Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

PCIII went bad 08 FXSTC!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 29, 2008 | 11:37 PM
  #1  
starbiker99's Avatar
starbiker99
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Parker CO
Default PCIII went bad 08 FXSTC!

On my way home from work today my bike died at a stoplight. The traffic was stop and go but the temp was only near 80 its has been a lot hotter. The bike did however start back up and I was able to make it home (about 9 miles). I let the bike sit for an hour and then it would not start at all. I disconnected the PCIII and the bike runs fine. I got a guy from dynojet on the line and he determined the PCIII was def so my question is should I go get a download from HD for any riding before I get the PCIII back? Maybe 200-400 miles this weekend and next week. My only mods are a Ness big sucker and VH BSS. BTW the PCIII has 4k miles on it. My thoughts are to get the download just in case I am out on the road and this happens again that way I don't need to worry about burning the bike up. Any other thoughts or ideas? Thanks
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 06:48 AM
  #2  
aviscomi's Avatar
aviscomi
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 464
From: Philadelphia
Default

I don't think that its a matter of "gettting a download from HD"; if I'm not mistaken you'll need a SERT (Screaming Eagle Race Tuner) in order for HD to map the ECM. They sell for about $400. You've already isolated the problem by disconnecting the PCIII; thus imo I would just run the bike until you get a replacement. Keep an eye on your engine temp though. Also, you could put your stock intake back on just to be safe.
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 07:07 AM
  #3  
jimmers1817's Avatar
jimmers1817
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Default

Been a rash of pcIII failures posted lately.
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 10:10 AM
  #4  
Sarge4life's Avatar
Sarge4life
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: currently NC
Default

If you have the dealership do a "download" it will cost you. Then before you can reinstall your PCIII you'll have to take it back to the dealership to have them remove the "download" and return it to stock. The PCIII will only work correctly if your ECM is in the OEM state.
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 11:08 AM
  #5  
starbiker99's Avatar
starbiker99
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Parker CO
Default

My dealer was going to charge me $159 for a download and then I thought about the PCIII not working when I got it back. So I just put the stock air cleaner back on as I most likely will only be putting a couple hundred miles on this week.
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 02:06 PM
  #6  
jcoers's Avatar
jcoers
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Ottenheim, KY
Default

I feel your pain. My PCIII died, then the replacement died within 10 miles after the install. I bought some XIEDs and I will never go back. The PCIII is under warranty and as soon as I feel like dealing with them, I will call and get a replacement to sell on e-bay.
 
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 08:38 PM
  #7  
starbiker99's Avatar
starbiker99
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: Parker CO
Default

With the XIED's do you need to still have your O2 sensors installed? I removed mine when I did my PCIII and messed one of them up. I need to read up on them a little more.

Edit: Just read the website and found my own answer.

So you like the XIED better than the PCIII I may just get a new O2 sensor and get the XIED's and sell my replacement PCIII when I get it.
 

Last edited by starbiker99; Aug 30, 2008 at 08:48 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 09:11 PM
  #8  
mjmangus's Avatar
mjmangus
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of So Cal
Default

Originally Posted by Sarge4life
If you have the dealership do a "download" it will cost you. Then before you can reinstall your PCIII you'll have to take it back to the dealership to have them remove the "download" and return it to stock. The PCIII will only work correctly if your ECM is in the OEM state.
Not exactly true. The PCIII doesn't care what has been done to the ECM. You just have to make sure your PCIII is programmed to accomodate the new "burn". This can be downloaded from the factory web site.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 30, 2008 | 10:01 PM
  #9  
FXSTI Guy's Avatar
FXSTI Guy
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
Default

Exactly...the PCIII intercepts the signal from the ECM (regardless of what type of signal it is) and modifies it according to the map the PCIII has downloaded on it.
Originally Posted by mjmangus
Not exactly true. The PCIII doesn't care what has been done to the ECM. You just have to make sure your PCIII is programmed to accomodate the new "burn". This can be downloaded from the factory web site.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 08:50 AM
  #10  
Tnicean's Avatar
Tnicean
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Default

My PCIII had about 20K miles and was a little over 2 years old when it malfunctioned in Cooke City, MT. It had been starting and running rich for a couple of days before but a couple of weeks ago in Cooke City, it was cold and the bike barely started and started blowing black smoke and idling very roughly. I barely make it over the Bear Tooth Highway. When I got to Billings, MT, I went to Beartooth HD and they took off the PC III and did the reflash on the ECM. I have the Ness Big Sucker and V&H BSS on my 2002 Heritage. I just got home from Milwaukee with more than 7K miles About 3 of which was with the re-flashed EMC. The bike seemed to run ok and the motor ran cool with the reflash (except for going into Miller Field for the 25th Hog party). We were in stop and go traffic for I would guess about 40 - 45 minutes. My motor went into the running on one cylinder mode. My tank oil temp guage read 275 degrees when I finally got parked. I am sure the motor was hotter than that. Anyway, I am probably just going to run my bike with just the reflash for now. I have no warranty on the PCIII since it was more than two years old. I guess anything can break, but it sure ruined my ride up the Beartooth.
Tnicean
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:28 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE