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Strange C13 Engine Problems

Yahoo Message Number: 17930
C13 Owners,

I know Bob Stephens and others have the C13. I have had some strange problems with starting (stumbling, black/grey smoke) 3-4 occasions, CAT changed filters and software at two different dealers, no codes either time. Has run fine since, but no real root cause found.
Then this past weekend, stalled or cut out & refired 5 times up a 6% grade (really gets your attention). Had no way to drive back down the hill safely. Towed to CAT, again no codes. Starts and runs "OK", CAT is now trying to find the problem.
Seems to be an electrical problem, but fuel or air restrictions could show the same symptoms I would think.

Any others seen anything like this?

Ron

04 Intrigue, C13

Re: Strange C13 Engine Problems

Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 17934
I gad trouble with my C13 in a 06n Affinity 6550 that turned out to be loose battery connection and also loose connections at the starter. In fact had to be towed. Motoro would run but under load it died. Tightend the connections and no problem since.
John D. Drebick

Re: Strange C13 Engine Problems

Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 17935
John,

Thanks a bunch, that helps my confidence a bit. I just heard from Cat in Phoenix and they just had a tech drive it to Flagstaff and back in data log mode AFTER doing a full check and re-tightening of all electrical connections (Pos/Gnd).

So far I hear no problems.

Did they decide which one was loose or just tighten yours up?

Ron

04 Intrigue C13
11849

 

Re: Strange C13 Engine Problems

Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 17937
Ron, we have had no problems similar to yours. All of our electrical connections were checked and retightened last January when the chassis battery kept dieing. It would seem like you should get a code if the battery connection was bad as we had a number of low voltage codes in our engine from the chassis battery being low and the ECM detecting the low voltage. Maybe in your case the voltage was just going from all to nothing so the ECM didn't have enough juice to log the problem.

By the way, in case anyone cares, our jake brake problems have been solved. The problem was that we had the same braking power in all three brake positions - essentially 2 cylinders. We had CAT check the jake with their laptop and they said that the signal from the switch was not reaching the engine. We then took the coach to CC for our second warranty repair trip, told them what CAT found, and they verified that the signal was not reaching the engine. Upon further investigation they found that the wires were literally "crossed". Once they fixed that it works great. I also had CAT reprogram the jake brake from "Coast" mode in cruise to "Latch" mode and it works even better. With the cruise control "ON" but not necessarily "SET" and the jake switch on, if I hit the brakes the jake comes on and stays on until step on the throttle. Also, if I press the "CANCEL" button the jake comes on and stays on until I step on the throttle. Now I just run with the cruise and jake turned on and it works really well. I can also use the jake to take a 45MPH exit without ever touching the service brakes. I can't wait to get back up to WA and some 6% grades and see how it works.

Good luck on your problem Ron, I hope they fixed it.

Bob

'05 Intrigue LE #11872

Quote from: ron930cab

C13 Owners,

I know Bob Stephens and others have the C13. I have had some

strange

Quote
problems with starting (stumbling, black/grey smoke) 3-4 occasions,

CAT

Quote
changed filters and software at two different dealers, no codes

either

Quote
time. Has run fine since, but no real root cause found.

Then this past weekend, stalled or cut out & refired 5 times up a

6%

Quote
grade (really gets your attention). Had no way to drive back down

the

Quote
hill safely. Towed to CAT, again no codes. Starts and runs "OK",

CAT

Quote
is now trying to find the problem.

Seems to be an electrical problem, but fuel or air restrictions

could