John Deere 323D Track Loader Troubleshooting

The John Deere 323D compact track loader is powered by 149.1 cu.in (2.4L) JD PowerTech E 4024HT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 69 hp (51.4 kW) at 2300 rpm. The John Deere 323D is equipped with 1-speed or 2-speed transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, and 12.6" (320 mm) or 15.8" (400 mm) rubber tracks with steel inserts. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 19 gpm (72 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 2295 lbs (1042 kg) and tipping load of 7200 lbs (3268 kg). The boom lifting force is 3700 lbs (1680 kg), and bucket breakout force is 5600 lbs (2542 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel hard to start or doesn't start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Clogged fuel filter - Service or replace the filter.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Rebuild or change fuel pump.

Diesel starts and then shuts off

Plugged air filter - Clean or change.
Fuel filter plugging - Install new 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.
Defective fuel injection pump - Replace injection pump or repair it.

Engine stalls during operation

Coolant temperature is low - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Clean or change the filter.
Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.

Engine stops at low idle speed

Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Correct the settings.
Defective fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Incorrect valve clearance - Correct valve clearance.

Engine power loss

Air cleaner is dirty - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Improper valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.
Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Adjustment required.
Clogged fuel lines or hoses - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Cylinder head gasket is defective - Change cylinder head gasket.
Worn or damaged piston rings - Change piston rings.

Engine overheating

Lack of coolant in cooling system - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Engine oil level low - Fill up the engine oil.
Damaged radiator cap or dirty radiator core - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Fan belt is worn or faulty - Belt change is required.
Engine overload - Reduce load on the engine.

Oil pressure is low

Insufficient engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Dirty oil filter - Clean or replace engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Use oil of proper viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Bearing replacement required.
Oil pump failure - Repair or replace.

Engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level is insufficient - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is cold - Warm up engine as required.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Set it up as required.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Correct low idle settings.
Fuel injector fault - Replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is defective or misaligned - Connecting rod must be aligned or replaced.
Pistons are broken or worn - Replace the pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't operate in either direction

Hydraulic oil level is low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Undercarriage tracks are defective or jammed - Repair or remedy jamming.
Relief valve is not working correctly - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is plugged - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Check and repair as required.
Drive motor or pump failure - Inspect and change as required.

Machine is not moving straight or moving is jerky

Jammed or damaged undercarriage tracks - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Tracks are worn or loose - Adjust track tension as required or replace tracks.
Undercarriage track frame is clogged with dirt, debris, or foreign objects - Remove debris or foreign objects and clean track frame.

Reduced power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Relief valve is defective or opened - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission components are damaged or faulty - Check and change faulty components.
Input drive shaft failure - Replace drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system keeps overheating

Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is not working correctly - Repair or replace.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Inspect and change as required.
Dirty oil cooler - Cooling fins should be cleaned.
Transmission overloading - Reduce loading.

Drive system is noisy

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use oil of proper viscosity.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or change faulty component.
Mechanical components of drive system are defective or worn - Check drive system and change faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Correct adjustment is required.
Main relief valve failure or improper setting - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Not enough hydraulic fluid in the system - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.

Boom cannot be lowered or raised

Lift controls are damaged - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump failure - Install new pump or repair it.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Replace or repair boom cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Bucket won't move

Damaged bucket controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump not working - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Damaged bucket cylinder - Change or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.

Bucket or lift arm functions slowly

Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Check pump performance and change it if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Adjust correctly or repair.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Adjust pressure correctly.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Hydraulic oil filter element is dirty - Clean or replace the filter.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Replace failed component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Hydraulic leakage or lack of oil - Add hydraulic oil or correct system leaks.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Plugged suction line - Clean suction line as required.
Pump is sucking air - Air bleeding is required.
Damaged pump parts - Rebuild or replace hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Electrical wire connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or service cable connections.
Battery terminal connectors are defective - Change terminal connectors.
Battery bad cell - Change the battery.
Belt is damaged or loose - Adjust belt tension or install a new belt.

Starter cranks slow

Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Service or change the battery.
Disconnected battery cables or bad terminals - Connect cables properly or replace terminals.

Starter will not crank

Battery is discharged or defective - Need to charge or replace the battery.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery.
Starter motor failure - Starter should be replaced.