Caterpillar 232D3 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Caterpillar 232D3 skid steer loader driveline system components: a 134.1 cu.in (2.2L) Cat C2.2T 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 65.8 hp (49.1 kW), and 2-speed hydro transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 18 gal/min (69 l/min) or 26 gal/min (99 l/min). The system relief pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The Cat 232D3 is equipped with vertical-lift loader boom, 80HS continuous roller chains, and 10x16.5 or 12x16.5 tires. The skid steer has a max lift height of 118.1" (3000 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 88.7" (2255 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1900 lbs (865 kg), and tipping load is 3800 lbs (1730 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel engine hard to start or doesn't start

There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Replace the filter element.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Replace injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Check and adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Rebuild or replace pump.

Diesel starts and suddenly stops

Air cleaner is clogged - Install new air cleaner element.
Fuel filter plugging - Change the filter element.
Poor fuel injection pump tightness - Look for any leaks of fuel pump, tighten it fast.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Replace injection pump or repair it.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation

Engine has not warmed up to recommended temperature - Warm up the engine as required.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean or replace the filter.
There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Fuel injection nozzles fault - Install a new kit of correctly balanced nozzles.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.

Engine stops while idling

Incorrectly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Replace or rebuild injection pump.
Defective fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Valve out of adjustment - Correct valve clearance.

Engine power is insufficient

Clogged air filter - Change or service air filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles fault - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Excessive valve clearance - Check and adjust as required.
Too low idle RPM - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel lines or hoses are clogged - Clean fuel lines and hoses.
Cylinder-head gasket is broken - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Worn or damaged piston rings - Replace the piston rings as required.

Engine overheating

Lack of coolant in cooling system - Fill the cooling system and check components for leaks or other faults.
Low engine oil level - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Damaged radiator cap or dirty radiator core - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is broken or worn - Change the fan belt.
Diesel engine overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Oil pressure is low

Engine oil insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Plugged engine oil filter - Change or service engine oil filter.
Oil grade or viscosity is incorrect - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Main bearing oil clearance is excessive - Install new bearings.
Oil pump failure - Inspect and change as required.

Engine knocks or noises

Engine oil level is low - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Engine is not fully warmed up - Warm up the engine.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Use the correct fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Too low idle RPM - Correct the settings.
Clogged or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Connecting rod is worn or not aligned - Need to align or replace the connecting rod.
Pistons are broken or worn - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Need to add oil.
Drive chain fault - Check drive chain and change defective parts.
Input drive shaft is faulty - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Stuck relief valve - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is dirty - Clean suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Repair or replace.
Drive motor or pump is worn - Change or repair faulty component.

Power is too low

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Open or damaged relief valve - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are damaged or faulty - Inspect and change defective parts.
Input drive shaft failure - Replace drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system overheats

Hydraulic oil level is low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid filter is clogged - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Defective or worn relief valve - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Oil cooler is clogged - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system overload - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use correct oil viscosity.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Inspect and change as required.
Worn or damaged mechanical parts of drive system - Check drive system and change faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Set pressure correctly.
Defective or misadjusted main relief valve - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - The fluid must be changed.
Not enough hydraulic fluid in the system - Need to add fluid.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Replace or repair pump if necessary.

Lift arm won't raise or lower

Lift controls are damaged - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump not working - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or change the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder not working - Repair or install a new lift cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket won't move

Bucket tilt controls are defective - Replace or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Damaged bucket cylinder - Repair or change cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Defective hydraulic pump - Check hydraulic pump flow and replace pump if necessary.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Replace cylinder piston seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.
Worn or unadjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or adjust correctly.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Set pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom is working jerkily

Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Service or change the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Change hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Change defective component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Hydraulic leakage or lack of oil - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Clean or replace the filter.
Suction line clogging - Service the suction line.
Pump sucks air - Need to bleed air.
Pump parts are damaged - Replace or rebuild the pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Electrical cable connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or service cable connections.
Defective battery terminal connectors - Terminal connectors need to be changed.
Worn-out battery - Replace the battery.
Belt is worn or loose - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter motor cranks slow

Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery.
Battery runs out quickly - Service charging system or change battery.
Wires are disconnected or battery terminals are corroded - Connect wiring correctly or install new terminals.

Starter motor is not working

Battery is drained or worn - Need to charge or replace the battery.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Battery voltage is low - Recharge the battery.
Damaged starter motor - Change or repair starter.