Cat 299D2 has no power all of a sudden

[trider]

A few days ago I went to start my Cat 299D2 and it was dead as a hammer. I had just ran it 3-4 days prior with no issues. I thought maybe the battery was dead so I threw a jump box on it and the jump box was showing the battery was ready 12 volts. The machine still wouldn't do anything. I tried turning off the power disconnect inside the motor compartment and turning it back on. When I did this I was able to start the machine just fine. I got out and let it idle while I got the trailer ramps down. The machine idles up a little for a minute or two then went back to a normal idle for a couple of minutes then the machine just died and it had no power what so ever again. Tried the disconnect key again and it didn't change anything. I have been unable to get power and have a giant paper weight for the time being. What should I start checking/looking at?

Serial # CAT0299DEFD205351

Thank you all for the help!

 

[Simon C]

Is the unit cranking over. Any smoke out of pipe. Has the fuel system filters and lines and tank been verified as clean with no restrictions. How many hours on machine.
Any codes on display as active.
Have any previous repairs been done.
Is it an electrical problem, Fuel problem, or Hydraulic problem.
Do you have a multimeter?
What voltage is battery at sitting.
Have you tested batteries with meter while trying to crank.
Exactly what does it do when you turn key to start?
Need more info to help.
Simon C

 

[trider]

No the unit is not cranking over. It is dead power wise like there is no battery installed. Nothing has power or is making any noise when the key is turned on. I will check the battery with a multi meter. The machine has about 900 hours on it. When you turn the key on nothing lights up or powers up. The last time it started there were no codes and it seemed to run normal with not issues.

 

[Arny L]

Based on what you said about cycling master switch before, I would have a closer look at the switch, and associated battery cable connections.

 

[Simon C]

As Arny l says you need to check the cables and disconnect switch under load. But of course you need to check your battery voltage sitting and under load. Stab the center of the battery posts with the multimeter leads and have someone try to start it for you. How low does the battery voltage drop and how cold is the battery.
Stab positive post of battery with red lead and negative test lead on the Positive terminal of the Solenoid while someone tries to start it. They have to hold the key on start for a few seconds to get a stable reading. Any reading on meter over 0.8 volts indicates excessive loss on that cable. This is starting with fully charged battery.

Next stab negative battery post with negative meter lead while stabbing negative frame of starter on clean steel with positive lead while someone holds key switch in start position for a few seconds. Any reading over 0.5 volts indicates too much loss on ground side with Master Switch on.

These 2 tests will prove if you have a failed internal cable or faulty master switch. Any high numbers will mean a complete disconnect.
Have seen the ground cable from starter to battery negative broken right off before, also the negative cable at battery post melted of internally and not visible.

An OHM meter test will tell you nothing as 1 strand left in a cable with 99 broken will test good but nothing will start.

Hope this helps.
Simon C

 

[Nige]

I'll send you an electrical schematic. It might help you to chase the missing power. Keep an eye on your messages.
FWIW I agree with Arny & Simon regarding going back to basics and starting at the battery and the ground connections from it. IIRC there is a flexible ground cable from the chassis to the cab that is only accessible with the cab raised.

 

[tannerdangerous]

The same thing has happened to my cat 299d3 xe. It died and lost all power when I actuated the mulching head attachment. Tested the main power disconnect and battery connections everything is in working order. Cat dealership says that there's a 100 amp and 30 amp fuse in the engine compartment somewhere that could be my next place to check. But I need the electrical diagram to find them.

 

[Nige]

Serial Number.?

See this link. It might be worth checking that same cable on your machine.

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/cat-246b-drops-all-power-when-trying-to-start-but-will-somehow-restore-power-back-to-cab.117999/