A weird one.....

I have been running an slp kit with a pc5 since 2013 on two different sleds, and I have had the same problem that you are experiencing on both sleds. I'm not sure what the problem is, I have been through just about everything I can think of with the sled. Dealer has no clue, and I have worked with slp extensively, I have even sent the pc5 back to dynojet to be tested. All with no solution. I just bought a boondocker box so I'm hoping that will solve the problem. Post on here if you find an answer, if love to know what it is.

The pc5 when hooked up will slightly reduce the spark output of the ECU. You notice it more so when starting. Especially when warm and setting for a few minutes. My son has a ported and piped sled with a pc5. If you try starting when warm with a half hearted pull of the rope, it does the same you are talking about. I told him to start it with as fast of a pull of the rope as he can. Since then on this last trip it has started much better. I suppose the stator output is I little hotter with the quicker pull of the rope.

Could it be a bad connection to the fuel pump? My cousins stock sled would die on him randomly and would take a lot of pulls to start sometimes. Turned out to be the connector at the fuel pump was corroded so it wasn't always getting enough fuel pressure. Something easy enough to check. And I would add dielectric grease to it.

I just typed out a big long reply but it didn't save, so here is the short version. yes I have unplugged the pc5 and there were no issues, plugged it right back in and back to the issues, so between that, and this is the second sled I have had the same pc5 on with the same issues I am fairly confident it is an issue with how the Pc5 communicate with the ecu. I do not run a switch. And I have put sled back to stock and had no problems. I also sent pc5 to dynojet and they tested it. Told me everything was good. So at this point I just ordered a boondocker box and hope this solves my issue.

hansen said:

I just typed out a big long reply but it didn't save, so here is the short version. yes I have unplugged the pc5 and there were no issues, plugged it right back in and back to the issues, so between that, and this is the second sled I have had the same pc5 on with the same issues I am fairly confident it is an issue with how the Pc5 communicate with the ecu. I do not run a switch. And I have put sled back to stock and had no problems. I also sent pc5 to dynojet and they tested it. Told me everything was good. So at this point I just ordered a boondocker box and hope this solves my issue.

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I'd be very interested in your results, I too have been having similar issues.

Had a PC III cause a motor failure and they keep saying they fixed them over and over yet I keep hearing this kind of thing. Although its prob rare and random, I have a hard time doing it again.

Greetings Fellow Arctic Cat riders. As the Arctic Cat PCV has been a flagship model for us for many years, their reputation and dependability are paramount and provide users with unparalleled performance.

While the main starting issue sounds to surround the TethAir attachment and not the PCV, Hopefully this info lends some insight and you can be on your way to quickly eliminating the Power Commander as the source of your electrical woes.

Depending on the exact part number you have (11-004 for fuel only, 11-013 for Fuel + Ignition) , there are a few different troubleshooting methods we can explore. While neither of these products in their most current form reduce spark energy delivered by the stock ECU - (fuel only units simply pass the spark wire without interruption), the switch location is on opposing sides of the terminal strip between the two models. Fuel only PCV's can have the Map Switch installed in the 2 holes closest to where the harness exits the enclosure, while the F/I PCV's must have the 2 switch wires inserted furthest away from the where the harness exits the enclosure - as shown in the install guides pertinent to both units. If swapped, this can cause issues if installed in the wrong position. Verify that the switch is in the proper position for your configuration.

Long ago in the PCIIIUSB days, those units actually had far greater potential to cause hard starting issues due to an inferior operating crystal. This was remedied with the PCV circuitry, but the PCIIIUSB is still a perfect candidate if you're looking for a raw fuel control option. Those PCIIIUSB's are rare to find in the wild still for sale, but YES - it would work on your sled.

Next would be to check the Firmware version inside the Power Commander. If the FW is any older than 0.1.13.1 , it should be updated to the newest version found on our website at http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/downloads/default.aspx . There have been massive improvements in FW operations - one of which was to cure a starting lag on Batteryless EFI machines. Access View > Device Information in the Control Center Software to verify your version.

Next would be verifying the install via the problematic floating pins of the ECU connection. These 34-Location connectors have tons of pins that must make solid contact at all times, and are very susceptible to damage or corrosion. Ensure that NO grease or buildup is present in any of the connectors as these compound problems. Also view for any bent pins which would lead to improper connections. Firmly Secure the ground lug to a raw metal part of the bulkhead.....i've chased many an issue (even on my own machines including a wacky starting problem) which come back to a loose ground causing all the headaches.

Lastly we can check to see if the Start-Up fuel feature is checked. This feature can alter fueling based on engine run time, or based on engine temperature. If this feature is checked under Power Commander Tools > Configure > Feature Enables and Input Selections. If there is an erroneous temp value or fuel adjustment point, insert the correct value or disable the feature for troubleshooting purposes.

Thank you Gents!

~T.J.

I have been running the pc5 for 3 years.last year my 800 started doing what you have described.would start fine then die.let it sit for a while and it would start and die.tore the fuel system apart and found out the injectors were not getting signal to open.changed the injector sensor and it fixed it. you can ohm it out to see if its bad.just a sugestion

Frostbite said:

Thanks 9071000, hum....injector sensor, I didn't even know there was such a thing, that may be a another good idea to try on my M8000.

After reading Dynojetresearch's post, now I am starting to wonder if maybe my 09 M8 might be experiencing the same type of issue with the PCIII that is installed on it?

It happened a couple years ago. I didn't ride it for a while and now it's doing pretty much the same thing as my M8000 wit the PCV. Here's is what it's doing.

Halfway down the page, you can see how it has acted recently.

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367670

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its easy to check.its behind the recoil.there are two.one is for the spark and the other is for the injectors.you can unplug them from the harness and ohm them.my problem was intermittent for a while then it finally quit.thought it was fuel the whole time and even bought a fuel pump.dealer told me I was crazy when I bought the sensor but it worked.not sure if its realated to the pcv timing or not but after hours of pulling my sled apart and my hair out it was a cheap fix.

Frostbite, after you updated everything did it solve the problem? I checked mine and its still the current version so Im still having the same issues.

Frostbite said:

Thank you SO much for the response Dynojet!

Your assistance is much appreciated, you have provided a great start to correcting our hard starting problem.

I have printed your guidance and will do a step by step check to ensure I have the optimal setup on my PCV.

I do have one question however, and it comes from this information.

"Lastly we can check to see if the Start-Up fuel feature is checked. This feature can alter fueling based on engine run time, or based on engine temperature. If this feature is checked under Power Commander Tools > Configure > Feature Enables and Input Selections. If there is an erroneous temp value or fuel adjustment point, insert the correct value or disable the feature for troubleshooting purposes".

I'm not really sure what I should be doing here. I'm not sure how to find my temp value and fuel adjustment point to be able to adjust them. I am also not sure how to disable the Start-up fuel function for troubleshooting purposes. Could you please provide a bit more detail on this please?

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Gladly Frostbite!
The PCV itself knows what the engine temperature of the sled is at all times. Using this knowledge, we can adjust fuel based on this value. Checking the box next to Start-Up Fuel in the Features window turns it on. Then, click the configure button next to start-up fuel. Here we will enter what amount of fuel we wish to trim at a specified temperature. You will not enter ambient or anything of the sort, or need to figure out what the temperature is - the PCV already knows that. Tuners develop their maps to keep engine packages dialed, safe and perfectly fueled across a wide range of temperatures - and sometimes they might add fuel to a cold engine to keep it even more safe. For this reason, you might see values in the table such as : At 40* engine temp - add 8 points of fuel, at 60* temp - add 5 points of fuel, 80* - add 2 points, 100* - add zero points. So anything over 100* of coolant temp will no longer adjust the fuel on top of what is already in your base TP/RPM fueling tables.
If this check mark is enabled, and you examine the table seeing that maybe a mis-typed value of a +20 in the 80* column where a +2 was intended, that may assist in solving your issue.

~T.J.

I've had the same issue with the PCV. Hard starting, Drop the mag side cylinder and no reverse. Spoke with Dynojet and being told they had a bad batch of PCV I ended up sending it back to exchange for a new one. I also found a bad timing sensor on the sled. The commander was on this sled for 2 rides so not sure if there's any way the commander could of made the timing sensor go bad or not but it is kind of weird how it happened. Going on week 2 waiting for the new PCV to show up and give it another go.