Power Commander

just call me Mr. Hibbs · 12-08-2009, 12:02 AM

I plan to do the Caddman mod in the spring using Spectre covers and K&N air filters. I have a used PC III plug and play for the 1600 Nomad that should be received soon. I was talking to the local Kawasaki dealer and also their parts person and both warned me against using it. They claim they have had several instances where the ECU was blown on bikes running the Power Commander. It seems that the TFI is the preferred choice but I know some of the members are running the Power Commander. Should I be concerned about installing it??

Thanks for your advice. :)

strobe · 12-08-2009, 01:11 AM

Mine was on for 3 years, other than it losing it program once it never caused any issues at all. I bought a TFI as well and had the it on mine as well and preferred the PCIII and went back very quickly.

cactusjack · 12-08-2009, 09:23 AM

I've never heard of a PCIII, Cobra Fi2000R, or a Dobeck TFI frying anyone's ECU before. Not saying it didn't happen, but I don't think it's a big problem. My dealer asked me how many cylinders my 1600 Nomad has, so take what they tell you with a grain of salt.

**ringadingh** · 12-08-2009, 09:42 AM

My bike has had a power Commander on it almost since it was new, I have 65,000 miles on it now and climbing and my ECU is still working like always. I think that my PC has lost its map since the bike seems to be running a little rich the last while. I wouldn't worry about harming the bike, I doubt that the PC would have any effect on it.

**Jared** · 12-08-2009, 12:18 PM

There are thousands of bikes running PC3s. If there was a common problem it would be known about, especially on forums.

macmac · 12-08-2009, 06:29 PM

I have never heard of a fried ecu either. I feel that unless you are a computer geek that the PC III is overly techie.. You need a lap top and the maps stored... Not my idea of fun, but it might be for you.

So I run the TFI... Others like the Cobra unit which is similar.

What ever you do, don't hooked up with the V&H fuel mod.. It has 33 of 35 settings you must set, and there is no on line tech referances for it. When a problem comes you have to phone the V&H techs..

just call me Mr. Hibbs · 12-08-2009, 08:10 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments.

**Cajunrider** · 12-08-2009, 09:11 PM

I am running the TFI with stock air intake and debaffled. Couldn't be happier with the improvements it made. Engine runs much cooler and no more stumbling shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. No more pinging. Mine was one of the more pronounced pingers.

rewindgy · 12-09-2009, 08:59 AM

Ima with Macmac on that one. I had the PCIII and I did have problems ( mostly I think Dealer issues & programs). I went with the Cobra - if I could have got one quicker I probably would have went with the TFI. So far I have no complaints with Cobra!

gsanborn · 12-09-2009, 09:44 AM

Dealer recommended only power commander to me. So as stated do not believe what the dealers tell you.

**Cajunrider** · 12-09-2009, 10:30 AM

My dealer wanted to install a PC on mine to stop the pinging while running 93 octane fuel. I asked if it was all going to be covered by warranty and I was told more than likely not. I then installed my TFI on my own.

macmac · 12-09-2009, 10:40 AM

IMO the dealers know far less about these bikes than we do...

cactusjack · 12-09-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George

Dealer recommended only power commander to me. So as stated do not believe what the dealers tell you.

That is probably because the dealer sells Power Commanders.

**peabo2k** · 12-09-2009, 09:28 PM

The dealer who recommended the PCIII to me sales all types of fuel processors.

macmac · 12-11-2009, 06:35 PM

There is one more reason to not go with a PC III, not that it is wrong to do so, BUT this system is a open loop, meaning it gets no feed back info from the exhaust. No Lamba Sond sender means no feed back, so the PC III is spending for functions the ecu isn't going to get back.

The lamda sond sender is that spark plug like thing stuffed in a cars header pipe just before the first cat.. What is does is sniff for 02 and if it finds any it tells the ecu to lean out.

If there isn't this unit on a Nomad and there isn't, then this is just another reason to buy a lesser modual. The Nomad isn'treally up to running a PC III.

With that said if you are into lap tops and like fussing around with the best possible mix, I suppose then buy it.

Me: I get to fix more than enough stuff and when I can ride I just want to ride.

12-08-2009, 12:02 AM	#1
just call me Mr. Hibbs Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 186	Power Commander I plan to do the Caddman mod in the spring using Spectre covers and K&N air filters. I have a used PC III plug and play for the 1600 Nomad that should be received soon. I was talking to the local Kawasaki dealer and also their parts person and both warned me against using it. They claim they have had several instances where the ECU was blown on bikes running the Power Commander. It seems that the TFI is the preferred choice but I know some of the members are running the Power Commander. Should I be concerned about installing it?? Thanks for your advice. :) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-08-2009, 01:11 AM	#2
strobe Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,200	Power Commander Mine was on for 3 years, other than it losing it program once it never caused any issues at all. I bought a TFI as well and had the it on mine as well and preferred the PCIII and went back very quickly. __________________ Cory 2013 Honda GL1800 Goldwing 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 (for sale) 2007 Honda ST1300 (sold) 2005 Kawasaki Nomad (sold) 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa (sold) http://www.strobel.ws VBA #01021 VROC #29389
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12-08-2009, 09:23 AM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Power Commander I've never heard of a PCIII, Cobra Fi2000R, or a Dobeck TFI frying anyone's ECU before. Not saying it didn't happen, but I don't think it's a big problem. My dealer asked me how many cylinders my 1600 Nomad has, so take what they tell you with a grain of salt. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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12-08-2009, 09:42 AM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Power Commander My bike has had a power Commander on it almost since it was new, I have 65,000 miles on it now and climbing and my ECU is still working like always. I think that my PC has lost its map since the bike seems to be running a little rich the last while. I wouldn't worry about harming the bike, I doubt that the PC would have any effect on it. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-08-2009, 12:18 PM	#5
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Power Commander There are thousands of bikes running PC3s. If there was a common problem it would be known about, especially on forums. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-08-2009, 06:29 PM	#6
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Power Commander I have never heard of a fried ecu either. I feel that unless you are a computer geek that the PC III is overly techie.. You need a lap top and the maps stored... Not my idea of fun, but it might be for you. So I run the TFI... Others like the Cobra unit which is similar. What ever you do, don't hooked up with the V&H fuel mod.. It has 33 of 35 settings you must set, and there is no on line tech referances for it. When a problem comes you have to phone the V&H techs.. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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12-08-2009, 08:10 PM	#7
just call me Mr. Hibbs Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 186	Power Commander Thanks everyone for your comments.
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12-08-2009, 09:11 PM	#8
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Power Commander I am running the TFI with stock air intake and debaffled. Couldn't be happier with the improvements it made. Engine runs much cooler and no more stumbling shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. No more pinging. Mine was one of the more pronounced pingers. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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12-09-2009, 08:59 AM	#9
rewindgy Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 959	Power Commander Ima with Macmac on that one. I had the PCIII and I did have problems ( mostly I think Dealer issues & programs). I went with the Cobra - if I could have got one quicker I probably would have went with the TFI. So far I have no complaints with Cobra!
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12-09-2009, 09:44 AM	#10
gsanborn Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fernandina Beach Florida Posts: 55	Power Commander Dealer recommended only power commander to me. So as stated do not believe what the dealers tell you.
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12-09-2009, 10:30 AM	#11
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Power Commander My dealer wanted to install a PC on mine to stop the pinging while running 93 octane fuel. I asked if it was all going to be covered by warranty and I was told more than likely not. I then installed my TFI on my own. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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12-09-2009, 10:40 AM	#12
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Power Commander IMO the dealers know far less about these bikes than we do... __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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12-09-2009, 09:28 PM	#14
peabo2k Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fort Polk, Louisiana Posts: 520	Power Commander The dealer who recommended the PCIII to me sales all types of fuel processors.
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12-11-2009, 06:35 PM	#15
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Power Commander There is one more reason to not go with a PC III, not that it is wrong to do so, BUT this system is a open loop, meaning it gets no feed back info from the exhaust. No Lamba Sond sender means no feed back, so the PC III is spending for functions the ecu isn't going to get back. The lamda sond sender is that spark plug like thing stuffed in a cars header pipe just before the first cat.. What is does is sniff for 02 and if it finds any it tells the ecu to lean out. If there isn't this unit on a Nomad and there isn't, then this is just another reason to buy a lesser modual. The Nomad isn'treally up to running a PC III. With that said if you are into lap tops and like fussing around with the best possible mix, I suppose then buy it. Me: I get to fix more than enough stuff and when I can ride I just want to ride. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

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