Hi All, please help me troubleshoot this machine if you can. Summary: Everything works normally except lift/tilt controls which do not engage at all. There is a flashing yellow triangle. Starts, idles/revs normally. Alternator 14.5V Parking bake disengages normally. Hydraulic lockout disables hydraulics normally. Drives (left stick), aux function (right stick thumb) works. ISSUE: Lift/Tilt (right stick) does not engage at all. No change in sound from engine/pump. Yellow triangle (!) light flashes without sound as soon as machine is started. Parking brake and hydraulic lockout lights go OFF normally. Cab has door installed, door sensor has been defeated with electrical tape (prior to my ownership). The machine worked 2 months ago, but needed a jump when I came back to it this week. ~70 degree weather, hydraulic oil level normal. CAT 287C 1400 hours Thanks, Matt
Machine Serial Number plus a photo of the panel in the upper RH corner of the cab please.
I'm reading the serial number as CAT0287CCMAS00722 through the scratch.
It's all right. Only need the last 8 characters and they are perfectly visible. So you are in luck. You have a dash panel that allows you to access Diagnostic Codes. For the moment we only need to be concerned with anything that is Active. Here is the procedure:- 1. Turn the key ON but do not start the engine. Allow all the electronic panels to perform their self test. 2. There are three buttons below the two gauges. Press and hold the two outer for 3 seconds, then release. 3. The panel should now be in Service Mode 1 which shows Active Diagnostic Codes. 4. If nothing is Active the screen will be blank with a small "book" icon in one top corner. However I am expecting something to show up. 5. If a Code shows on the screen write it down then press the centre button once and release it. That will scroll to the next Code on the list. Continue with that process until you return to the first Code that appeared. 6. To put the panel back into Operation Mode press and hold the two outer buttons for 3 seconds then release them. In the event that the Service Mode screen is blank (see Step 4 above) do not move any controls but try starting the engine while the panel is still in Service Mode and see what pops up. Report back with your results.
Codes read out as you described. 2475-3, 2477-3 Based a similar thread, see below, I guess it's the right joystick position sensors. This explains why the aux works but not the lift/tilt. Please confirm or correct my thinking. I can follow the procedures linked in the below thread, otherwise I would appreciate any pointers or material you suggest. Thanks. HeavyEquipmentForums
That is correct, but in his case it was both of the LH joystick position sensors, in your case it is the RH ones. See below. You will also require an electrical schematic. Check your messages. TBH it seems strange to have both sensors go out at the same time. My suspicion would fall on the common power or the common ground being the root cause of the problem, although like the other guy there is the possibility of it being something bad inside the joystick base. NOTE: If the problem does turn out to be the joystick it is possible to buy the base separately, you don't have to buy the whole assembly for more $$$$.
Some progress: I have measured 12.2V from POWER to GROUND (127 to 203) with the joystick connected and key ON as described in Test Step 1. Result: OK. The next steps, 2 and 3, involve checking for open or short in the signal wires. As you mentioned above, the individual signal wires are less likely to be the cause because both codes appeared simultaneously. Step 4 tests the joystick itself, but I don't have a simple way to measure duty cycle. I'm currently considering: 1) Tilt cab to get to connectors for signal wire tests. 2) Swap left and right joysticks to see if the codes "follow" the RH one. I understand this may not be that simple as the thumb buttons have different configurations. If it is that simple, it seems like a better use of time. Obviously, I am also open to an even better option 3). Thank you, Nige, for the documents and your advice.
To the best of my recollection you can measure the duty cycle of the joystick position sensors using one of the other Service modes and see the result on the LCD screen. I’ll have to look up which one it is. Can’t remember which off the top of my head.
Good clue. I was able to measure the duty cycle using the LCD as follows: 0) Key ON, engine off. 1) Enter service mode (left and right buttons under LCE for 3 seconds) 2) "Page Cycle" rightmost button 5 times (page 6) 3) Down arrow to variables 2 - 6. Variables 2 and 3 are for the left joystick, 4 and 5 are for the right. Results: 2 and 3 are at 0 %, ranging from -80 to +80 as the stick is moved. 4 and 5 are pinned at 100 % regardless of stick position. This would seem to confirm that the joystick (base) is bad. I will likely replace with this if there are no other quick and dirty fixes. https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/456-0166 Looking at about $600.
Unfortunately there are none. 456-0166 is the correct Part Number. There is also a Reman Part Number of 20R8912 if you buy the part from Cat. It ought to be somewhat cheaper than $600 and they take your old base in part-ex.
To wrap the thread up, the 456-0166 RH Joystick Base was ordered and installed without issue. This cleared the codes immediately and restored full functionality. The most difficult part was getting the zip ties in the armrests back in the right places for the cable management. Thank you, Nige, for the advice and documentation.
I'm only sorry that it was an expensive fix relatively-speaking. However at least you didn't have to go throwing parts at it hoping something would fix it.