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Frickin' Dealers!

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5.1K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  naknekpete  
#1 ·
A few weeks ago I purchased a used Power CommanderV on EBay. After installing it and putting the O2 Optimizers and a Map. I took it fora ride to a Custom Motorcycle parts store to order my 21” & 16” DNA Black Powder coated with Twisted Chrome Spoke & Whitewall Tires. When I got home I decided to Internal wire my handlebar switches,So I greased the outer sleeve to get them to pull thru a bit easier. I used a LA Choppers extension kit with the OEM connecters on one end and the other end has bare wire to cut to length and heat shrink. 5 wires on the right and 4 wires on the left, wires are color coded. After I had everything done I reconnected the Ground wire on the battery went to start the bike and nothing happened. It would not crank, all the switch controls were working. I could hear the fuel pump come on, but it would not kick on. I did see the speedo lights dimly go off when I hit the start button and also a VINERR on the speedo . I took all the heat shrink off and rechecked the wires but still I couldn’t get the damn bike to turn on, I even took off the Power Commander to see if that could be the problem. So I had it towed to my nearest HD Dealer and they said they would need to install new switch controls. And it would cost me parts and labor 1,200.00 600 bucks in parts and 600 in labor. Sound like there trying to screw me over, what do you guy's think?
 
#2 ·
I've seen where that VINERR shows up if the battery is not fully charged, so get it load tested and check the cables and grounds. Very possible it's voltage related.
Also, I think what happens is that the ECM has lost the connection to the bike and can't confirm the VIN that the ECM is married to. You can try resetting the ECM by pulling the maxifuse for 5 minutes and try again.
You didn't say what year/model you have, but if the throttle is FBW that may be an issue, too.
 
#8 ·
The ECM is what carries the VIN as I understand it, so it wouldnt make sense that its lost its connection with itself. I think it may be a low battery but more likely the problem is in the handlebar wiring work like a bad connection or some crossed wires, maybe something grounding.
 
#3 ·
Go back over your work. You probably have a pinched wire somewhere. Possible that a pin(s) in the new connector is not making contact. It's a simple fix, but finding it, not so simple.
And yes, the $1,200 dollar quote is just a nice way of telling you they don't want to eff with it.
 
#5 ·
Sounds like anytime I try to fix something. To begin with if the dealer isn't supplying parts I don't take it to a dealer, I take it to an independent. Harley dealers make money off Harley parts you buy from them plus they can estimate the repair an not have to relook through everything you did. That is what independents are set up for. They start fixing items you bought somewhere else and there is a problem later they don't want you coming back bitchin. I don't blame them. Works on cars and everything else that is mechanical in life.
 
#6 ·
You have to understand that dealerships don't really "fix" anything anymore. They're not going to trace anything and look for possible issues. They just replace parts and do it based on a shop book. They're going to rip out everything that it might be and replace it all. That's what they do. That's what car dealerships do. That's just how it works anymore.
 
#9 ·
sounds like a bad connection somewhere. start at the battery ground.

You should not attack all dealers, You messed something up.

Fix it yourself or pay the piper.

and why buy used on ebay for something this important.

Well, you asked.
 
#11 ·
So after picking up my 2014 Deluxe from winter storage at Harley I decided to put on the switches that I ordered over the winter. I tried to clear the codes but for some reason I could not get the diag to display on the speedo. I went ahead and replace both control switches and tested the them before starting by pressing the turns & hazzard the hi/lo lamp buttons, everything worked except the horn. I swapped out my battery with a newly charged one and hit the start no crank. The vin error was still on showing up on the speedo so I went to harley and bought a new Speedo tach combo. After installing the new speedo it displayed same milage that was on the old speedo so I hit the start button and still nothing. I tried to clear the codes by holding the trip button for a few seconds and turning on the bike, but no sweep or display. Is there another way to clear whatever code is in the Ecm or Bcm or am I going to have to take her back to the dealer? if so I at least switches are back to stock and hopefully now they can at least hook the bike up to the computer, any input would be greatly appreciated. thanks
 
#12 ·
You pinched the wire that goes to the start button.

You got bare wire shorting out to ground.
 
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#13 ·
>>>>> crap my age meter just kicked in
 
#14 ·
So almost 6 months later, I finally get my bike up and running. It turn out to be a bad BCM the first Harley dealer wanted to replace the switches, I refused the second dealership after I told them about installing the apes they insisted that the problem was in the switches even though they were already been heat shrunk and fixed by a custom bike shop that had installed my 21" rims as a favor. They said that it wasn't Oem and that there might be a problem with the wiring and it would have to be replaced before they could diagnose the problem. After refusing to have them put the switches I got the bike from them in the spring and put the new parts in myself but it still wouldn't start. So I took it to a different Harley and left the bike the way it was, same switch that the custom bike shop had done. Only this time didn't even mention the switch or ape install. Like I said it was a bad BCM, I can't believe all the bullshit I had to go through.
 
#15 ·
Sounds like the wiring work the custom shop did included repairing whatever was shorting that caused a power spike to kill the BCM, not just heat shrinking it. Otherwise it would be unbelievably coincidental that the BCM chose the exact same time as your wiring work to crap out all on its own. A real PITA for sure, but do you think it was self inflicted?