How to Troubleshoot Codes for a Caterpillar C15
by Don Davis
Caterpillar C15s are six-cylinder, in-line, heavy-duty engines for fire engines, buses, trucks and heavy equipment. The engine has a displacement of 928 cubic inches, weighs 3,090 pounds, and generates up to 625 horsepower and 2,000 foot pounds of torque. The C15 is electronically controlled to meet federal pollution requirements. This electronic engine technology, called Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology, or ACERT, controls most engine functions with computer processors. This computer control also allows the engine to sense possible problems and report them to the operator using 19 two-digit “flash” codes.
Step 1
Learn to recognize and interpret flash codes when they appear. The diagnostic lamp is in the middle of the tachometer. Write down codes as they appear using a pencil and paper.
Step 2
Interpret flash codes as a two digit number portrayed by two series of flashes separated by a pause. Diagnostic code 27, for example, will appear to the operator as two flashes, followed by a pause and completed with seven flashes. Code “72” will be seven flashes, a pause, then two more flashes.
Step 3
Read flash codes “13” and “21” as fuel temperature sensor shorts. Flash code “24” indicates an oil pressure problem.
Step 4
Interpret flash codes “25” and “26” as atmospheric or turbo pressure problems. Code “27” indicates an engine coolant problem, and codes “28” and “32” alert the operator that the electronic control module is having a problem reading the throttle position.
Step 5
Recognize code “34” as a timing sensor problem, “37” as a fuel pressure problem, and “38” means there is something wrong with either the air intake manifold temperature or that sensor. Code “42” means your engine is out of tune and mistimed. Codes “53,” “56” and “58” mean that there is a problem with your electronic control module that may originate either with the module itself or how it was programmed.
Step 6
Pay particular attention to codes “72,” “73” and “74,” because they report cylinder injector failures and mean that you are running on only five cylinders instead of six.
References
Things You'll Need
- Pencil and paper
Writer Bio
Don Davis has been a professional writer since 1977. He has had numerous writing jobs, including writing news and features for the "Metrowest Daily News" and "Los Angeles Herald-Examiner." Davis has a Bachelor of Arts in English and history from Indiana State University.
