John Deere 310G Runs Erratic Code F494

James Holcombe · Sep 15, 2020

I have 2004 JD 310G that I recently purchased with 1300 hrs. It cranks easily and idles at 900 rpm. It had set up a few years due to previous owner health. It has a slight miss but barely noticeable. If you leave at idle after 3 minutes it starts running badly. Shut engine off and immediately start again and runs good for 3 minutes and does it again. Very consistent hot or cold. If running at higher rpm also runs fine for about a minute. Then if I shut off and recrank runs fine for a minute and repeats. Has trouble code F494. I have removed and cleaned tank, sock, new fuel, filters , and added inline filter before primary pump. Blowed out lines and return lines.fixed check ball in fuel tank cap as it was creating lot of vaccum in tank. Checked injection pump return line and check valve under it. Nothing helped. Primary pump manual primer fills Filter easily so I would think that rules it out as problem. Unplugged all electric connectors and cleaned. I have ran out of all suggested troubleshooting. HELP PLEASE.

James Holcombe · Sep 15, 2020

I read it on my previous thread that it may be the pump control solenoid. Anyone know how I may test this because they are two hundred bucks or more

Tinkerer · Sep 15, 2020

Welcome to HEF, James !
The resident Deere expert, mg2361 will want a serial number when he reads this.

James Holcombe · Sep 15, 2020

T0310GX927645

James Holcombe · Sep 15, 2020

Update. I put a test light on the 2 wires at back of injection pump and there is a very big change on power when the engine starts acting up.??? Seems ecu is causing problem maybe??? Also loosened injectors and watching spray from them cuts on and off very intermittent when problem starts.

mg2361 · Sep 16, 2020

Welcome to HEF James

!

F494 is a 1076.00 engine code which is Pump Control Valve Closure Too Long. The DE10 injection pump on your machine has no test for the pump solenoid, either in ohms or through voltage checks. Also that solenoid is not available separately. It is a pulse width operated solenoid which means the voltage varies.

First thing to check is fuel pressure (at the filter head) when the issue is happening. Low fuel pressure can cause that code. Also make sure there are no restrictions or kinks in the fuel return line. I know you said you blew it out but if there is a kink and it creates back pressure that could be an issue.

Next while the issue is happening pull and yank on the wiring between the pump and the ECU to see if the engine sound or problem changes.

Next use your thumb or the handle of a hammer and press on the outside of the ECU to see if the sound changes.

If the above checks change nothing, then the only way to accurately diagnose that is with Deere's diagnostic program Service Advisor. There are particular readings that can be monitored that would tell you if it is the pump or not.

James Holcombe · Sep 16, 2020

Thanks for the welcome and I love the forum. I have used it in the past just looking at threads. I am posting a screenshot of something I found very interesting regarding ecu sending signal to shut down engine or make it sputter. I dont know if this applies to my model but it is what appears to be what mine is doing. I used a continuity type test light with probe hooked to ground and checked 2 wires going to fuel pump solenoid. When it is first started and running good the test light strobes very fast and consistently. After about 3 minutes engine starts sputtering and test light starts strobing erratically. I also cracked injection line and did similar comparison that verified same results. I believe the ecu is telling pump to sputter which brings me to photo I am posting. What you think? I read about how the standyne pumps work . I concluded its alien technology or voodoo magic. I already tried all the other suggestions you mentioned except checking hose for kinks. The hydraulic fluid is low due to blown seal I am waiting on kit to fix. Is it possible it may be simple as that.

James Holcombe · Sep 16, 2020

Tinkerer said:
Welcome to HEF, James !
The resident Deere expert, mg2361 will want a serial number when he reads this.

Thanks for the welcome. Forget my manners yesterday.

mg2361 · Sep 17, 2020

James Holcombe said:
I am posting a screenshot of something I found very interesting regarding ecu sending signal to shut down engine or make it sputter.

Does not apply. Yours is a Tier II engine and Deere does not use a Murphy system on anything.

James Holcombe said:
After about 3 minutes engine starts sputtering and test light starts strobing erratically. I also cracked injection line and did similar comparison that verified same results.

You did check fuel pressure? It stayed at 3 - 4 psi when sputtering started? I would like the results of this before proceeding.

Unfortunately the only answer I can give on the ECU is, yes it could be the ECU (I won't commit to that yet), but it can also be the wiring to the pump, power to the ECU or ECU ground.

What is the part number on the side of the ECU? Machine serial number?

thepumpguysc · Sep 17, 2020

Both the ECU & the DE pump r known problems..sorry to say..
& if u were to call a JD tech out to the machine, he would hook up his scanner and tell u it’s the pump.. so he would order a pump n you’d be down for 2 weeks..& after the pump swap & it still does the same thing, he’ll tell u it’s the ECU.. or/and maybe the harness.. 2 more weeks & 2 more grand it’s all fixed..
Check the fuse box for rusted connectors.. & push on the inj pump fuse when it acts up..
Good luck

James Holcombe · Sep 17, 2020

mg2361 said:
Welcome to HEF James!

F494 is a 1076.00 engine code which is Pump Control Valve Closure Too Long. The DE10 injection pump on your machine has no test for the pump solenoid, either in ohms or through voltage checks. Also that solenoid is not available separately. It is a pulse width operated solenoid which means the voltage varies.

First thing to check is fuel pressure (at the filter head) when the issue is happening. Low fuel pressure can cause that code. Also make sure there are no restrictions or kinks in the fuel return line. I know you said you blew it out but if there is a kink and it creates back pressure that could be an issue.

Next while the issue is happening pull and yank on the wiring between the pump and the ECU to see if the engine sound or problem changes.

Next use your thumb or the handle of a hammer and press on the outside of the ECU to see if the sound changes.

If the above checks change nothing, then the only way to accurately diagnose that is with Deere's diagnostic program Service Advisor. There are particular readings that can be monitored that would tell you if it is the pump or not.

thepumpguysc said:
Both the ECU & the DE pump r known problems..sorry to say..
& if u were to call a JD tech out to the machine, he would hook up his scanner and tell u it’s the pump.. so he would order a pump n you’d be down for 2 weeks..& after the pump swap & it still does the same thing, he’ll tell u it’s the ECU.. or/and maybe the harness.. 2 more weeks & 2 more grand it’s all fixed..
Check the fuse box for rusted connectors.. & push on the inj pump fuse when it acts up..
Good luck

I bought a test kit for the fuel pressure but it would not fit my machine. Crack the line from the primary to the injection pump at the injection pump and watched it is the engine started to sputter and it did not change. I also checked the fuses and clean the blades on them and move them around while it was sputtering and it did not change. Is the ground for the ECU located where the body ground for the battery is because I checked those grounds and claim them and put them back on and no difference. I checked for kinks in the return line and also blow through it with my mouth and it had no real resistance. I tried moving the ECU connection to the computer around even unscrewed it and tried moving it in and out slightly while running and no change. The serial number for the backhoe isT0310GX927645. PUMP IS RE518176. PUMP SN IS 121396. I will post video showing continuity tester hooked to negative battery and each wire on injection pump solenoid. Wow this is in no way technical it does show there is a distinct difference between one it is running correct and when it starts sputtering. The video looks like the light is just on steady because it is pulsing so fast but when it starts sputtering it turns into more of a blink. I will post it in a few minutes as I'm having trouble uploading.

James Holcombe · Sep 17, 2020

James Holcombe · Sep 17, 2020

James Holcombe · Sep 17, 2020

I also did push in on the side of the ECU as you suggested also no change

mg2361 · Sep 18, 2020

This is why I won't commit to the ECU yet without seeing the readings in Service Advisor. The ECU , to put it simply, has the ability to know when the solenoid's mechanical valve in the injection pump moves. It also knows when the solenoid is fully on and it also knows when it is off and how long it should take to turn off before the next "on" cycle. Many of these readings can be read in SA. Now if your pump solenoid starts to stick those numbers change therefore the command from the ECU changes to make up for that which could explain your test lights change.

With that being said the official diagnostic procedure in the Deere manual (5 steps) states to check fuel pressure, check connections and wiring, then install a known good ECU and if that doesn't fix it replace the injection pump. Doesn't breed confidence does it?

If you know someone with another backhoe of the same vintage try their ECU.

Also check your tach in the instrument cluster to make sure you always read an rpm. If the crank sensor acts up it could create havoc with the engine running because there is no cam sensor for backup. Usually when this part fails the engine just doesn't run, but worth a look.

Like pumpguy said, your choices at this point is throw an ECU ($1500) at it, and if that doesn't fix then throw an injection pump ($2100) at it. The issue with your machine could be either and I have replaced many ECU's for that issue and an equal amount of pumps for it as well.

Just an FYI. New ECU's come blank, so the dealer would have to program it. They should have the ability to program it off the machine right there at the dealership. They will also need your old ECU to transfer information over.

James Holcombe · Sep 18, 2020

The tachometer has no problems it shows 900 at idle steady until the engine starts acting up then it fluctuate. I timed it and if you leave it at idle it act up after 3 minutes 45 seconds within just a few seconds time after time. I can shut down engine and restart immediately and it repeats the same each time. If I crank and drive it runs good with power for much shorter time maybe 30 seconds and starts acting up. I did extensive reading up on it last night and am going to test every sensor and connection today. Thanks for advice.

Tinkerer · Sep 18, 2020

Good grief mg2361 !
How in the world do you remember all this stuff ?
I don't know what they pay you at your job but it isn't enough !

Reginald Young · Feb 16, 2023

James Holcombe said:
I have 2004 JD 310G that I recently purchased with 1300 hrs. It cranks easily and idles at 900 rpm. It had set up a few years due to previous owner health. It has a slight miss but barely noticeable. If you leave at idle after 3 minutes it starts running badly. Shut engine off and immediately start again and runs good for 3 minutes and does it again. Very consistent hot or cold. If running at higher rpm also runs fine for about a minute. Then if I shut off and recrank runs fine for a minute and repeats. Has trouble code F494. I have removed and cleaned tank, sock, new fuel, filters , and added inline filter before primary pump. Blowed out lines and return lines.fixed check ball in fuel tank cap as it was creating lot of vaccum in tank. Checked injection pump return line and check valve under it. Nothing helped. Primary pump manual primer fills Filter easily so I would think that rules it out as problem. Unplugged all electric connectors and cleaned. I have ran out of all suggested troubleshooting. HELP PLEASE.

Reginald Young · Feb 16, 2023

Hey did you figure out your problem

mg2361 · Feb 16, 2023

Welcome to HEF Reginald

!

This thread is almost 3 years old. The OP hasn't been on HEF since a month after his last post, so I don't know if he will even see your message about your question.

If you are having issues, start a new thread of your own. Give a machine serial number and a detailed explanation of what the issue is.

John Deere 310G Runs Erratic Code F494

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