Fuel Pressure Is Low
Use this procedure to troubleshoot a problem with low fuel pressure. Or, use this procedure if one of the following diagnostic codes is active.
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J1939 Code and Description | CDL Code and Description | Comments |
---|---|---|
5578-14
Engine Fuel Delivery Absolute Pressure : Special Instruction |
E489 (1)
Intake Valve Actuation Pressure System Failure |
The prelubrication cycle completed, but the fuel pressure after the secondary filter is lower than expected. |
5580-17
Engine Filtered Fuel Delivery Absolute Pressure : Low - least severe (1) |
E198 (1)
Low Fuel Pressure |
The fuel pressure after the secondary fuel filter is lower than expected while the engine is running. |
5580-18
Engine Filtered Fuel Delivery Absolute Pressure : Low - moderate severity (2) |
E198 (2)
Low Fuel Pressure |
The fuel pressure after the secondary fuel filter is lower than expected while the engine is running. |
- Diagnostic Codes and Event Codes
- Fuel Level
- Vent Port at the Fuel Tank
- Fuel Pressure Sensors
- Fuel Pressure Regulating Valve
- Fuel Priming Pump
- Fuel Transfer Pump
- Fuel Transfer Pump Pressure Relief Valve
Note: The procedure have been listed in order of probability. complete the procedures in the order of the listed test steps.
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Troubleshooting Test Steps | Values | Results |
---|---|---|
1. Check for Codes A. Apply electrical power to the engine. B. Connect Cat® Electronic Technician (ET) to the service tool connector. C. Look for active codes that are associated with the system for the event code. |
Codes |
Result: An associated code is active. Repair: Troubleshoot any associated codes before continuing with this test. Result: A code is active or logged. Proceed to Test Step 2. |
2. Check the Fuel Tank Level A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Inspect the fuel level to make sure that the tank level is not too low. |
Fuel Level |
Result: The fuel level is NOT low. Proceed to Test Step 3. Result: The fuel level is low. Repair: Add fuel to the fuel tank. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
3. Check for Fuel Leaks A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Inspect the low-pressure fuel system for leaks. C. Check the low-pressure fuel system connections to make sure that the connectors are properly torqued. D. Check the fuel filter drain plug fittings. |
Fuel Tank |
Result: A fuel leak was found. Repair: Repair the cause of the fuel leak. Replace parts as necessary. Proceed to Test Step 12. Result: There are no fuel leaks. Proceed to Test Step 4. |
4. Prime the Fuel System A. Use the manual priming switch to prime the fuel system. Refer to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) procedure to prime the fuel system. |
Fuel System Primed |
Result: The fuel system was priming sequence was completed. Proceed to Test Step 5. |
5. Check the Fuel Pressure Sensor A. Apply electrical power to the engine. B. Connect to Cat ET. C. Monitor the following parameter in the status screen: - "Fuel Pressure" |
Fuel Pressure |
Result: The fuel pressure reading is For an E198 or 5580 code, proceed to Test Step 6. For a 5578 code, proceed to Test Step 9. Result: The fuel pressure reading is NOT Repair: Replace the fuel pressure sensor. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
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Illustration 1 | g03810811 |
Typical Fuel Filter (1) Starting priority valve (2) System pressure regulator |
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Troubleshooting Test Steps | Values | Results |
---|---|---|
6. Check the Low-Pressure Fuel System Pressure Regulator A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Remove the low-pressure fuel system pressure regulator from the secondary fuel filter auxiliary manifold. Refer to D&A manual for proper procedure. C. Check the low-pressure fuel system pressure regulator by actuating the spool within the cartridge assembly. |
Low-Pressure Fuel System Pressure Regulator |
Result: The low-pressure fuel system pressure regulator moves freely through the full travel. Reinstall the low-pressure fuel system pressure regulator. Proceed to Test Step 7. Result: The low-pressure fuel system pressure regulator does NOT freely move through the full travel. Repair: Replace the low-pressure fuel system pressure regulator. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
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Illustration 2 | g03813358 |
Pressure relief valve |
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Troubleshooting Test Steps | Values | Results |
7. Check the Fuel Transfer Pump Pressure Relief Valve A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Remove the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve from the fuel transfer pump. Refer to D&A manual for proper procedure. C. Check the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve by actuating the spool within the cartridge assembly. |
Fuel Transfer Pump Pressure Relief Valve |
Result: The fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve moves freely through the full travel. Reinstall the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve. Proceed to Test Step 8. Result: The fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve does NOT freely move through the full travel. Repair: Replace the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
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Illustration 3 | g03825758 |
Injector cooling back-pressure regulator (3) Pressure regulator |
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Troubleshooting Test Steps | Values | Results |
---|---|---|
8. Check the Injector Backpressure Regulator A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Remove Injector backpressure regulator from the low-pressure injector cooling manifold in the fuel cooling rail. Refer to D&A manual for proper procedure. C. Check the Injector backpressure regulator by actuating the spool within the cartridge assembly. |
Injector Backpressure Regulator |
Result: The Injector backpressure regulator moves freely through the full travel. Reinstall the Injector backpressure regulator. Proceed to Test Step 11. Result: The Injector backpressure regulator does NOT freely move through the full travel. Repair: Replace the Injector backpressure regulator. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
9. Check the Starting Priority Valve A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Remove the starting priority valve from the secondary fuel filter head. Refer to D&A manual for proper procedure. C. Check the starting priority valve operation by actuating the spool within the cartridge assembly. Note: For starting priority valve location, refer to Illustration 1. |
Starting Priority Valve |
Result: The starting priority valve moves freely through the full travel. Reinstall the starting priority valve. Proceed to Test Step 10. Result: The starting priority valve does NOT freely move through the full travel. Repair: Replace the starting priority valve. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
10. Check the Fuel Transfer Pump Pressure Relief Valve A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Remove the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve from the fuel transfer pump. Refer to D&A manual for proper procedure. C. Check the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve by actuating the spool within the cartridge assembly. Note: For fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve location, refer to Illustration 2. |
Fuel Transfer Pump Pressure Relief Valve |
Result: The fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve moves freely through the full travel. Reinstall the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve. Proceed to Test Step 11. Result: The fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve does NOT freely move through the full travel. Repair: Replace the fuel transfer pump pressure relief valve. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
11. Replace the Fuel Transfer Pump A. Remove electrical power from the engine. B. Replace the fuel transfer pump. |
Fuel Transfer Pump |
Result: The transfer pump was replaced. Proceed to Test Step 12. |
12. Check for Codes A. Start the engine and operate at high idle for 1 minute. B. Look for active or logged diagnostic codes. |
Diagnostic Codes |
Result: No codes present. Return to service. |
If the procedure did not correct the issue, contact your Cat dealer Technical Communicator (TC). For further assistance, your TC can confer with the Dealer Solutions Network (DSN).
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