Troubleshooting - Steering
There Is No Steering
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| There Is No Steering. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| There is no pilot pressure. | Make sure that the steering column is connected to the steering control. Check for low charge pressure. Check the operation of the steering control. Make sure that the line between the steering pump and the steering control is not plugged. |
| There is excessive wear in the steering pump or in the steering motor. | Replace the steering pump or replace the steering motor. (1) |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The load on the steering system exceeds the capability of the steering system. | Reduce the load on the steering system. Set the drawbar and the three-point hitch for side-to-side movement. Raise the implement when you turn the machine. |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
The Turning Radius Is Unusually Wide
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| The Turning Radius Is Unusually Wide. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| There is slippage between the belt and the drive wheel. | Mud between the belt and the drive wheel can cause slippage. Also, low belt tension can cause slippage between the belt and the drive wheel. If you do not immediately correct the problem, you may damage the machine. |
| The pressure of the air spring is low. | Check the pressure of the air spring. As required, inflate the air spring to the correct pressure. |
| There is excessive wear in the steering pump or in the steering motor. | Replace the steering pump or replace the steering motor. (1) |
| The charge pressure is low. | Low charge pressure can be caused by excessive wear in the steering pump, in the steering motor, or in the charge pump. Also, low charge pressure can be caused by leakage in the steering control or by a malfunctioning multifunction valve. |
| The output pressure from the steering control is low. | The steering control may be malfunctioning or the steering control may be misadjusted. Also, the charge pressure may be low. Low charge pressure can be caused by excessive wear in the steering pump, in the steering motor, or in the charge pump. Also, low charge pressure can be caused by leakage in the steering control or by a malfunctioning multifunction valve. |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The relief pressure setting is low. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The load on the steering system exceeds the capability of the steering system. | Reduce the load on the steering system. Set the drawbar and the three-point hitch for side-to-side movement. Raise the implement when you turn the machine. Use a series of small, quick turns in order to turn the machine. |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
Steering Performance Is Poor in One Direction
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| Steering Performance Is Poor in One Direction. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| There is slippage between the belt and the drive wheel. | Mud between the belt and the drive wheel can cause slippage. Also, low belt tension can cause slippage between the belt and the drive wheel. If you do not immediately correct the problem, you may damage the machine. |
| The output pressure from the steering control is low. | The steering control may be malfunctioning or the steering control may be misadjusted. Also, the charge pressure may be low. Low charge pressure can be caused by excessive wear in the steering pump, in the steering motor, or in the charge pump. Also, low charge pressure can be caused by leakage in the steering control or by a malfunctioning multifunction valve. (1) |
| There is excessive wear on the port plate in the steering motor or on the port plate in the steering pump. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The relief pressure setting is low. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The pilot line between the steering control and the steering pump is blocked. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
Turns Are Jerky or Turns are Unstable
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| Turns Are Jerky or Turns Are Unstable. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The relief pressure setting is low. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The setting for the high pressure stall is low. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The pilot signal is fluctuating. | The steering control is unstable. Also, debris in the pilot lines may cause the valve to stick. |
| There is air in the pilot lines. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
The Engine Lugs More Than Normal When You Steer The Machine
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| The Engine Lugs More Than Normal When You Steer The Machine. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The relief pressure setting is too low or the relief valve is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The pressure in the air springs is too low. | Check the pressure for the air spring. As required, inflate the air spring to the correct pressure. |
| The steering pump is not stroking correctly. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| You are losing torque in the final drive. Also, the final drive bearing may have failed or the final drive pinion may have failed. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The load on the steering system exceeds the capability of the steering system. | Reduce the load on the steering system. Set the drawbar and the three-point hitch for side-to-side movement. Raise the implement when you turn the machine. Use a series of small, quick turns in order to turn the machine. |
| The belt tension is too high due to packing of debris. | Remove the debris from the undercarriage. |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
Machine Drifts in One Direction in First Gear When the Engine is at Low Idle
Note: The maximum allowable drift is 1.8 m (6 ft) in 61 m (200 ft).
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| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| The track alignment is not correct. | Adjust the track alignment. |
| The belt tension is not correct. | Check the belt tension. |
| The pressure of the air springs are not equal. | Check the pressure of the air spring. As required, inflate the air spring to the correct pressure. |
| There is pilot pressure in NEUTRAL. | The steering control is not adjusted correctly. The pilot valve spool is stuck. The centering spring for the steering wheel is malfunctioning. |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The load on the drawbar is off-center. | Remove the pin for the swinging drawbar. |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
The Steering Wheel Rotation Is Excessive Before the Turn Begins
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| The Steering Wheel Rotation Is Excessive Before the Turn Begins. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The steering control is not adjusted correctly. The steering control may be damaged. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The pilot valve in the steering control is not adjusted properly. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| There is excessive wear in the steering pump, the steering control, or the steering motor. | Replace the steering pump, the steering control, or the steering motor. (1) |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
The Temperature of the Hydraulic Oil in the Steering System Is High
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| The Hydraulic Oil Overheats. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| The hydraulic system oil level is low or the hydraulic system oil level is high. | Check the hydraulic system oil level. If necessary, adjust the oil level. |
| The oil cooler bypass valve is stuck open. | Replace the valve. (1) |
| You are using the incorrect oil viscosity. | Use the correct oil viscosity in the hydraulic system. |
| There is air in the oil. | Find the location of the entry of the air into the system. As required, repair components or replace components. |
| There is excessive wear in the steering pump or in the steering motor. | Replace the steering pump or replace the steering motor. (1) |
| The multifunction valves in the steering pump are malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The control for the pump stroke is malfunctioning. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| A line is restricted. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The load on the steering system exceeds the capability of the steering system. | Reduce the load on the steering system. Set the drawbar and the three-point hitch for side-to-side movement. Raise the implement when you turn the machine. Use a series of small, quick turns in order to turn the machine. |
| The charge pressure relief setting is too high. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The setting for the high pressure stall is high. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The high pressure cutoff setting is too high. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The radiator screen, the oil cooler, or the radiator is plugged. | Clean the radiator screen, the oil cooler, and the radiator. |
| The hydraulic oil filters are plugged. | Replace the hydraulic oil filters. |
| The flow control is not properly adjusted. | Adjust the flow control in order to lower the flow. |
| The hydraulic load or the hydraulic motor is not matched to the machine. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
The Machine Turns in the Opposite Direction of the Steering Wheel in Forward and/or Reverse
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| The Machine Turns in the Opposite Direction of the Steering Wheel in FORWARD and/or REVERSE. | |
|---|---|
| Cause | Solution |
| The diverter valve does not get the pilot signal when the machine is in REVERSE. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The oil lines between the steering control and the diverter valve are incorrectly connected. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The oil lines between the diverter valve and the steering pump are connected incorrectly. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The diverter valve is stuck open or the return spring is broken. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| The pump discharge lines are interchanged. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
| There is an electrical fault in the solenoid. | Consult any Caterpillar dealer. (1) |
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| ( 1 ) | Caterpillar dealers have the tools and the trained personnel for this service. |
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