Caterpillar 289C Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Caterpillar 289C compact track loader is powered by 201.2 cu.in (3.3L) Cat C3.4 DIT 4-cycle 4-cylinder turbocharged liquid-cooled diesel engine with a rated power of 84 hp (63 kW) at 2500 rpm. The Cat 289C is equipped with a two-speed transmission, planetary final drives, steel embedded rubber tracks, and wet multi disc brakes. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 22 gpm (84 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 2695 lbs (1222 kg) and tipping load of 7720 lbs (3500 kg). The lift height is 127.5" (3210 mm) to hinge pin, and bucket breakout force is 7310 lbs (3315 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or won't start

Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Change the filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Valve clearance is not correct - Check and adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump failure - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Diesel starts and then shuts off

Air filter is clogged - Service or replace the air filter.
Fuel filter element clogging - Change the filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Dirty or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Repair or replace injection pump.

Diesel shuts off while driving

Engine is cold - Warm up to required temperature.
Fuel filter is plugged - Change filter element.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Replace injection nozzles.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Set it up as required.

Engine stalls at low idle speed

Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump is not working correctly - Replace injection pump or repair it.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust to proper valve clearance.

Diesel engine loses power

Air filter is clogged - Replace or clean air filter element.
Faulty fuel injection nozzles - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Uneven fuel injection pressure - Adjust to proper pressure.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Correct valve clearance.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Adjust as required.
Restricted fuel lines or hoses - Clean fuel system lines and hoses.
Cylinder-head gasket is leaking - Replace the gasket as required.
Leaking or damaged piston rings - Replace the piston rings as required.

Engine overheating

Coolant level is low - Add coolant and check the components of cooling system.
Lack of engine oil - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Faulty radiator cap or dirty radiator fins - Clean radiator or change cap.
Damaged or worn fan belt - Belt change is required.
Engine is overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Low oil pressure

Insufficient engine oil - Add oil as required.
Dirty oil filter element - Service or change engine oil filter element.
Improper type of engine oil - Use correct viscosity oil.
Main bearing oil clearance is excessive - Bearing needs to be changed.
Oil pump is worn or damaged - Inspect and change as required.

Engine noises or knocks

Engine oil level is low - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Engine is not warmed up to the required temperature - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.
Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injector fault - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Misaligned or faulty connecting rod - Align or change connecting rod.
Worn or broken pistons - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving forward or backward

Low hydraulic fluid level - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Track mechanism is blocked or damaged - Repair or remedy blockage.
Relief valve is not working correctly - Repair or change.
Clogged suction line or hydraulic filter - Change hydraulic filter or service suction line.
Foot or hand controls are defective - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Drive pump or motor malfunction - Inspect and change as required.

Machine will not drive straight or drives jerky

Undercarriage tracks are jammed or defective - Repair or remedy jamming.
Tracks are sagging or faulty - Adjust track sag with tensioning or replace tracks.
Debris, dirt, or foreign objects stuck in undercarriage track frame - Clean undercarriage track frame.

Low power

Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Open or damaged relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Worn or defective transmission parts - Inspect and change defective parts.
Damaged input drive shaft - Repair or replace drive shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.

Drive system overheating

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Clogged hydraulic fluid filter - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Defective relief valve - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Hydraulic oil cooler is dirty - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system overload - Reduce loading.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Wrong oil viscosity - Use the specified type of oil.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Check and repair if required.
Mechanical parts of drive system are worn or damaged - Check the parts and change if required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Adjust it correctly.
Main relief valve failure or improper setting - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Change hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic oil level is insufficient - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Replace or repair pump if necessary.

Boom does not raise or lower

Faulty lift controls - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump not working - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Repair or change hydraulic cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket tilt does not work

Damaged bucket controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump not working - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Broken bucket cylinder - Install a new cylinder or repair it.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Add fluid as required.

Boom or bucket functions slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Check pump capacity and change if necessary.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Set properly or repair.
Low hydraulic pressure - Adjust pressure as required.

Lift arm or bucket movements are jerky

Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Clean or replace the filter.
Hydraulic fluid is dirty - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Change defective component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Hydraulic leakage or lack of oil - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Hydraulic filter clogging - Clean or replace the filter.
Suction line is clogged - Clean suction line as required.
Air enters the pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Damaged pump parts - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Wiring connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or clean connections.
Battery terminal connectors are defective - Change terminal connectors.
Battery dead cell - Change the battery.
Damaged or loose belt - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter motor cranks slow

Low battery power - Recharge the battery.
Battery drains quickly - Battery needs to be serviced or replaced.
Terminals are faulty or battery cables are disconnected - Check cable connections and change or clean terminals.

Starter is not working

Battery is discharged or defective - Need to charge or replace the battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Battery voltage is low - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Starter motor is faulty - Change or repair starter.