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Volvo G976 diagnostics

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
205
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
Howdy folks, I’m having a very random but becoming chronic issue with one of my 976 graders that acts like it’s running out of fuel but other than the emergency brake / emergency steering Hyd supply alarm it gives no codes to the DIC so I would like to hook up a laptop / scan tool and watch some things - any of you guys have one that you know works on the construction machines? I have access to a Jpro system laptop which covers all makes of commercial on road - but I cannot get a clear answer from searches if that is going to work on a motor grader.
Thanks
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
205
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
This machine 2010 G976 @11k hours on it, has recently taken up a bad habit of cranky starting, once its running, its good. Not a bunch of smoke or anything abnormal. Warms up ok, make a lap or two around the yard. Then about a 1/4 mile down the highway it will just shut off like the key was switched off. You lose everything. Wait a bit and crank it up and take off again. It will run the rest of the day. We have been crawling thru this machine and not finding anything wrong. Thought I would hope to hook up a laptop and watch it die - in real time maybe see whats forcing the shutdown or something. Its not giving any codes that lead us to a problem.
 

Simon C

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Messages
3,145
Location
Rocky Mountain House , AB., Canada
Occupation
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
This machine 2010 G976 @11k hours on it, has recently taken up a bad habit of cranky starting, once its running, its good. Not a bunch of smoke or anything abnormal. Warms up ok, make a lap or two around the yard. Then about a 1/4 mile down the highway it will just shut off like the key was switched off. You lose everything. Wait a bit and crank it up and take off again. It will run the rest of the day. We have been crawling thru this machine and not finding anything wrong. Thought I would hope to hook up a laptop and watch it die - in real time maybe see whats forcing the shutdown or something. Its not giving any codes that lead us to a problem.
If it has an electronic engine with both crank and cam sensor, it is possible one is communicating incorrectly with computer without dropping any DTC for you to see. Have watched a couple of video's that highlighted that they can fail and not log a code. The guy disconnected one at a time and seen what happened, found out the camshaft sensor was faulty.
Have you checked your relays with them removed from machine and powering up a 5-10 amp bulb for 10-20 minutes to see if they start to get hot and suddenly drop out.
Check each leg of ATO fuses to make sure the receiver from one is not loose and causing the computer to shut down instantly. Check all the power relays for loss across the two sides.
Test for AC ripple voltage coming out of your Alternator because computers do not like it, but some will shut down if dosed with too much AC ripple voltage. If you are going to test for it, do it when the engine is super hot and there is lots of extra electrical load as some faulty units only put out excessive when hot.
Often I find alternators full of dirt that I blow out with 150 psi of air, but be careful if the output post is live and uncovered.
My guess is something is dropping out under load when very hot, maybe it is not hot and still drops out?
Simon C
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
205
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
Simon, thanks for the serious reply, Im pretty new to computer controlled equipment so this is a big help. This change came along after an alternator failure, and it took 3 of them from the dealer to get one that worked.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,168
Location
Canada
Could the voltage regulator be set too low? I've read the Champion 8400 trans. was very sensitive to low volts. Maybe the Volvo engine control is too. Really sucks that Elvaan/Jade went under.
 

Simon C

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Messages
3,145
Location
Rocky Mountain House , AB., Canada
Occupation
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Simon, thanks for the serious reply, Im pretty new to computer controlled equipment so this is a big help. This change came along after an alternator failure, and it took 3 of them from the dealer to get one that worked.
I would check your Charge cable coming off the alternator in case it goes through some plug- in, which is possible. Is this a 12 volt or 24 volt system. I am guessing 24 volts but have never worked on one.
If you have any Cole Hershee Self resetting breakers on the unit they have to be load tested off the unit to find out if one is dropping out and then resetting itself.
I had an alternator that was giving me grief years ago that would drop out when hot and then was fine when tested cold. Company would not let me be at truck when it returned hot late every evening till one day I was on overtime doing another job and jumped on it hot and guess what, it was dead , not charging.
That was like three weeks of boosting evry morning figured out.
Simon C
 

Blue-Fox

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2022
Messages
205
Location
99611
Occupation
Oilfield Owner/Operator
Could the voltage regulator be set too low? I've read the Champion 8400 trans. was very sensitive to low volts. Maybe the Volvo engine control is too. Really sucks that Elvaan/Jade went under.
You are close, The first replacement alternator was a reman and was sent back for low volt output, indicated by the DIC panel code for low volts and "charge" alarm on the DIC....
 

Simon C

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Messages
3,145
Location
Rocky Mountain House , AB., Canada
Occupation
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
You are close, The first replacement alternator was a reman and was sent back for low volt output, indicated by the DIC panel code for low volts and "charge" alarm on the DIC....
You could of gotten a couple of dud alternators, but I would load test the cable from the output to the eventual Battery Positive ( sometimes via a connection at Starter Positive, or through some shunt somewhere up near control panel ) . Have seen quite a few that the dash was saying no charge or low charge that a clamp meter at alternator and Multimeter at Alternator proved otherwise.
We are not there and only assume that you have tested all correctly.
Went to a job yesterday with no start on Deere 200 excavator, that the batteries are all good and fuel pump problem. I decided I need to see the Batteries under the cover and right away Positive output cable full of green going into cable. Had to change all the cables. It was cranking before but weakly. Then still no start, no fuel at all in secondary filter and primary plugged. Installed 2 new filters and after pressurizing tank and bleeding filters it roared to life. Different situation than yours but same idea. He was pretty sure a fuel solenoid on pump problem. I have learned over the years to double check all that I have checked in case I missed something.
I don't know you at all so just in case you missed something that I could miss also how have you tested the Alternator circuit. Maybe we can help.
Simon C
 
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