Cat 2017 259d loses power and is sluggish

[Cgray]

It's simply one of the diagnostic steps on the way to finding the root cause. I agree that there is a chance it's probably not the issue but unless you have cleaned all the grounds and ticked the box the process can't move one.

I'm trying everything I know here to avoid you having to buy a replacement $2k ECM, but if you want to shell out for one right now knock yourself out, don't let fear stop you..........

Got the ground checking on the schedule for the weekend

 

[Cgray]

Grounds cleaned with contact cleaner, same issue still

 

[Nige]

While you were working on that I was trying to find more info on the Diagnostic Codes that were recorded in the Engine ECM and posted on the previous page. Thanks are due to HEF member @ahart for his suggestions & assistance.

651-3, 652-3, & 653-3 are SAE J1939 Diagnostic Codes as opposed to Cat Datalink (CDL) Diagnostic Codes. I suppose this is what comes of Cat purchasing a proprietary engine from an outside supplier in which the electronic system does not conform to the standard CDL diagnostic protocols we all know & love..........

In short those three Diagnostic Codes are open circuits registered in either the wiring harness or in the solenoid coil of the fuel injectors for cylinders 1, 2, & 3 of the engine. Please see the attached troubleshooting procedure, you will need to work through the Steps in Table 6 on Page 9 for "all other Codes". You will also possibly need to refer to the electrical schematic that I sent to to you a while back and also the the appropriate abridged injector schematic and tables on Pages 6/7.

 

[Cgray]

Mine isn’t having problems starting, when I say it loses power and is sluggish, it loses horsepower. Looked like the last schematic and download was if it wasn’t starting.

 

[Nige]

Looked like the last schematic and download was if it wasn’t starting.

I didn't see that anywhere, and I just read the document right through again just to make sure....

On Page 1 for all four of the -3 Diagnostic Codes (651 thru 654) it reads:-

Conditions [under which the Codes will occur] - Engine is running. Battery voltage is normal. Occurs during injection. CPU is normal.

Notes [aka sypmtoms] - Open circuit occurs eight times or more. Engine derates. EGR (aftertreatment) stops. Intake throttle is open 100 percent. Warning Level 3. Other injectors continue to operate, which will cause increased vibration.

I think what is happening is that there is a defect in the injector wiring harness that only occurs when the engine is warmed up. This is confirmed by the fact that you can run 20 minutes from cold before the engine derates.
The problem could also be in the solenoid coils of the injectors but it would have to be 3 separate faults, one for each of injectors #1, #2, & #3. This is less likely but still possible.

I would suggest to carry out the troubleshooting procedure when the engine has been warmed up because this is the only time the fault occurs. Refer to my post above re troubleshooting "Table 6".

Be careful of hot engine components and wear gloves.

 

[Cgray]

Guess I’m lost, the above schematic is about engaging the starter and engine not starting.

 

[Cgray]

I don’t believe I was sent the entire troubleshooting attachment, I only see 3 pages and no Table 6

 

[Cgray]

Nevermind, it was downloading somewhere else

 

[Nige]

Nevermind, it was downloading somewhere else

You found "UENR3423-23 Injector Solenoid Test"..?

 

[Cgray]

You found "UENR3423-23 Injector Solenoid Test"..?

yes, found it

 

[Chinzo]

Cgray! Did you ever fix this issue? We are having the same exact problem of our cat 259D losing power after warms up. It will be great to see a solution. Our CAT259D is very close proximity serial as yours.

 

[Cgray]

I have not fixed the issue, it had the same problem several years ago (about 3 yrs old and only 130 hours). They said it was an injector and they changed it, I don’t run it long enough daily to see if that actually fixed it. It started doing the same thing again about 180 hrs. I’m not convinced it’s an injector issue. Keep me posted on what you find out. Good luck

 

[Chinzo]

Ok thank you for your reply, at least we can cross the injector off of the list. Our machine has only 450hrs!

 

[Nige]

at least we can cross the injector off of the list.

I'd be nterested to hear the thinking behind that statement.

 

[Chinzo]

It was based on Cgray’s comments that he doesn’t think its injectors. If you think it is the injectors, please let me know the part numbers that I can order and my buddy has a car shop and can replace them.

 

[Nige]

Just because it wasn't the root cause of a problem on one machine doesn't mean it cannot be the root cause of a problem on a different one, albeit of the same model. Before loading the parts cannon and emptying your wallet, to paraphrase the IKEA instructions, "some diagnosis required"........

 

[Chinzo]

I agree, I just don’t know where to start to diagnose or even how ☺️

 

[Nige]

Sorry, wrong thread.