The Cat Data Link can reduce the duplication of sensors within the system by allowing controls to share information. The Cat Data Link is used to communicate information about the engine to other electronic control systems. The Cat Data Link is also used to interface with the Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET).
The information about the engine that is monitored and available on the Cat Data Link includes the following items (typical example).
- AESC Enable Lamp Status/Override
- AESC Enable Switch Status
- AESC Resolver Switch Status
- Aftercooler Temperature
- Air Filter Restriction
- Atmospheric Pressure
- Boost Pressure
- Cold Mode Status
- Coolant Flow
- Coolant Temperature
- Cylinder Cutout
- Crankcase Pressure
- Diagnostic Enable Switch
- Diagnostic Messages
- Electronic Control Module (ECM) Supply Voltage
- Engine Fan Bypass/Status
- Engine Identification
- Engine Oil Filter Warning
- Engine Oil Level Alert
- Engine Oil Pressure
- Engine Speed (Actual rpm)
- Engine Speed (Desired rpm)
- Engine Systems Status
- Engine Warning
- Exhaust Temperature
- Filtered Engine Oil Pressure
- Fuel Ratio Control Fuel Limit Range
- Fuel Filter Warning
- Fuel Pressure
- Gear Box Oil Temperature
- Ground Level Shutdown Switch Status
- High Coolant Temperature Warning
- Hydraulic Fan Bypass/Status
- Hydraulic Oil Temperature
- Maximum Air Filter Restriction
- Percent Throttle Position
- Rated Fuel Limit
- Throttle Backup Switch Status
- Throttle Input 1
- Throttle Input 2
- Throttle Input 3
- Throttle Input 4
- Timing Cal Enable/Status
- Total Fuel Consumption
- Turbocharger Compressor Inlet Pressure
- Turbocharger Compressor Outlet Pressure
- User Defined Shutdown Switch Status
The Cat ET plugs into the connector for the Cat Data Link in order to communicate with the ECM. The communication adapter is installed in series between the Cat ET and the data link connector. The communication adapter converts data that is in the language from the Cat Data Link. This language is converted to a language that is used by the Cat ET. The Cat ET can also be used to display the values of all the information for diagnosing engine problems that is available on the Cat Data Link in real time.
Changes in the programming that are made to the system configuration parameters are logged in the permanent memory of the ECM in order to maintain an audit of unauthorized changes. The system configuration parameters are used to customize the ECM.
Reprogramming the ECM to operate on a different application requires a different personality module and iron changes to the engine. Consult a Caterpillar dealer for details.