The Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET)
Illustration 1 | g01277712 |
Connections for the Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) |
The Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) is a software program that is used to access data. The service technician can use the ET in order to perform maintenance on the machine. Some of the options that are available with the Caterpillar Electronic Technician are listed below:
- View the active diagnostic codes and logged diagnostic codes. See Troubleshooting, "Diagnostic Code List" and Troubleshooting, "Using the Caterpillar Electronic Technician to Determine Diagnostic Codes".
- Viewing the active event codes and logged event codes
- View the status of parameters.
- Clear the logged non-active diagnostic codes
- Perform calibrations of machine systems.
- Program the ECM (Flash). This is done with the "WINflash" program. See Testing and Adjusting, "Electronic Control Module (ECM) - Flash Program".
- Print reports.
The following list contains some of the diagnostic functions and programming functions that are performed by the service tools.
- The failures of the ECM system are displayed.
- The status of most of the inputs and the outputs are displayed.
- The settings for the ECM are displayed.
- Display the status of the input and output parameters in real time.
- Display the clock hour of the internal diagnostic clock.
- The number of occurrences of a diagnostic code with the clock hour of the first occurrence and the last occurrence is displayed for each logged diagnostic code.
- The definition for each logged diagnostic code and each event is displayed.
- Load new FLASH software.
Diagnostic Codes
Active Diagnostic Codes
Illustration 2 | g01306177 |
Typical ET screen for active diagnostic codes |
Logged Diagnostic Codes
Illustration 3 | g01306184 |
Typical ET screen for logged diagnostic codes |
Event Codes
Active Event Codes
Illustration 4 | g01306185 |
Typical ET screen for active event codes |
Logged Event Codes
Illustration 5 | g01306188 |
Typical ET screen for logged event codes |
An indicator for logged events is provided. The indicator allows the service technician to keep track of event codes that are intermittent. The data for the logged event will include the following information:
- An event identifier (EID)
- A text description of the problem
- The number of occurrences of the problem
- A time stamp will display the first occurrence of the problem.
- A time stamp will display the last occurrence of the problem.
Status Groups For The Electronic Technician
The status groups are lists of machine parameters. The status of the parameters are shown in real time.
There is a section within ET which allows the creation of a "custom" group of parameters which may be useful in troubleshooting. This is located in the line labeled "<TEMPORARY GROUP>".
Illustration 6 | g01305491 |
Typical ET Status Groups Screen |
Temporary Groups For the Electronic Technician
Illustration 7 | g01341132 |
Typical ET Temporary Groups Screen |
Monitoring System
Compact Instrument Cluster
The Compact Instrument Cluster (CIC) display is located in the center of the dash panel.
The Compact Instrument Cluster monitoring system monitors the operation of the machine. The Compact Instrument Cluster displays information in the following three ways:
- Gauges
- Indicators
- LCD Display
Illustration 8 | g01339039 |
Instrument Cluster Display Module (1) Hydraulic Oil Temperature (2) Engine Coolant Temperature (3) Fuel Level (4) Action Lamp (5) Parking Brake (6) Blade Float (7) Alt/Battery (8) Engine Oil Pressure (9) MSS (10) Hydraulic Filter Bypass (11) Air Restriction (12) Water in Fuel (13) Start Aid (14) Operator Not Present (15) Implement Lockout (16) LCD Display (17) Mode Switch (18) Scroll Switch |
The Compact Instrument Cluster is divided into the following areas:
- Gauges
- Indicators
- LCD Display
Gauges
Hydraulic Oil Temperature Gauge (1) - This gauge indicates the temperature of the hydraulic oil in the hydraulic oil sump. |
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge (2) - This gauge displays the temperature of the engine coolant. |
Fuel Level Gauge (3) - This gauge indicates the amount of fuel that remains in the fuel tank. |
Indicators
Action Lamp Indicator (4) - This indicator illuminates according to the following warning level descriptions. |
- Level 1 - The indicator turns solid amber.
- Level 2 - The indicator turns red and begins to flash.
- Level 3 - The indicator turns red and begins to flash and the action alarm will sound.
Warning Operation
When a warning condition is present, indicators on the Instrument Cluster will inform the operator. These indicators follow the Caterpillar 3-level warning strategy.
A Level-1 Warning concerns a problem for which service personnel needs to be informed, but the does not require immediate action by the operator. The Instrument Cluster Action Lamp will light amber on the Instrument Cluster.
A Level-2 Warning is a problem which requires the operator to change the operational behavior of the machine. Machine service may be required to resolve the warning level. The Action Lamp Indicator will illuminate red. The Action Lamp Indicator will also blink on and off.
A Level-3 Warning is a problem that requires the operator to safely shut down the machine. The Action Lamp Indicator will blink on and off and the action alarm will sound in an on/off manner.
Parking Brake Indicator (5) - This indicator illuminates red when the parking brake is engaged. If this indicator flashes, the neutral interlock control is active and must be cleared to release the break. |
Blade Float Indicator (6) - This indicator illuminates red when the float mode is selected. (Not used on PL61) |
Electrical System (7) - This indicator illuminates red when there is a malfunction in the electrical system. |
Engine Oil Pressure Indicator (8) - This indicator illuminates red when engine oil pressure is low. |
Machine Security System Indicator (9) - This indicator illuminates red when an non-programmed key has been used. |
Hydraulic Oil Filter (10) - This indicator illuminates red when the hydraulic filter is clogged or when the filter is dirty. |
Air Restriction Indicator (11) - This indicator illuminates red when the air filter is plugged. |
Fuel/Water Separator (12) - This indicator illuminates red when the fuel/water separator must be drained. |
Electrical Preheat (13) - This indicator illuminates red when ether is injected into the engine. |
Operator Not Present Indicator (14) - This indicator illuminates amber when the system has determined that the operator is NOT present in the cab. |
Implement Lockout Indicator (15) - This indicator illuminates red when the implement lockout is activated. |
LCD Display (16) - The LCD Display window is used to show different sets of data which are important to the operator.
Mode Button (17) - This button is used to change to different modes.
Scroll Button (18) - This button is used to scroll through submodes or screens for each mode.
Graphical Display Module (Messenger)
Note: Not Used on PL61
Illustration 9 | g01264275 |
Messenger Display |
The Messenger display is located on the right side of the dash panel.
The Messenger monitoring system monitors the operation of the machine.
The Messenger provides the operator with the following information:
- Operating Characteristics of the Machine
- Diagnostics
- Events
- Modes of Operation
Instantaneous information and lifetime totals about the machine's condition and performance are constantly gathered by Messenger.
The operator is able to adjust many of the settings in order to match the machine to the desired application. Messenger is also used to view operator preferences and parameters and Messenger is used to change operator preferences and parameters.
Messenger allows the technician to access the following:
- View Logged Events and Diagnostic Codes.
- View Active Events and Diagnostic Codes.
- Clear Logged Events and Diagnostic Codes.
- View the status of system components.
- View the system parameters.
Note: Only diagnostic codes and events for a Level I warning and Level II warning may be cleared with Messenger.
Note: Messenger will refer to the instrument cluster as the gauge cluster.
Some warnings will generate a detailed message that will appear on the Messenger display.
When the engine key start switch is turned on, the Messenger continuously monitors all of the following machine systems:
- Sensors
- Electronic Control Modules
- System components for the monitor