John Deere 329D Track Loader Troubleshooting

The John Deere 329D compact track loader is powered by 186 cu.in (3L) JD PowerTech E 5030HT 5-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 80 hp (59.6 kW) at 2200 rpm. The John Deere 329D is equipped with one-speed or two-speed transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, and 15.8" (400 mm) or 17.7" (450 mm) rubber tracks with steel inserts. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 21 gpm (80 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 2900 lbs (1317 kg) and tipping load of 8300 lbs (3770 kg). The lift height is 126" (3200 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 102" (2590 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or won't start

Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Dirty fuel filter - Service the filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump failure - Repair or replace injection pump.

Engine starts and immediately shuts off

Clogged air filter - Clean or change filter.
Fuel filter plugging - Change filter element.
Fuel injection pump leakage - Check the fuel injection pump for leaks and fix it.
Dirty or defective injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Rebuild or change fuel pump.

Engine stalls after running

Engine not warmed up - Warm up engine as required.
Clogged fuel filter - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust the pump as required.

Engine stalls when idling

Low idle speed set incorrectly - Adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump failure - Change or repair the pump.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Valve clearance is wrong - Check and adjust.

Loss of engine power

Plugged air filter - Install new air filter element.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Adjust pressure to proper level.
Excessive valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.
Too low idle RPM - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Dirt in the fuel hoses or lines - Clean fuel lines and hoses.
Cylinder-head gasket is leaking - Change cylinder head gasket.
Damaged or leaking piston rings - Piston rings replacement required.

Engine is overheated

Coolant level is low - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Lack of engine oil - Fill up the engine oil.
Clogged radiator core or damaged radiator cap - Clean radiator or change cap.
Broken or loose fan belt - The fan belt needs to be replaced.
Engine overloaded - Load reducing required.

Oil pressure is low

Engine oil level low - Check and refill the oil.
Oil filter clogged - Change or service engine oil filter.
Incorrect oil viscosity - Use the specified type of engine oil.
Incorrect oil clearance in main bearing - Bearing needs to be changed.
Oil pump is defective - Inspect and change as required.

Engine knocks or noises

Engine oil insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Engine is cold - Warm up engine as required.
Improper fuel injection timing - Use the correct fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Faulty or misaligned connecting rod - Alignment procedure or replacement is required.
Pistons are scored or worn - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine does not move forward or backward

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Damaged or jammed undercarriage tracks - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Relief valve is defective - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is dirty - Change hydraulic filter or service suction line.
Faulty hand or foot controls - Repair or change.
Drive motor or pump failure - Replace or repair faulty component.

Machine is not driving straight or driving is jerky

Undercarriage tracks are jammed or defective - Fix jamming or repair tracks.
Tracks are worn or improperly tensioned - Adjust track tension or replace tracks.
Debris, dirt, or foreign objects jammed in undercarriage track frame - Clean track frame, remove debris and foreign objects.

Loss of power

Clogged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is worn or opened - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are damaged or faulty - Check and change faulty components.
Defective input drive shaft - Repair or replace drive shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.

Drive system keeps overheating

Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Stuck relief valve - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Oil cooler is clogged - Clean cooling fins as required.
Transmission overloading - Load should be reduced.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use the specified type of oil.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Check the parts for worn or defect and replace if required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system has overheating

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - Change hydraulic fluid.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Boom won't lower or raise

Faulty lift controls - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket fails to tilt

Bucket controls are faulty - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump failure - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder is broken - Change or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Boom or bucket is moving slowly

Defective hydraulic pump - Test the pump flow rate and install new pump if required.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Defective or not adjusted hydraulic control valve - Adjust properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.

Lift arm or bucket jerks when working

Air in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Change or clean oil filter.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Change defective component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Low oil level or hydraulic leaks - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Replace or clean the filter.
Plugged suction line - Service the suction line.
Pump is sucking air - Bleed air.
Worn pump parts - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Loose or corroded wire connections - Clean or tighten connections.
Battery terminal clamps are defective - Change terminal clamps.
Faulty cell in battery - Install a new battery.
Loose or defective belt - Change belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter turning slow

Low battery voltage - Recharge the battery.
Battery drains quickly - Service battery or replace it.
Disconnected cables or faulty battery terminals - Connect wires correctly or change terminals.

Starter will not crank

Battery is drained or defective - Charge or replace the battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery.
Starter motor failure - Repair or replace starter.