the TP output tracks smoothly from 0 to WFO. (No jumping around on the way up) On most of the one's I tuned after the owner gave up, failure to start at 0% TP was a major start point problem.
Like I said, follow the advice of the Wiz and Ted, as my memory just aint what it used to be, LOL.

[Mr.Wizard]

Ted and I know you get really excited about things in your retirement years UB.. we're their for ya and will try our best to keep you from having to type so much....


But.. hey, check in and let us know how that new camper is treat'n ya.

Nauga... UB has forgotten more about PCIII's than most of us ever knew to start with. PC USB is not a bad product so don't let your buds give you grief.

and, there 's something else... you don't have to look up Power Commander to get help. There are several Independent bike shops that can tune that PCIII to your bike. You also have many "Road Warrior" trailers with Dyno machines in your area. A good Dyno operator is hard to find but when you do, it will make all the difference in the world.

[Gorilla]

I also have a spare 9 volt adapter that I will send you if you PM me your address. I would strongly advise getting ahold of UB's articles. They taught me a lot.

[Nauga Mok]

I looked on JP & could only find the article on EFI & the first PC article. Couldn't find the one I need. At first I figured the article was on "page 6" of the list of articles because that page wouldn't load. After doing the search several ways & finally getting all pages to come up & not finding the second article, I finally gave up the search. Has anyone looked at that "final drive ratio chart"?? Who uses a 3 tooth sprocket?? I think the smallest sprocket I've ever seen had 6 teeth. Anyhow, it definitely doesn't cover Harleys! I DID find a wiring diagram for Son's '67 Iron Head, so it wasn't a wasted effort, but I didn't learn much about PCs.

NM

[ultraboy]

Don't know why it's not there. I can post the text of it here, but not the screen shots of the control center software, as I (apparently) never saved them. As I sold those articles to John Parham, I believe I've gotta get his permission to post them here, but not sure about that. They were on my (pretty much defunct) website, so I'll dig around.

UB

[ultraboy]

OK, all of the articles are on my website in .PDF format. There's even a picture of my wife, me, Nana, and Mike on there!

Dave

Enjoy

UB

[Nauga Mok]

Thanks, UB! These articles answer a lot of questions. Since they are in PDF I can print the ones out I need to take out to the bike when I'm trying to figure stuff out. J&amp;P wouldn't allow that. Hey! I'm retired &amp; I guess the brain thinks it is too sometimes 'cuz I'll read something &amp; by the time I get to where I need it part of the info has had a "BAD evaporation rate"! You know, like the beer supply when the kids or buddies comes over for a visit. A few more days &amp; I'll be rid of "the boot" &amp; I can get out &amp; start poking around &amp; checking out why the PC on my bike has "amnesia".<br />
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NM