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[DesertDave]

I am down again.  2nd time in a few months.  The connector between PCIII and the bikes wiring has filled with water (rain or washing?) First time dealer picked up and found problem quickly. He removed the "watertight" boot and filled the connector with dielectric grease.

This time I was stranded for a few hours.  I did manage to limp the bike home and get it hooked up to the laptop.  POURED the water out of the connector, and noticed the throttle position sensor would only show 5% throttle at wide open, no wonder the bike ran like chit!

Has anyone else had this type problem (repeatedly), if so. . . whats the cure?  The timing of these breakdowns is killing me. Missed a BIG rally  first time and now Sturgis!

    

[hard10]

I'm really sorry to hear about your trip.
I think Mrs.WeCVO has had this problem in the past. You may want to seearch her threads.

[DesertDave]

Thanks.  I'll check those threads.  I really need to find a sure cure cause these untimely breakdowns are testing my (almost) limitless patience.

[Midnight Rider]

Thanks.  I'll check those threads.  I really need to find a sure cure cause these untimely breakdowns are testing my (almost) limitless patience.

How are the connectors oriented?  I've got mine where the seam between the two connections are vertical and have so far not had a problem.  Tucked/wire tied just to the right of the ECM, with the PCIII velcroed and wire tied to the outboard side of the ECM.

[DesertDave]

My connectors were crammed in the frame just forward of the rear fender.  when the dealer replaces the throttle position sensor and cleans up the connectors I will try to reorient them to a dryer place.  The grease didn't do the trick.

[orgtech]

I had the same problem with a RKC when I washed it. Luckily I was at home, but it wouldn't run. Had to trailer it to the dealer and have them troubleshoot it. He ended up taping a baggy around it to make it more water tight. That cured it for me.

[Rhino]

Don't forget the DucTape too.

He ended up taping a baggy around it to make it more water tight. That cured it for me.

[ccr]

Not sure how it happened after having the bike for a couple of years with the PC and having no problems, but mine started collecting water too after the last couple of washes.  Took the cover off and using one of those very long zip strips, relocated it up high and to the right, it does not seem to be such a magnet to water.  Down low, it has all the water pouring right in.  And the bike does not run right if there is water in there.  I like the idea about the duck tape.  When I get my bike back, I will try that. 

[REGGAB]

I am down again.  2nd time in a few months.  The connector between PCIII and the bikes wiring has filled with water (rain or washing?) First time dealer picked up and found problem quickly. He removed the "watertight" boot and filled the connector with dielectric grease.

This time I was stranded for a few hours.  I did manage to limp the bike home and get it hooked up to the laptop.  POURED the water out of the connector, and noticed the throttle position sensor would only show 5% throttle at wide open, no wonder the bike ran like chit!

Has anyone else had this type problem (repeatedly), if so. . . whats the cure?  The timing of these breakdowns is killing me. Missed a BIG rally  first time and now Sturgis!

    

Very easily preventable and self-fixable challenge.  This happened to me out in Kansas last month.  Tuner had stuffed the PCIII to ECM Harness union under the battery box.  I never looked before I left.  Got to Kansas, washed the bike, ran good just until I got back to the hotel, then started missing.  I've been down that road before, so I knew what it was.  Coasted to a stop.  Pulled off the right saddlebag and side cover...............was appalled to see where the union was.  Pulled out the union, disconnected it, and poured all the water out.........then shook it to get any residual water out.  Put it back together, zip tied it IN FRONT of the PCIII/ECM modules (in relation to the long axis of the bike....as you are looking at it, it would be to the right to the PCIII/ECM modules), reinstall side cover and saddlebag.  Works great.  Haven't had a challenge since then.

[hdhiwayman]

I had the exact same problem last year. What I found was the cable going into the "water tight" connector was not seald off. I can't remember now if was from the PCIII of the ecm cable., but I used clear silicone and sealed up the connector. No problems since.

[Midnight Rider]

Very easily preventable and self-fixable challenge.  This happened to me out in Kansas last month.  Tuner had stuffed the PCIII to ECM Harness union under the battery box.  I never looked before I left.  Got to Kansas, washed the bike, ran good just until I got back to the hotel, then started missing.  I've been down that road before, so I knew what it was.  Coasted to a stop.  Pulled off the right saddlebag and side cover...............was appalled to see where the union was.  Pulled out the union, disconnected it, and poured all the water out.........then shook it to get any residual water out.  Put it back together, zip tied it IN FRONT of the PCIII/ECM modules (in relation to the long axis of the bike....as you are looking at it, it would be to the right to the PCIII/ECM modules), reinstall side cover and saddlebag.  Works great.  Haven't had a challenge since then.

Henry...exactly where I placed my connectors, but I did a self install, then took to Ron for tuning after loading a canned map from Fuelmoto.  I guess it's a good thing I already had the compressor for the Legends under the battery box so that was not an option for me.  I would never have put them under there anyway, as that area is exposed to too much spray off the tires/road/garden hose for such a critical connection.  I have the connectors vertically oriented and wire tied...never had a problem, and it's been nearly a year since installation.

[grc]

I guess I'm going to have to take a closer look at mine after reading this.  My ECM connector is attached to the bottom of the battery tray with Velcro, and so far I've had no issues with water in the connector.  Of course, it is very rare for me to ride in the rain anymore, so I only have to worry about washing the bike.

As someone noted earlier, you need to make sure the connector is totally sealed to the wire harness ends, both the PC harness and the stock bike harness.  Assuming that is OK, the actual mating parts of the connector are designed to be waterproof.  Unfortunately, that is also true of other Harley connectors, like the one to the voltage regulator, but it doesn't necessarily mean they work as designed.  When I work with these connectors, I use dielectric grease not only on the actual pins but also on the connector seals.  So far it seems to be working for me.

Jerry

[Midnight Rider]

I guess I'm going to have to take a closer look at mine after reading this.  My ECM connector is attached to the bottom of the battery tray with Velcro, and so far I've had no issues with water in the connector.  Of course, it is very rare for me to ride in the rain anymore, so I only have to worry about washing the bike.

As someone noted earlier, you need to make sure the connector is totally sealed to the wire harness ends, both the PC harness and the stock bike harness.  Assuming that is OK, the actual mating parts of the connector are designed to be waterproof.  Unfortunately, that is also true of other Harley connectors, like the one to the voltage regulator, but it doesn't necessarily mean they work as designed.  When I work with these connectors, I use dielectric grease not only on the actual pins but also on the connector seals.  So far it seems to be working for me.

Jerry

Jerry, I also used the dielectric grease, just for good measure.  The instructions that came with my PCIIIUSB had a couple of options for mounting the connectors if I recall, one was where you mentioned, but since that was not doable for me, I opted for the other location.  If I remember, I had to move one smaller connector around to make things fit, velcroed/wire tied the PC to the exterior, finned part of the ECM, and wire tied the connections to the plastic mount to the right.  It would be hard for water to get to it in this location, I think.

[DesertDave]

Great to hear that I'm not the only one that has experienced this (sorry to the others).  The dealer has the bike now, just got off the phone with them.  They are now recommending the SERK for only an additional $600.  I just can't see clear to dump more $$ into it at this stage.

So. . . they have been instructed to fix it with the PCIII, I will work out the waterproofing details after they make it run right again.  Thanks for ALL the helpful suggestions on mounting and H2O proofing the connector(s).  This site is AWESOME!

I'll let ya'll know how it comes out.

[Fired00d]

Great to hear that I'm not the only one that has experienced this (sorry to the others).  The dealer has the bike now, just got off the phone with them.  They are now recommending the SERK for only an additional $600.  I just can't see clear to dump more $$ into it at this stage.

So. . . they have been instructed to fix it with the PCIII, I will work out the waterproofing details after they make it run right again.  Thanks for ALL the helpful suggestions on mounting and H2O proofing the connector(s).  This site is AWESOME!

I'll let ya'll know how it comes out.

Did you mean "SERT"??

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d