3512B Oil Well Servicing Engine (ADEM III) Caterpillar


Ether Injection System

Usage:

3512B 2AF
System Operation Description:

Use this procedure in order to troubleshoot the ether system or use this procedure if any of the diagnostic codes in Table 1 is active or easily repeated.

Table 1
Diagnostic Codes Table 
Description  Conditions which Generate this Code  System Response 
545-5 Ether Start Relay open/short to +batt  The Electronic Control Module (ECM) detects an open circuit and/or a short to the +Battery at the output to the ether start relay. The ECM can only detect this condition when the ether start relay is not energized.  The code is logged.
Ether injection is disabled. 
545-6 Ether Start Relay short to ground  The ECM detects a short circuit to ground at the output to the ether start relay.
The ECM can only detect this condition when the ether start relay is not energized.
The ECM has been powered for at least two seconds. 

When the engine is in auto mode, the engine uses an ether injection system to improve starting in cold temperatures. The duration of the ether cycle is based on the engine coolant temperature. The ECM, which controls the ether injection system, uses the engine coolant temperature sensor to detect engine temperature. The ECM determines if ether should be injected by monitoring actual engine rpm and the engine temperature. The ECM will activate the ether start relay if the engine coolant temperature is below a set temperature and the engine rpm is below a certain level. The ether injection system becomes enabled at 10 °C (50 °F). The ether injection system will run for a minimum of 10 seconds up to a maximum of 130 seconds at −40 °C (−40 °F). The automatic ether injection system is disabled whenever engine rpm exceeds 1900 rpm or the engine coolant temperature exceeds 10 °C (50 °F).

The ether injection system can also be operated in manual mode. The ether injection system is switched into manual mode whenever the starting aid switch is depressed. Ether is injected in manual mode if the starting aid switch is depressed and the coolant temperature is below the maximum limit. The manual mode will allow ether to be injected for a maximum of 130 seconds when the switch is toggled. Manual mode allows ether to be injected whenever the coolant temperature is less than 10 °C (50 °F) and engine rpm is greater than 50 rpm.

Note: The ether function will be disabled if the ether control parameter is disabled.



Illustration 1g01228956
Schematic for the ether injection system

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

Personal injury or death can result from using ether.

Failure to follow these instructions could result in an explosion and/or fire and possible personal injury.

When using starting fluid, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Use ether sparingly and spray it only while cranking the engine. Also, do not store starting fluid containers in the cab.



NOTICE

The ether canister must be removed prior to activating this test.



NOTICE

Do not perform this procedure within 15 M (50 ft) of an open flame.



NOTICE

Do not allow the ether injection system to be on for more than two minutes. Damage to the ether solenoid may occur.


Test Step 1. Inspect the Electrical Connectors and the Wiring

  1. Remove electrical power from the ECM.


    Illustration 2g01229009
    Location of the J1/P1 and the customer connector (typical left side engine view)
    (1) J1/P1 ECM connectors
    (2) J2/P2 ECM connectors
    (3) Customer connector

  2. Thoroughly inspect connectors (1), (2), and (3). Inspect all of the connectors that are associated with the circuit.

    Refer to Troubleshooting, "Inspecting Electrical Connectors" for details.



    Illustration 3g01229015
    Terminal locations at the P1 ECM connector
    (P1-5) Digital return
    (P1-20) Ether aid switch


    Illustration 4g01229017
    P2 ECM connector
    (P2-10) Ether start relay


    Illustration 5g01229019
    Terminal locations at the customer connector
    Customer connector
    (Terminal 9) Digital return
    (Terminal 22) Ether start relay
    (Terminal 38) Ether aid switch

  3. Perform a 45 N (10 lb) pull test on each of the wires in each ECM connector and the customer connector that are associated with the circuit.

  4. Check the allen head screw of each ECM connector for the proper torque. Refer to Troubleshooting, "Inspecting Electrical Connectors" for the correct torque values.

  5. Check the harness and wiring for abrasion and for pinch points from the sensors back to the ECM.

Expected Result:

All connectors, pins and sockets are completely coupled and/or inserted and the harness and wiring are free of corrosion, of abrasion and of pinch points.

Results:

  • OK - The harness and connectors appear to be OK. Proceed to Test Step 2.

  • Not OK - There is a problem with the connectors and/or wiring.

    Repair: Repair the connectors or wiring and/or replace the connectors or wiring. Ensure that all of the seals are properly in place and ensure that the connectors are completely coupled.

    Verify that the repair eliminates the problem.

    STOP

Test Step 2. Check the Ether Canister for Fluid

  1. Remove the ether canister from the ether solenoid. Determine if the canister contains any ether. Ether cannot be injected if the canister is empty.

Expected Result:

The ether canister is not empty.

Results:

  • OK - The ether canister is not empty. Proceed to Test Step 3.

  • Not OK - The ether canister is empty.

    Repair: Replace the empty ether canister with a new ether canister. Verify that the original problem has been resolved.

    STOP

Test Step 3. Check for Active Diagnostic Codes

  1. Connect Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) to the service tool connector.

  2. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

  3. Monitor the active diagnostic code screen on Cat ET. Check and record any active diagnostic codes or logged diagnostic codes for the ether start relay.

    Note: Wait at least 30 seconds in order for the diagnostic codes to become active.

Expected Result:

An active diagnostic code is not present.

Results:

  • OK - An active diagnostic code or a logged diagnostic code is not present. A problem is suspected with the ether solenoid. Proceed to Test Step 7.

  • OK - An active diagnostic code or a logged diagnostic code is not present. A problem is suspected with the ether aid switch. Proceed to Test Step 9.

  • Not OK - A -5 code was active before the ether override was activated. Proceed to Test Step 4.

  • Not OK - A -6 code is active. Proceed to Test Step 7.

Test Step 4. Create a Short Circuit at the Ether Start Relay

  1. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

  2. Disconnect the wire from terminal 85 of the ether start relay and from terminal 86 of the ether start relay. Short the two wires together.

  3. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

  4. Monitor the active diagnostic code screen on Cat ET. Check and record any active diagnostic codes or logged diagnostic codes for the ether start relay.

    Note: Wait at least 30 seconds in order for the diagnostic codes to become active.

  5. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

Expected Result:

A -6 diagnostic code is now active for the ether start relay.

Results:

  • OK - A -6 diagnostic code is now active for the ether start relay.

    Repair: The ECM detected the short circuit at the ether start relay. The wire between the ether start relay and the ECM is OK. The wire from the ether start relay to the −Battery is OK. The ECM is operating correctly. The open must be in the coil of the ether start relay. Replace the ether start relay.

    STOP

  • Not OK - The -5 diagnostic code is still active for the ether start relay. The open is in the wiring between the ether start relay and the ECM. Proceed to Test Step 6.

Test Step 5. Create an Open Circuit at the Ether Start Relay

  1. Ensure that the wire is disconnected from terminal 85 of the ether start relay.

  2. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

  3. Monitor the active diagnostic code screen on Cat ET. Check and record any active diagnostic codes or logged diagnostic codes for the ether start relay.

    Note: Wait at least 30 seconds in order for the diagnostic codes to become active.

  4. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

Expected Result:

A -5 diagnostic code is now active for the ether start relay.

Results:

  • OK - A -5 diagnostic code is now active for the ether start relay. The ECM detected the short circuit at the ether start relay.

    Repair: The ECM is operating correctly. The wiring harness between the ether start relay and the ECM is OK. The short is in the coil of the ether start relay. Verify that the wire from the ether start relay to the −Battery is in good repair. Replace the ether start relay.

    STOP

  • Not OK - The -6 diagnostic code is still active for the ether start relay. The short circuit is in the wiring between the ether start relay and the ECM. There may be a problem with the ECM. Proceed to Test Step 6.

Test Step 6. Test for Proper Operation of the ECM

  1. Fabricate a jumper wire that can be used to create a test circuit between the ECM connector and the engine ground stud. Crimp a connector socket to one end of the jumper wire.

  2. Disconnect the J2/P2 ECM connector.

  3. Remove the wire from terminal location P2-10 at the ECM connector.

  4. Install the jumper wire into this terminal location at the ECM connector (ether start relay).

  5. Connect the J2/P2 ECM connector.

  6. Check the operation of the ECM by creating an open at the ECM:

    1. Hold the loose end of the jumper wire away from any components in order to create an open circuit condition.

    2. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

    3. Monitor the "Active Diagnostic Code" screen on Cat ET.

      Check the suspect relay for an active -5 diagnostic code.

      Note: Wait at least 30 seconds so that any codes may become active.

    4. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

  7. Check the operation of the ECM by creating a short circuit at the ECM:

    1. Connect the loose end of the jumper wire to the engine ground stud.

    2. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

    3. Monitor the "Active Diagnostic Code" screen on Cat ET.

      Check the suspect relay for an active -6 diagnostic code.

      Note: Wait at least 30 seconds so that any codes may become active.

    4. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

  8. Return all wiring to the original configuration.

Expected Result:

A -5 diagnostic code is active when the wire to the ether start relay is open at the ECM connector. A -6 diagnostic code is active if the wire to the ether start relay is shorted to the engine ground stud.

Results:

  • OK - A -5 diagnostic code is active when the wire to the ether start relay is open at the ECM connector. A -6 diagnostic code is active if the wire to the ether start relay is shorted to the engine ground stud.

    Repair: The ECM is operating properly. The problem is in the harness between the ECM connector and the ether start relay. Repair the wiring harness and/or the connectors.

    STOP

  • Not OK - One of the following conditions exists: The -5 diagnostic code is not active when the wire to the ether start relay is open at the ECM connector. The -6 diagnostic code is not active when the wire to the ether start relay is shorted to the engine ground stud.

    Repair: Replace the ECM. Refer to Troubleshooting, "Replacing the ECM". Verify that the problem is resolved.

    STOP

Test Step 7. Check the Output Voltage from the Ether Start Relay

  1. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

  2. Remove the wire from terminal 30 at the ether start relay.

  3. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

  4. Select diagnostic tests from Cat ET.

  5. Select the "Override Parameters" screen on Cat ET.

  6. Activate the ether override.

  7. Measure the voltage between terminal 30 at the ether start relay and the engine ground stud.

  8. Measure the voltage between terminal 87 at the ether start relay and the engine ground stud.

  9. Disable the ether override.

  10. Restore the wiring to the original configuration.

Expected Result:

The voltage is 24 ± 3 VDC at both test points.

Results:

  • OK - The voltage is 24 ± 3 VDC at both test points. The ether start relay is operating correctly. Proceed to Test Step 8.

  • Not OK - The voltage is not 24 ± 3 VDC at terminal 87.

    Repair: Check the wire for terminal 87 for continuity from the relay to the +Battery. Check the circuit protection for the circuit. Repair any problems.

    STOP

  • Not OK - The voltage is not 24 ± 3 VDC on terminal 30.

    Repair: If voltage is present on terminal 87 of the ether start relay and no diagnostic codes are present for the ether start relay, replace the ether start relay.

    STOP

Test Step 8. Check the Voltage at the Ether Solenoid

  1. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

  2. Remove wire 150-OR(Orange) from the ether solenoid.

  3. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

  4. Select diagnostic tests from Cat ET.

  5. Select the "Override Parameters" screen on Cat ET.

  6. Activate the ether override.

  7. Measure the voltage between wire 150-OR(Orange) at the ether solenoid and the engine ground stud.

  8. Disable the ether override.

  9. Restore the wiring to the original configuration.

Expected Result:

The voltage is 24 ± 3 VDC.

Results:

  • OK - The voltage is 24 ± 3 VDC. Wire 150-OR(Orange) is OK between the ether start relay and the ether solenoid.

    Repair: If voltage is present at the ether solenoid, verify that wire 229-BK(Black) has continuity to the −Battery. If wire 229-BK(Black) is OK, replace the ether solenoid.

    STOP

  • Not OK - The voltage is not 24 ± 3 VDC on wire 150-OR(Orange) at the ether solenoid.

    Repair: Repair wire 150-OR(Orange) between the ether start relay and the ether solenoid.

    STOP

Test Step 9. Check the Starting Aid Switch

  1. Disconnect wires 998-BR(Brown) and F720-PU(Purple) from the starting aid switch.

  2. Restore electrical power to the ECM.

  3. Observe the starting aid switch status on Cat ET.

  4. Short the wires together at the starting aid switch.

  5. Observe the starting aid switch status on Cat ET.

  6. Remove electrical power from the ECM.

Expected Result:

When the wires are disconnected from the starting aid switch, the status on Cat ET for the starting aid switch displays "OFF". The status on Cat ET for the starting aid switch displays "ON" when the switch wires are shorted together.

Results:

  • OK - When the wires are disconnected from the starting aid switch, the Cat ET screen displays "OFF". The Cat ET screen displays "ON" when the switch wires are shorted together.

    Repair: Replace the starting aid switch.

    STOP

  • Not OK - When the wires are disconnected from the starting aid switch, the Cat ET screen does not display "OFF". The Cat ET screen does not display "ON" when the switch wires are shorted together. There is a short or an open in the wiring harness between the starting aid switch and the ECM.

    Repair: Repair the connectors or wiring and/or replace the connectors or wiring.

    STOP

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