Community Forums

Greg Hunsicker · 11-06-2014, 03:36 PM

I have been having intermittent issues with motorhome starting fine in past but engine light not going off and therefore minimal power. After shutting down and restarting a few times the light would go off then power fine. Now the day before I have an appointment with local Cat dealership (Foley Tractor) in Topeka, KS to have it looked at I am unable to get it to start at all. I also have not yet found the location where they can plug in their diagnostic computer to read fault codes. I was hoping they have some software issues to update or such as this unit only has 32,000 miles on it and has not been looked at by Cat mechanic in at least 10 years. Any ideas? One thing I noticed while cranking the oil pressure goes to nearly vertical but sometimes drops to zero after about 6 seconds of cranking but not every time. Also is it ok to start the unit while plugged in to house power? I appreciate any advice as this unit has been trouble free until just the past year. Fuel is good and has new fuel filter about 15 miles ago

twn454 · 11-06-2014, 07:52 PM

Their is a fuel valve/solenoid behind the heui pump, good chance that's what the problem is, engine oil also plays a big role as well !

Greg Hunsicker · 11-06-2014, 08:03 PM

Just got it fired up spraying ether into air intake but cant get engine light to stop blinking and engine shuts down as if programmed after a while but starts right back up so I think I can max out at 45 mph and get it to Cat guys in morning?

Greg Hunsicker · 11-06-2014, 08:04 PM

Code appears to be 58 when using cruise buttons as book shows

bhoward · 11-19-2014, 07:07 PM

I have a similar problem, as it seems mine won't start after I fill with fuel. I spray a small amount of ether in the air intake and engine starts every time until the next fuel up. I have been told that my injectors are bad by a Cat mechanic that plugged into my coach (he is a boss who has been out of the field for a long time). This started when the engine had maybe 38k miles or less(has 45k now). Another Cat mechanic told me to look at the lift pump which I don't know where or what to look for. Keep us posted on what you find out?

Mr_D · 11-19-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Hunsicker

Just got it fired up spraying ether into air intake but cant get engine light to stop blinking and engine shuts down as if programmed after a while but starts right back up so I think I can max out at 45 mph and get it to Cat guys in morning?

NEVER spray starting fluid into the intake of a modern engine and I think the 3126 is new enough to have a starting grid in the intake. That could cause an explosion and cause thousands of $$ damage and land anyone close by in the hospital.

Arch Hoagland · 11-19-2014, 07:21 PM

Greg said "Fuel is good and has new fuel filter about 15 miles ago"

If you just installed a fuel filter 15 miles ago and the problem sounds like you are not getting fuel wouldn't you want to check the new filter and or the installation?

bhoward · 11-24-2014, 09:07 PM

Just changed all the fluids and filters in my 1999 Tradewinds 300 hp cat yesterday. After years of my starting problems, I found that water separator was only hand tight! Its now changed out and tight.