Power Commander firmware update

Nadmeister · 05-14-2007

Hi everyone,
I installed V&H bagger duals and a power commander on my 04 Nomad and noticed that the firmare is a few versions behind, so I want to upgrade it. It wouldn't let me do it, so I did some digging and found this:

UPDATING PCIII USB FIRMWARE—EARLIER THAN FUEL 1.0.0.20/HARLEY 2.1.1
You must have a programmer (P/N PCPROG) to complete the following steps. This programmer is included in some Ignition Modules or the HDREV kit. If you do not have a programmer, the programmer can be purchased and will allow you to update your PCIII USB and Ignition Module. If you do not want to purchase a programmer and cannot find a Tuning Center to update your PCIII USB, the PCIII USB can be sent to Dynojet to be updated.

I've called around a few shops and no one knows what I'm talking about when I ask them about a pcprog programmer. They say they just take it out of the box, install, send the appropriat map over and that's it. They don't even look at the firmware version. Have any of you seen/used one of those and where can I get hold of one to upgrade my firmware.
The reason I want to upgrade my firmware is that after installing the power commander, when I start the bike cold, it idles high (normal RPM for cold) for a little bit then drops down, then sometimes it will get a little surge in RPM, then back down again and then usually stalls. I start it again and take off, and within a couple of minutes of running, if I come to a stop, the idle is fine. It's like the bike doesn't know how to idle when the engine is cold. Any idea what the problem could be? I'm running the "V&H bagger duals with stock air" map that comes with the software. The other thing I did was "marble" the reed as per Gadget's site. I ran the bike for a week or two with the V&H and marble before putting on the power commander and it ran fine, so I don't think it's the pipes or the marble that's causing the problem. Any help would be great.

zedx11 · 05-14-2007

I believe the pcprog you are talking about is what they program the IC with before it is installed in the device.

something like this:

which is why most shops are not going to know about it.

If you haven't already, I'd reinstall the map to see if that helps any.

Nadmeister · 05-15-2007

I'm not sure if it's the same thing. Here's a picture of the image from the manual. It hooks into the expansion port where the 9v battery usually plugs in, and then you plug the USB cable into the programmer and the 9v battery plugs into a female connector from the programmer. Maybe I'll have to try and find a tuning center.

zedx11 · 05-15-2007

I had not seen that either.

Kawa 900 · 05-16-2007

I'm not a technical person, but I installed the Hard Krome Strippers exhaust on my VN900 and the Power Commander III USB. I took it to the local Kawasaki Dealer and he put it on his Dyno. He adjusted the mapping himself and it is working just fine. I noticed that the bike has a better power delivery and am now checking the fuel consumption.

Easyrider32 · 05-23-2007

Have you checked the firmware version? You can find it by view-->Information.
New PC III USB modules should have version 1.0.0.20 already installed.

Is it worth upgrading to the lastest firmware or shall I go with the old saying "If it aint broke, don't fix it"?

05-14-2007	#1 (permalink)
Nadmeister Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 28	Power Commander firmware update Hi everyone, I installed V&H bagger duals and a power commander on my 04 Nomad and noticed that the firmare is a few versions behind, so I want to upgrade it. It wouldn't let me do it, so I did some digging and found this: UPDATING PCIII USB FIRMWARE—EARLIER THAN FUEL 1.0.0.20/HARLEY 2.1.1 You must have a programmer (P/N PCPROG) to complete the following steps. This programmer is included in some Ignition Modules or the HDREV kit. If you do not have a programmer, the programmer can be purchased and will allow you to update your PCIII USB and Ignition Module. If you do not want to purchase a programmer and cannot find a Tuning Center to update your PCIII USB, the PCIII USB can be sent to Dynojet to be updated. I've called around a few shops and no one knows what I'm talking about when I ask them about a pcprog programmer. They say they just take it out of the box, install, send the appropriat map over and that's it. They don't even look at the firmware version. Have any of you seen/used one of those and where can I get hold of one to upgrade my firmware. The reason I want to upgrade my firmware is that after installing the power commander, when I start the bike cold, it idles high (normal RPM for cold) for a little bit then drops down, then sometimes it will get a little surge in RPM, then back down again and then usually stalls. I start it again and take off, and within a couple of minutes of running, if I come to a stop, the idle is fine. It's like the bike doesn't know how to idle when the engine is cold. Any idea what the problem could be? I'm running the "V&H bagger duals with stock air" map that comes with the software. The other thing I did was "marble" the reed as per Gadget's site. I ran the bike for a week or two with the V&H and marble before putting on the power commander and it ran fine, so I don't think it's the pipes or the marble that's causing the problem. Any help would be great. __________________ 04' Nomad

05-14-2007	#2 (permalink)
zedx11 yellow doesn't corner wel Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KC, KS Posts: 22,207	I believe the pcprog you are talking about is what they program the IC with before it is installed in the device. something like this: which is why most shops are not going to know about it. If you haven't already, I'd reinstall the map to see if that helps any. __________________ Darrell Ignorance is a disease my friend. You should rid yourself of it.

05-15-2007	#3 (permalink)
Nadmeister Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 28	I'm not sure if it's the same thing. Here's a picture of the image from the manual. It hooks into the expansion port where the 9v battery usually plugs in, and then you plug the USB cable into the programmer and the 9v battery plugs into a female connector from the programmer. Maybe I'll have to try and find a tuning center. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 04' Nomad

05-15-2007	#4 (permalink)
zedx11 yellow doesn't corner wel Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KC, KS Posts: 22,207	I had not seen that either. __________________ Darrell Ignorance is a disease my friend. You should rid yourself of it.

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05-16-2007	#5 (permalink)
Kawa 900 Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malta Posts: 99	I'm not a technical person, but I installed the Hard Krome Strippers exhaust on my VN900 and the Power Commander III USB. I took it to the local Kawasaki Dealer and he put it on his Dyno. He adjusted the mapping himself and it is working just fine. I noticed that the bike has a better power delivery and am now checking the fuel consumption.

05-23-2007	#6 (permalink)
Easyrider32 Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 588	Have you checked the firmware version? You can find it by view-->Information. New PC III USB modules should have version 1.0.0.20 already installed. Is it worth upgrading to the lastest firmware or shall I go with the old saying "If it aint broke, don't fix it"?

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