2014/03/13 Caterpillar

Motor Grader

120M (S/N: R9A1-UP; B9C1-UP; R9C1-UP; B9N1-UP; B9W1-UP; D9W1-UP; RMY1-UP)

12M (S/N: B921-UP; R9B1-UP; B9F1-UP; B9R1-UP)

140M (S/N: B9D1-UP; B9G1-UP; D9G1-UP; B9M1-UP)

14M (S/N: B9J1-UP; R9J1-UP)

160M (S/N: B9E1-UP; B9L1-UP; B9T1-UP; D9T1-UP)

16M (S/N: B9H1-UP; R9H1-UP)

24M (S/N: B931-UP; B9K1-UP)

Description Of Change: New software is now used on certain M Series Motor Graders. The new software contains enhancements for the Transmission/Chassis ECM (power train), the Implement ECM (implement and steering system), the Messenger, and the 16M ( C13) Engine.

Adaptable To:

Software

Refer to Table 1 for the new software part numbers for the Power Train System and the Implement System.

Refer to Table 2 for the new Messenger software groups.

Refer to Table 3 for the new Engine software groups for 16M Motor Grader.

Note:

(A) When updating software on the M Series Motor Graders, the Implement ECM (implement), the Transmission/Chassis ECM (power train), and the Messenger must be updated with the latest version of software at the same time. Use the Caterpillar Electronic Technician (Cat ET) to verify that all flash files are the latest version. Refer to the Caterpillar Service Information System.

(B) After flashing new software to an ECM or multiple ECMs, always reset the ECMs by cycling the power supply. Turn the key switch and the disconnect switch from the ON position to the OFF position. Wait 10 seconds. Then, turn the disconnect switch and the key switch to the ON position as required.

(C) Cat ET software version 2013C is required on the PC to flash the latest software. When flashing the Motor Grader ECM software, if a message is displayed when attempting to connect that begins with the phrase "Unable to find an exact match for the .........", update Cat ET to the latest released software version and try the flash again.

(D) When flashing the Messenger, if the software flash aborts and will not successfully complete, it may be necessary to reduce the data link communication load by powering down one or two ECMs that are not being flashed. This power down can be accomplished by removing the system power fuses for one or two of the following controls before flashing the Messenger, the Implement ECM, the Implement ECM 3 or the AWD ECM. Consult the machine schematic for the machine that is being flashed to determine the system power fuses that will be removed. Replace the fuses in the proper panel position once the Messenger is flashed successfully.

Software Improvements

The following software improvements are effective for the indicated control modules and the indicated M Series Motor Grader models.

Power Train (Transmission Chassis ECM) Software:

• (16M) - Improvement to provide an Anti-Stall Protection Strategy that is intended to protect the drive train components from high torsional loads and potential wear or damage that can be caused by machine operation at low engine speed. The anti-stall feature is enabled when the engine speed is below 575 rpm. When the low rpm operation is detected, the ECM will automatically shift the transmission to Neutral to prevent continuous low engine speed operation and a potential engine stall condition. When this occurs, a level 2, E358 (Engine Underspeed) Event will be displayed and logged. The Messenger will display the message "ENGINE UNDERSPEED: CYCLE FNR". The Directional Switch (FNR) must be moved to the Neutral position and then to the desired direction to resume normal machine operation. To avoid this condition and potential damage to the torsional coupler and other drive line components, maintain an elevated engine speed of 1800 rpm or greater when working the machine. Ensure that the appropriate gear is selected to avoid lugging the engine.

• (24M) - Enhancement to the Torque Stall Protection feature that uses speed limiting to control the torque that is delivered to the drive line. The ECM will use separate speed limit maps for each gear to decrease to set speeds based on the Torque Convertor Output Speed (TCOS) rather than one map for all gears. The lower engine speed in specific gears results in a limited torque output to the transmission to minimize transmission clutch slippage and wear.

• (24M) - Improvement to provide sufficient transmission lubrication when the machine is coasting in Neutral. When coasting the machine in Neutral for more than 3 seconds, the ECM will incrementally increase the engine speed up to 1800 rpm. The increased engine speed will provide the proper amount of lubrication for the internal transmission components to avoid the potential for wear or damage. When this increase occurs, a level 2, E1328 (Transmission Neutral Coast Active) Event will be activated. The event is not logged. To avoid possible wear or damage to transmission components, do not coast in Neutral. Shift to the appropriate gear to control speed and raise engine rpm when descending a slope.

• (24M) - Improvement to the activation strategy for the Level 1 and Level 2, E155 (High Torque Converter Oil Temperature) Event to minimize the activation of nuisance events. The activation threshold for a Level 1, E155 Event has been changed from greater than 121° C (250° F) for 2 seconds to greater than 115° C (239° F) for 30 seconds. The activation threshold for a Level 2, E155 Event has been changed from greater than 115° C (239° F) for 0..5 seconds to greater than 120° C (248° F) for 15 seconds. The level 1 event will be displayed when activated. The level 2 event will be displayed and logged when activated.

• (24M) - Improvement to the activation strategy for the Level 2, E877 (High Transmission Oil Temperature) Event to minimize the activation of nuisance events. The activation threshold for a Level 2, E155 Event has been changed from greater than 104° C (219° F) 3 seconds to either greater than 105° C (221° F) for 60 seconds or greater than 107° C (225° F) for 2 seconds. The level 2 event will be displayed and logged when activated.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to minimize activation of the E334 - (Low Auto Lube Pressure) Event by allowing the ECM to use the programmed Autolube Pressure Configuration value as the activation threshold instead of a constant pressure threshold. The Autolube Pressure Configuration value can be changed using Cat ET.

• (All M Series Models except 24M) - Improvement to the activation logic for the CID 0096, FMI 03 (Fuel Level Sensor, Voltage above Normal) to minimize activations of the diagnostic code when the fuel level in the tank is between 3 percent and 4 percent.

• (All M Series Models except 24M) - An engineering data file is now supported that will provide an inching pedal operational histogram. The histogram can be downloaded and saved using Cat ET. The data file will record when the inching pedal is partially depressed, fully depressed or released during gear shifts. The data file will be encrypted and must be sent to Caterpillar engineering to be evaluated. When requested to download the file using Cat ET, select "Transmission Chassis ECM", then "Information", then "Data Transport". The data file will download. Select the "Save to File" button on the bottom bar. Save the file with a descriptive name that indicates that the file is from the Transmission Chassis ECM and the machine the file is from. Send the file as instructed to the appropriate company contact.

• (All M Series Models except 24M) - Improvement to the Autoshift control logic to minimize intermittent occurrences of a condition where the ECM does not force a downshift to third gear from seventh or eighth gear when the inching pedal is depressed and machine speed is low. This change avoids a possible engine stall condition at low speed when the inching pedal is released with the transmission in a higher gear.

• (Applicable M Series Models) - Enhancement to the Orifice Plate Installation Status configuration to enable the ECM to set default status to "Installed" when the machine is equipped with a transmission that has one of the following transmission serial number prefixes: (S/N: DJZ), (S/N: LSZ), (S/N: TSZ), (S/N: ZBE), (S/N: SLZ). The configuration status cannot be changed.

Implement and Steering Software (Implement ECM):

• (24M) - A new E1522 Event (Primary Steering Not Available Due to Low Engine Speed) is now supported for 24M models that have the Next Generation Steering Valve (all (S/N: B93)and reworked (S/N: B9K)). This Event will be activated when the Secondary Steering System solenoid valves are activated due to the engine speed decreasing to 400 rpm or less. The event is an active display level 3 Event. The Event will not be logged. Once activated, the Event will latch and requires a key start switch cycle to reset the Event. The intent of the E1522 Event is to provide operator awareness that the secondary steering solenoid valves have been activated due to machine travel with low engine speed without activation of the E258 (Steering Detected with No Command). A key start cycle is required to reset the event to enable the secondary steering valves to be de-activated and the primary steering valves to be activated.

• (All M Series Models) - A "summing" strategy will now be used to help to minimize the activations of the steering system event codes. The ECM will monitor the valve spool position when the transmission is shifted out of NEUTRAL and when the machine speed is less than 9 km/h (5.5mph) ( 15 km/h (9.3 mph) on 16M and 24M). The ECM will monitor the steering cylinder positions when the machine speed is greater than 9 km/h (5.5mph) ( 15 km/h (9.3 mph) on 16M and 24M). The ECM will compare the commanded position of the spool or cylinders to the actual positions. When a degree of error occurs between the commanded and the actual position, the ECM will accumulate or sum the amount of error to determine the severity of the error. The intention is to allow the ECM to activate the appropriate steering event code only when the ECM has determined that the error is significant enough to cause a noticeable steering system issue.

• (All M Series Models except 24M) - Improvement to the activation logic for the secondary steering pump. When the engine speed decreases to less than 400 rpm or stalls, the secondary steering electric pump will be turned ON if the machine speed is greater than 4 km/h (2.5 mph). Once the machine speed is less than 4.0 kph (2.5 mph) or if engine speed exceeds 750 rpm, the electric pump will be turned OFF and remain OFF until machine speed greater than 4 km/h (2.5 mph) is detected. In addition, if the steering system primary pump pressure decreases to less than 1900 kPa (276 psi) and the machine speed is greater than 1 km/h (0.6 mph), the secondary steering electric pump will be turned ON. If the machine speed is less than 1 km/h (0.6 mph) when the pump pressure drops, the secondary steering electric pump will remain OFF unless the machine speed increases past the threshold. If the secondary steering pump is activated due to low pump pressure, a key start switch move to OFF is required to turn the pump OFF.

• (All M Series Models) - A change to the steering system event strategy. The E256 (Steering Output Detected In Wrong Direction) Event is no longer supported in the software. An E1374 (Steering Valve Spool Not Responding To Command) Event and an E1375 (Unexpected Steering Valve Spool Movement Detected) Event are now supported in the software. When activated, the new events are intended to enhance the troubleshooting by indicating whether a problem is in the steering control valve or outside of the valve.

• (All M series Models) - Enhancement to the left-hand joystick steering alignment procedure. After manually attempting to align the joystick to the front wheels without success, the ECM can automatically align the front wheels to the joystick position to enable steering. Sweep the joystick from the full left position to the full right position. Then sweep from full right to the full left position. Repeat the sweep from full left to the full right position. After this sequence, the ECM will automatically move the front wheels to the joystick position.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the machine articulation feature that will enable the ECM to limit the maximum articulation angle electronically to avoid harsh contact with the mechanical stops. The ECM will limit the maximum articulation angle on all models except 24M to 19.5 degrees on either side. The ECM will limit the maximum articulation angle on the 24M to 24.5 degrees on either side. As the articulation angle approaches the electronic stop threshold, the ECM will ramp down or snub the cylinder rod travel to the stop at the maximum angle.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the activation logic for the CID 615 - FMI 14 (Machine Articulation Angle Sensor, Special Instruction) and the CID 2252 - FMI 14 (Machine Articulation Angle Sensor 2 - Special Instruction) to minimize unnecessary code activations. These FMI 14 diagnostic codes can be activated when the two position sensor signals from the machine articulation sensor do not match within 3.0 degrees. The new activation logic changes the degree of signal mismatch to 4.0 degrees before the diagnostic code will be activated.

• (All M Series Models) - A configuration for a proposed auto articulation feature is now displayed in the ECM configuration screen as "Automatic Articulation Installation Status". This configuration placeholder is in place for possible future use. The configuration status is not activated for current use and cannot be changed.

• (All M Series Models except 24M) - An update to add support for the new generation of steering cylinders that will be installed on production machines and used a service replacement on field machines. The new steering cylinders will not require trim file downloads for operation. For field replacement, a new cylinder and an original cylinder can be installed on the same machine. The ECM will detect the cylinder type and enable the appropriate operational logic. The new generation of steering cylinders will use new cylinder position sensors. The new position sensors will provide a measurable standard PWM duty cycle signal to the ECM. The new positions sensors are not adaptable to the old style cylinders.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to support the Ripper Auto Stow feature. This feature can be configured as Installed or Not Installed using Cat ET in the Implement ECM configuration menu. When installed, the feature enables the operator to move the default Ripper Auxiliary Lever 7 to the full upper position twice in quick succession to move the ripper electronically to the upper stow position. This functionality only works on Auxiliary Lever 7 which is the default ripper control.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the operational modulation of the default Ripper Auxiliary Lever 7 for improved proportional control of the ripper movement to reduce erratic ripper movement that can occur when the machine is moving. This functionality only works on Auxiliary Lever 7 which is the default Ripper control.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the operation of the right-hand joystick Quad Rocker blade pitch control functionality. The dead band area has been increased in order to minimize possible unintended blade pitch movement when side shifting the circle.

• (All M Series Models) - Enhancement to remove the display of the Accugrade Auto icon from the Performance Menu on the Messenger display when an Accugrade calibration is being performed.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the activation logic for the Accugrade related CID 2258 (Left Blade Control Mode Switch) and the CID 2259 (Right Blade Control Mode Switch) to minimize unnecessary activations of the diagnostic codes. The Accugrade Auto/Manual Switch de-bounce time is increased to 5.0 seconds from the previous 0.5 seconds.

• (All M Series Models) - Improvement to the Cat Grade Control Increment/Decrement Switch to allow the operator to use the Messenger to increase or decrease the offset value from the default 0.1% offset value. The operator can change the value to allow for smaller or larger adjustments of the increment/decrement function. From the Messenger home screen, select "Settings" - "Implement" - "Grade Control Offset" to change the increment/decrement value.

• (All M Series Models) - Enhancement for machines equipped with the Accugrade system and the Cat Grade Control system. When the Accugrade system is in use, the Cat Grade Control system is disabled and is not displayed on the Messenger. When the Accugrade display is switched OFF, the ECM will recognize that the system is no longer in use, enable the Cat Grade Control system and turn ON the system features in the Messenger.

Messenger Software Improvements for All M Series Models:

• Improvement to add support for the new E1374 (Steering Valve Spool Not Responding To Command) Event and the new E1375 (Unexpected Steering Valve Spool Movement Detected) Event.

• Removal of the E256 (Steering Output Detected In Wrong Direction) Event that is no longer supported in the software.

• Added support for the anti-stall related E358 (Engine Underspeed) Event and "ENGINE UNDERSPEED: CYCLE FNR" message.

• Added support for the additional language Group 7 and Language Group Eight 8. The new groups allow for a realignment of the existing languages that are offered. No new languages are supported.

Engine Software Improvements:

• (16M, C13) - Implementation of an Engine Torque Limiting Strategy that is intended to protect the torsional coupler and other drive train components from high torsional loads that can be caused by machine operation in higher gears at low engine speeds. The new strategy utilizes a two stage reduction in engine torque to alert the operator that a shift to an appropriate lower transmission gear is needed to avoid high torque loads while lugging the engine. The strategy implements a subtle torque reduction between peak torque at 1000 rpm and the 800 rpm low idle. A more aggressive torque reduction is enabled below low idle to discourage machine operation below the intended minimum engine speed. Operation below low idle and continual stalling of the engine can reduce the bolted joint life between the torsional coupler and the flywheel. This strategy is intended to reduce this type of operation and avoid premature wear and potential damage to machine components.

The new software is adaptable to and effective in production for the serial number prefixes that are listed in Table 4.