John Deere 332 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 332 skid steer loader driveline system components: a 186 cu.in (3L) JD PowerTech 5030HW 5-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 85 hp (63.4 kW), and 1-speed or 2-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 24 gal/min (91 l/min). The system relief pressure is 3100 psi (214 bar). The John Deere 332 is equipped with 100 HD drive chains, hydraulic wet disc brakes, and 14x17.5 tires. The skid steer has a boom lifting force of 6650 lbs (3020 kg) and bucket breakout force of 11600 lbs (5265 kg). The rated operating capacity is 3175 lbs (1440 kg), and tipping load is 6350 lbs (2880 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or will not start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Dirty fuel filter - Change filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Valve clearance is not correct - Adjust valve clearance according to specifications.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Rebuild or change fuel pump.

Diesel starts and stalls immediately

Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Install new filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Change pump or rebuild it.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation

Engine is cold - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Clean or change the filter.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.

Engine stalls while idle

Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump failure - Replacement or repair required.
Dirty or defective injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Check and adjust.

Engine lacks power

Air cleaner is clogged - Service or replace air cleaner.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Uneven fuel injection pressure - Adjust pressure to proper level.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjust valve clearance.
Too low idle RPM - Correct the settings.
Restricted fuel hoses or lines - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket is worn - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are defective or leaking - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheats

Not enough coolant - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Not enough engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Dirty radiator fins or faulty radiator cap - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Loose or defective fan belt - Install new fan belt.
Diesel engine overloaded - Load reducing required.

Oil pressure too low

Oil level is low - Add oil as required.
Engine oil filter is plugged - Replace or service engine oil filter.
Wrong oil viscosity - Use proper viscosity oil.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Bearing needs to be changed.
Worn oil pump - Repair or change.

Engine knocks or noises

Engine oil level is insufficient - Need to add engine oil.
Engine is cold - Warm up the engine.
Improper fuel injection timing - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Replace or align connecting rod.
Pistons are broken or worn - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system does not work in either direction

Hydraulic oil level is low - Need to add oil.
Worn drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft is worn - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Relief valve failure - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is clogged - Change hydraulic filter or service suction line.
Hand or foot controls failure - Repair or change.
Damaged drive pump or motor - Check and repair if required.

Power is too low

Clogged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is open or defective - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission components are damaged or faulty - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft is defective - Replace or service the drive shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.

Overheated drive system

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Check and repair if required.
Hydraulic oil cooler is plugged - Clean the cooling fins.
Transmission overloading - Load needs to be reduced.

Excessive noise

Improper oil viscosity - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Inspect and change as required.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Check the components for defect or damage and change if necessary.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Adjust pressure as required.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - Change hydraulic fluid.
Lack of hydraulic fluid - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic pump is faulty - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Lift controls are damaged - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Change or repair hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Repair or install a new lift cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.

Bucket tilt does not work

Damaged bucket controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Broken bucket cylinder - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Slow bucket or lift arm operation

Worn hydraulic oil pump - Test pump performance and replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Defective or not adjusted hydraulic control valve - Adjust properly or repair.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.

Lift arm or bucket is moving jerkily

Air leaks in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - The oil must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Change defective component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Leaking hydraulic system or insufficient oil level - Add hydraulic oil or correct system leaks.
Hydraulic filter is dirty - Clean or install new filter.
Suction line is clogged - Suction line must be serviced.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Need to bleed air.
Faulty pump parts - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Corroded or loose electrical wire connections - Clean or tighten connections.
Faulty electrical terminal connectors - Install new terminal connectors.
Battery faulty cell - Change the battery.
Belt is worn or loose - Belt needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Starter turns slow

Battery capacity is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery does not hold charge - Battery needs service or replacement.
Faulty battery terminals or disconnected cables - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is drained or worn - Charge or replace the battery.
Battery cables are disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect cables and connect properly.
Low battery capacity - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Starter motor is damaged - Replace or repair starter.