John Deere 326D Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 326D skid steer loader is powered by 186 cu.in (3L) JD PowerTech E 5030HT 5-cylinder turbocharged aftercooled diesel engine with a rated power of 70 hp (51.9 kW) at 2000 rpm. The John Deere 326D is equipped with a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, 100 HD heavy-duty drive chains, integral wet disc brakes, and 12x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 21 gpm (80 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2600 lbs (1180 kg) and tipping load of 5200 lbs (2695 kg). The lift height is 125.2" (3180 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 100" (2540 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or doesn't start

Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjustment procedure required.
Fuel injection pump failure - Change pump or rebuild it.

Engine stalls after starting

Dirty air filter - Install new air filter element.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean or change the filter.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stalls during operation

Engine is not warmed up to required temperature - Warm up the engine as required.
Fuel filter plugging - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Replace injection nozzles.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Set it up as required.

Engine stops while idle

Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Repair or install a new fuel pump.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Improper valve clearance - Check and adjust.

Engine power is too low

Air filter is dirty - Service or replace the air filter.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Check the fuel injection pressure and adjust if necessary.
Improper valve clearance - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Incorrectly adjusted low idle speed - Correct the settings.
Fuel lines or hoses are dirty - Clean fuel hoses and lines.
Blown cylinder head gasket - Replace the gasket as required.
Piston rings are worn or damaged - Replace piston rings.

Engine is overheated

Not enough coolant - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Engine oil insufficient - Need to add engine oil.
Clogged radiator fins or leaking radiator cap - Change cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Replace as required.
Engine overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Insufficient oil pressure

Not enough oil in the engine - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Oil filter is dirty - Clean or replace engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Use correct viscosity oil.
Incorrect crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Change bearings.
Oil pump malfunction - Replace as required.

Engine noise or knocking

Lack of engine oil - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine has not warmed up to recommended temperature - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Correct the settings.
Fuel injector fault - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Align or replace connecting rod.
Pistons are worn or broken - Replace the pistons as required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move in either direction or one direction

Low hydraulic oil level - Need to add oil.
Drive chain malfunction - Check drive chain and change faulty components.
Input drive shaft is faulty - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Relief valve malfunction - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Plugged suction line or hydraulic filter - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Damaged or worn hand or foot controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Worn drive motor or pump - Repair or change faulty component.

Power is too low

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Opened or defective relief valve - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission components are worn or defective - Check and replace defective components.
Input drive shaft is stuck - Rebuild or change the shaft.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system is overheated

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve defective or worn - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Repair or replace faulty component.
Dirty oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Transmission overloading - Reduce drive system load.

Excessive noise

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use correct oil viscosity.
Hydraulic system is leaking air - Air bleeding is required.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Repair or change faulty component.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Check drive system and change faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Adjust pressure correctly.
Main relief valve failure or improper setting - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Replace or repair pump if necessary.

Boom fails to lift or drop

Faulty lift controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or change the valve.
Damaged hydraulic cylinder - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Bucket does not tilt

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Change or repair.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or change the valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder not working - Change or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Boom or bucket is moving slowly

Hydraulic pump is worn - Check pump flow and install new pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Adjust pressure as required.

Lift arm or bucket is moving jerkily

Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Replace or clean the filter.
Hydraulic oil contamination - Change hydraulic oil.
Cylinder tube or rod scoring - Replace defective component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Hydraulic leaks or low oil level - Correct hydraulic leaks or top up oil as needed.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Clean or replace the filter.
Suction line is clogged - Suction line must be serviced.
Pump is sucking air - Need to bleed air.
Pump parts are damaged - Rebuild or change hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Corroded or loose cable connections - Service or tighten connections.
Defective battery terminal clamps - Change terminal clamps.
Dead cell in battery - Change the battery.
Defective or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter turns slow

Low battery output voltage - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery runs out quickly - Service or replace the battery.
Terminals are faulty or battery cables are disconnected - Connect wiring correctly or install new terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is drained or defective - Charge or change the battery.
Battery wiring is disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect wiring and connect as required.
Low battery power - Charge the battery.
Starter motor failing - Repair or change starter.