C-10 and C-15 Petroleum Engines Caterpillar


Engine Cranks but Will Not Start

Usage:

C-10 Z2B

------ WARNING! ------

The connection of any electrical equipment and the disconnection of any electrical equipment may cause an explosion hazard which may result in injury or death. Do not connect any electrical equipment or disconnect any electrical equipment in an explosive atmosphere.

----------------------

Probable Causes

  • ECM personality module

  • Electrical power to the Electronic Control Module (ECM)

  • Remote shutdown switch

  • Air shutoff circuit

  • Starting motor solenoid or starting circuit

  • Engine speed/timing sensors

  • Electrical connections to the electronic unit injector

  • Fuel supply

  • Combustion problem

Recommended Actions

ECM Personality Module

If a new ECM has been installed on the engine, the engine will not start. The ECM will not communicate with the Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) until the correct personality module has been flashed into the ECM.

  1. Verify that the following diagnostic is not active.

    • 253-02 Personality Module mismatch

    If the code is active, access the "Winflash" and flash the correct version of the software.

Electrical Power to the ECM

  1. Turn the keyswitch OFF.

  1. Check the positive battery and negative battery connections to the ECM.

  1. Perform a pull test on positive battery wires and negative battery wires.

  1. Check the negative battery connection on the ground stud.

  1. Turn the keyswitch ON.

  1. The warning lamps should illuminate for five seconds.

If the warning lamp illuminates for five seconds, continue with this procedure.

If the warning lamp does not illuminate for five seconds, refer to the diagnostic functional test Troubleshooting, "Electrical Power Supply Circuit - Test".

Remote Shutdown Switch

Access the screen on Cat ET that displays the remote shutdown switch status. The remote shutdown switch status on Cat ET is called "User Shutdown".

Table 1
"User Shutdown Status"     Switch Status     Measured Voltage at P61:27    
ON     Negative battery     <0.9 VDC    
OFF     Open circuit     >10 VDC    

If the voltage is not in the proper range, refer to the diagnostic functional test Troubleshooting, "Switch Circuits - Test".

Air Shutoff Circuit

Refer to the diagnostic functional test Troubleshooting, "Air Shutoff System - Test" for additional information.

Starting Motor Solenoid or Starting Circuit

  1. Test the operation of the starting motor solenoid.

  1. Check the engine wiring to the starting motor solenoid.

  1. Test the operation of the starting motor.

  1. Inspect the starter motor pinion and the flywheel ring gear for damage.

Engine Speed/Timing Sensors

Observe the engine speed on Cat ET while the engine is being cranked.

This situation may require a direct hookup to the batteries in order to power Cat ET while the engine is cranking. Refer to Illustration 1 for the wiring diagram.




Illustration 1g00781203

If the engine is cranking and Cat ET displays 0 rpm, a problem exists in the circuits for the engine speed/timing sensors. Refer to the diagnostic functional test Troubleshooting, "Engine Speed/Timing Sensor Circuit - Test".

If an engine speed is present, check the sensor installation. If the sensor is not properly installed, the ECM may read engine speed, but the ECM cannot determine the tooth pattern. The ability for the ECM to read the tooth pattern is necessary to determine the cylinder position. Engine speed is present when engine speed is greater than 50 rpm. Refer to the diagnostic functional test Troubleshooting, "Engine Speed/Timing Sensor Circuit - Test".

Electrical connections to the electronic unit injector

  1. Ensure that the electronic unit injector connector (J300/P300) is fully connected and free of corrosion.

  1. Check for logged diagnostic codes that are related to the cylinder. Refer to the diagnostic functional test Troubleshooting, "Injector Solenoid Circuit - Test" if diagnostic codes that are related to the cylinder are present.

Check the Fuel Supply

  1. Check the fuel level.

  1. Monitor the exhaust for smoke while the engine is being cranked.

    If no smoke is present, there may be a problem with the fuel quality or there may be a problem with the fuel supply.

  1. Check the fuel pressure. Refer to Testing and Adjusting, "Fuel System Pressure - Test".

  1. Ensure that the fuel system has been primed. Refer to Testing and Adjusting, "Fuel System - Prime".

  1. Check for fuel supply lines that are restricted.

  1. Check the fuel filters.

  1. If the temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F), check for solidified fuel (wax).

Check for Combustion Problems

Examples of conditions that may cause combustion problems are shown in the following list:

  • Cold temperatures

  • Injector misfiring

  • Low compression

  • Mechanical problem

  • Valve lash settings

Refer to Testing and Adjusting for more information on a particular problem.

Caterpillar Information System:

3126B Petroleum Engine Electronic Service Tool Will Not Communicate with ECM
C7 Marine Engines Pistons and Connecting Rods - Install
2004/09/01 Internal Components for Remanufactured Injectors are Now Coated for Increased Service Life {1290}
3126B Engine for Caterpillar Built Machines Alternator - Charging Problem
C7 Marine Engines Pistons and Connecting Rods - Assemble
3126B Petroleum Engine Flash Programming
3126B Petroleum Engine Factory Passwords
3126B Petroleum Engine Customer Passwords
3126B Petroleum Engine Engine Wiring Information
3406E and 3456 Generator Set Engines CID 0248 FMI 09 CAT Data Link communications
C7 Marine Engines Pistons and Connecting Rods - Disassemble
C7 Marine Engines Pistons and Connecting Rods - Remove
C-10 and C-15 Petroleum Engines Engine Misfires, Runs Rough or Is Unstable
3126B Petroleum Engine Engine Stalls at Low RPM
C27 and C32 Industrial and Petroleum Engines Engine Will Not Crank
C13, C15, and C18 Generator Set Engines Excessive Black Smoke
3126B Petroleum Engine Exhaust Temperature Is Too High
2004/07/01 Internal Components for Remanufactured Injectors are Now Coated for Increased Service Life {1290}
C-10 and C-15 Petroleum Engines Intermittent Engine Shutdown
G3500 A3 Engines Engine Shutdown
G3500B Engines Auxiliary Water Pump
C7 Marine Engines Crankshaft Gear - Remove and Install
C7 Marine Engines Electronic Control Module - Remove and Install
UPS 250, UPS 300, UPS 301, UPS 500, UPS 600, UPS 750 and UPS 900 Uninterruptible Power Supplies Modem
Back to top
The names Caterpillar, John Deere, JD, JCB, Hyundai or any other original equipment manufacturers are registered trademarks of the respective original equipment manufacturers. All names, descriptions, numbers and symbols are used for reference purposes only.
CH-Part.com is in no way associated with any of the manufacturers we have listed. All manufacturer's names and descriptions are for reference only.