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279C2 Won't Start

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
279C2 KWB00715. I've been clearing mesquite in one of my pastures and last used the loader a week ago. Started and ran fine, parked it until I needed it this morning. Cranked the engine and it usually starts after turning over two or three times. It acts like it's not getting any fuel. It did this once before and I noticed some water in the separator bowl on the bottom of the fuel filter. I drained it, reprimed the bowl and it started right up. Today, I drained the bowl but went ahead and pulled it off and gave it a good cleaning. Reinstalled it and let the electric fuel pump prime the system till the bowl was full of clean fuel. Tried to start it and same thing. When turning over, it will sometimes blow white smoke from the exhaust and sometimes it blows nothing. Caterpillar dealer service is closed on Saturday so I can't get ahold of them til Monday. Any ideas what's up with this thing? I really need to get some raking done and would rather not pay Cat to come out and do something I might be able to find out on here. Really don't have an extra thousand for service right now. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
Forgot to mention that on the 267 I owned before the 279, the fuel solenoid went bad and I had to replace it. The machine acted a lot like this one is but I haven't checked the solenoid or fuse to the solenoid yet. I will get back to it when it's a little cooler. Any other thoughts?
 

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
I checked the fuse which was good and feared the worst. I noticed one of the bank of relays stuck out a little farther than the rest. I checked the schematic and it was the fuel stop relay. I moved it from side to side and pushed it in to make sure it was seated correctly. I hit the key, turned over once and started. Cheap fixes don't happen often for me, I was thrilled.
 

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
So the schematic saved your bacon again.? How many times is that now.? :):)
Did you happen to pull the relay and look at the condition/cleanliness of the contacts in the relay panel.?
I did not. When it started up, I went ahead and did some work to charge the battery back up. If it ever falters again, I know where to start. This is the first electrical problem I have had with the 279C2. The schematic you sent me for my 304C CR helped and I appreciate you ending it to me.
 

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
Well, the machine wouldn't start this morning. Doing the same thing it did before so I started checking fuses, relays and the like as before but no joy. Still trying to figure out what's causing this. It started and ran fine Saturday morning. I parked it when done and this morning it wouldn't start. It just acts like it's not getting any fuel. I came to grab a multimeter and am going back now to make sure the solenoid is energized when the key is on. Trying to find an alternative to the Caterpillar part which is priced at $300. I found an aftermarket part for my old 267 but so far nothing any cheaper for the 279C2.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
What kinda inj. pump is it.?? Mechanical Bosch pump or an heui..
If its just a Bosch VE pump, those solenoids can be found CHEAP if u know what your looking for.
 

still learn'n

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2012
Messages
455
Location
Kansas
We have changed electric fuel pump several times on our 299D. I don't know if your machine would be the same or not.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
Yes, def. check the electr. pump fuel output..
IF your inj. pump IS a VE.. the output pressure should be no more than 10psi..
& not less than 5 psi..
 

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
I'm not sure what brand the pump is. I went back and checked the circuit and am getting the correct voltage to the solenoid. I even jumpered it and could hear and feel the solenoid click. This helps me rule out relays and fuses. I had drained the sediment bowl on the seperator and the pump pressured it back up with clean fuel so I am assuming it is okay. I'll go back to work on it this morning. I may pull the solenoid and make sure the plunger is operating correctly. I got tired and frustrated yesterday so I just gave up and went hog hunting.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
Theres no sense in taking it out.. if u hear it.. its working..
Kill'n stuff makes me feel better too..
..& folks ask me why all these houses on my street are "for sale".??
I just tell'm, "the owner died suddenly"..Lol
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
On that Bosch VE pump.. there might be an emergency MANUAL STOP LEVER on the side of the pump.??
THIS is gonna take 2 people to do this next "trick"..
Loosen ALL the steel lines AT THE INJECTORS.. or as many u can get to.. the more the merrier ..
While someone cranks the engine.. pull back on that lever slowly... do THAT a couple of times.. & watch the loosened lines at the injectors & hope that theres fuel squirting out..
This is just for/if its a bosch ve pump.. good luck.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
NO.. Zexel bought the license FROM BOSCH.. its the same difference..
Is it an inline pump or rotary pump.. Take a friggin picture..
An inline pump has the steel lines from the pump TO the injectors in a straight line coming off the TOP of
the pump..
A rotary has them coming off THE BACK of the pump in a circle..
 

Danny L. Thomas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2019
Messages
49
Location
Texas
I'm heading back over to the pasture, I'll get a picture. It is going to be the inline I think, IIRC the injector lines come off the top.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
See if it has a removable side cover too.. 2- 10mm bolts
If u get that pic posted, I can walk u thru the diagnostics..
 
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