problem starting/idling when wet
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Central Maine
IF it has a Power Commander I bet that is your problem. Water gets in that connection which is totally exposed to rain and it won't run right until you take it apart, dry it out, grease it and put it back together and even then you are taking chances. This is exactly why I got rid of my PC and spent the big money and got a SERT and a dyno tune. I was so sick of the trouble and worry that thing caused me. The SERT is great, it leaves the wiring harness connector in it's stock location instead if under the seat behind the rear cylinder where rain and wash water can get in it.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From:
I had the same issue with mine practically dismantled my bike. Turns out the shorting cap for the front O2 eliminator was collecting water when I pulled it apart it was full. So I dried it out cleaned the seal re-greased it and put it back together have had no problems since.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, GA
It's the Power Commander connections, these guys are telling you right.
Dielectric grease is the cure. One of the members even went so far to put a ziplok baggie around his PC connections as a little extra insurance.
Dielectric grease is the cure. One of the members even went so far to put a ziplok baggie around his PC connections as a little extra insurance.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: western Montana
I've had that problem on my 02 Dyna,I find when washing,if i don't get carried away around the sparkplugs I don't have that problem.I once had it happen when I was riding through snow mixed with rain,the bike was sputtering so bad I thought I was going to have to haul it home.I think water gets close enough to the terminal on the plug wires to short the spark.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 5
CRZYLGZZ's suggestion is spot on.
One thing though, is that the WD-40 will dissolve the dielectric grease, works great to clean the connections and all, but I would wipe it off and blow out the fuse block and then use the dielectric grease on all the relays, fuses, the caps on the O2 sensors and the ecm/pcIII connector that is exposed.
You also should only rinse the bike off with low pressure and try not to direct it at the exposed connectors.
I had a similar issue as many have had where the fuse block cover will get moisture/water in behind it and then the fuses/relays get damp, do not dry out and corrode, so even if you live in a dry climate and are careful when you wash it you still should clean all the connections an grease it up. I also pull the cover off and wipe the electrical connection off after washing it.
CB
One thing though, is that the WD-40 will dissolve the dielectric grease, works great to clean the connections and all, but I would wipe it off and blow out the fuse block and then use the dielectric grease on all the relays, fuses, the caps on the O2 sensors and the ecm/pcIII connector that is exposed.
You also should only rinse the bike off with low pressure and try not to direct it at the exposed connectors.
I had a similar issue as many have had where the fuse block cover will get moisture/water in behind it and then the fuses/relays get damp, do not dry out and corrode, so even if you live in a dry climate and are careful when you wash it you still should clean all the connections an grease it up. I also pull the cover off and wipe the electrical connection off after washing it.
CB
Last edited by NoLongerAmember; May 23, 2010 at 02:58 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
with the dielectric grease - do you put it right on the connectors? don't they need to mate directly? I read that the grease just goes around the seals rather than on the connectors directly..... true or false anyone?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Central Maine
I spray off the connectors with electrical contact cleaner from Napa and then put the di-electric grease right on the pins and over the holes the pins go in, not the seals.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
all you need is a dab,, when you the connectors join, the grease forms a seal that acts as a buffer from the elements .
CRZYLGZZ's suggestion is spot on.
One thing though, is that the WD-40 will dissolve the dielectric grease, works great to clean the connections and all, but I would wipe it off and blow out the fuse block and then use the dielectric grease on all the relays, fuses, the caps on the O2 sensors and the ecm/pcIII connector that is exposed.
You also should only rinse the bike off with low pressure and try not to direct it at the exposed connectors.
I had a similar issue as many have had where the fuse block cover will get moisture/water in behind it and then the fuses/relays get damp, do not dry out and corrode, so even if you live in a dry climate and are careful when you wash it you still should clean all the connections an grease it up. I also pull the cover off and wipe the electrical connection off after washing it.
CB
One thing though, is that the WD-40 will dissolve the dielectric grease, works great to clean the connections and all, but I would wipe it off and blow out the fuse block and then use the dielectric grease on all the relays, fuses, the caps on the O2 sensors and the ecm/pcIII connector that is exposed.
You also should only rinse the bike off with low pressure and try not to direct it at the exposed connectors.
I had a similar issue as many have had where the fuse block cover will get moisture/water in behind it and then the fuses/relays get damp, do not dry out and corrode, so even if you live in a dry climate and are careful when you wash it you still should clean all the connections an grease it up. I also pull the cover off and wipe the electrical connection off after washing it.
CB
Old Navy habits.
im scarred with the blasted 3M maintenance intervals on those ridiculous PM cards they used to make us carry around. I wonder if they still do those cards.