CAT 279D fault codes

[excavator]

I have a customer with a Cat 279D tracked skid steer that is having a starting problem. It appears like it is not getting fuel, I haven't gone out to look at it yet but am wondering if I can get fault codes from the monitor or do I need ET? If not, what is the procedure to follow to retrieve codes?

 

[Nige]

If it has the Advanced Display on the RH side the Codes can be viewed using that. If it just has the standard display it’ll need ET to read them.

 

[excavator]

Thank you Nige. My thought was that it would have something but when I found a manual online and downloaded it I can find nothing about fault code retrieval other than using ET. And I'm assuming that there is likely a pass code to get into the Advanced Display?

 

[Nige]

And I'm assuming that there is likely a pass code to get into the Advanced Display?

No pass code.

 

[excavator]

Went out and checked it out, engine spins over fine, no smoke at all. It had numerous codes which I erased by disconnecting the battery. Now the only engine code that comes back immediately while cranking is 100-1 engine oil pressure sensor low- most severe (3). The oil is just above the add mark on the dipstick and it is setting level. When I get back out there again I'll top it off and then plan on checking the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge but am wondering if I jump across the oil pressure switch harness terminals will that trick the ECM to allow it to start? That is if it is a sender issue not a harness issue. I haven't spent a lot of time on the tier 4 Cats.

 

[Nige]

Now the only engine code that comes back immediately while cranking is 100-1 engine oil pressure sensor low- most severe (3). The oil is just above the add mark on the dipstick and it is setting level. When I get back out there again I'll top it off

From what I know that machine needs the oil level set right to the MAX mark on the dipstick. I'd suggest to do that first and if the 100-1 Event goes away it's happy days.

 

[Nige]

Just read this again. If you have a S/N I’ll check the schematic to see what the oil pressure switch looks like.

 

[Nige]

Just read this again. If you have a S/N I’ll check the schematic to see what the oil pressure switch looks like.

EDIT: A look at a random 279D schematic shows it is a NC switch.

 

[Chrisso]

From what I know that machine needs the oil level set right to the MAX mark on the dipstick. I'd suggest to do that first and if the 100-1 Event goes away it's happy days.

If it's a C4.4, definitely. Where exactly is Pacific North West?

 

[Nige]

Where exactly is Pacific North West?

Washington state or Oregon I’d guess.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pacific+northwest&client=safari&channel=iphone_bm&source=hp&ei=9Y1vY5rqGsGAhbIPtYK_eA&gs_ssp=eJzj4tDP1TfITksyMGD0EixITM5My0xWyMsvKskoTy0uAQCFPQna&oq=Pacific+North+&gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAAyCgguENQCEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBQgAEIAEMgcIABCABBAKMgcIABCABBAKMgUIABCABDoRCAAQjwEQjwEQ6gIQjAMQ5QI6CAgAELEDEIMBOggILhCxAxCDAToLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6EQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDOgsILhCxAxCDARDUAjoICAAQgAQQsQM6CAguEIAEELEDOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoICC4QsQMQgAQ6CwguEK8BEMcBEIAEOgUILhCABDoLCC4QgAQQxwEQrwE6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDUJA0WNNiYNRraAJwAHgAgAGvAYgBtw-SAQQwLjE0mAEAoAEBsAEP&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp#sbfbu=1&pi=pacific northwest

 

[Chrisso]

Ah ok. Google down here brought up slightly different results.

Oil viscosity too high in cold temps has triggered those events also, but if that’s the case I’d expect to see a few logged level 1 or 2 events also.

 

[Chrisso]

the only engine code that comes back immediately while cranking is 100-1 engine oil pressure sensor low- most severe (3).

Just out of curiosity, when you pulled the plug out of this sensor, did you find engine oil in there?

 

[Cat279D-Learning]

This might help you.

 

[excavator]

Just out of curiosity, when you pulled the plug out of this sensor, did you find engine oil in there?

Sorry for the late reply. I have not been back to the machine but will let you know what I find.

 

[excavator]

This might help you.

Thank you!

 

[Nige]

There are 10 different electrical schematics for 279D machines depending on prefix with some S/N having two or more breaks in the range. If the one posted above does not happen to cover your particular machine please post the S/N and I'll send you one that will.

 

[excavator]

I finally made it back to the machine. I added a quart of oil and that took care of the 100-1 active code but still no engine start. I gave it just a slight wiff of starting fluid and it fired right off and ran great, shut it off after about 20 minutes and it would not restart. Gave it another wiff and fired right up. We loaded it onto a trailer, shut it off and it restarted just fine. Had the customer check it every hour or so and it started every time through the afternoon. Next morning, no start again. The electric fuel pump has been replaced with a Facet brand pump, looks identical to the oem pump without the Cat only screw on pre filter. I checked the numbers and it appears to have the same pressure and output specs as the original Cat pump. Still no active codes but one of the logged codes is E459-2 engine rated hp output changed. Engine power rating mismatch. Looking back through the HEF archives I see there are several threads addressing this code regarding no start so that looks like my next step. Thank you for the help thus far.

 

[Nige]

I added a quart of oil and that took care of the 100-1 active code

Apparently they are very intolerant of the oil level not being right on the FULL mark, or even a hair over it.

Still no active codes but one of the logged codes is E459-2 engine rated hp output changed. Engine power rating mismatch. Looking back through the HEF archives I see there are several threads addressing this code regarding no start so that looks like my next step.

Go looking at engine ground cable connections & possible corrosion for a start. I can send you something more than what's posted in the threads that you refer to in case you get stuck.

 

[excavator]

Apparently they are very intolerant of the oil level not being right on the FULL mark, or even a hair over it.
Go looking at engine ground cable connections & possible corrosion for a start. I can send you something more than what's posted in the threads that you refer to in case you get stuck.

With just a quick read through some of the previous threads it looks like 459-2 is more of an electrical issue than a fuel issue. If this was the current problem would giving it a bit of either help it start and then run just fine? And it's a logged code, not an active code so it's got me a bit puzzled. Even so, I will check engine grounds ect. Thanks again.

 

[Chrisso]

I mentioned the oil in the pressure sensor plug because I was literally out dealing with the same issue/logged events in a later model CTL. It's an easy check to do, this is what I found...


Yep that E459-2 is 9 out of 10 times and engine ground or harness ground connection issue, usually in a hard-to-reach spot down the side of the engine.