CAT 3176 died and won't start

greentractorguy · Apr 16, 2022

I have a Cat 3176 that was idling and warming up when it sputtered a bit and then came back up to idle for a second and then died and will not restart. The engine had a new ECM put on in December and was running normal until it died. The engine is in a 1990 White/GMC small semi truck. The engine serial number is a 2YG.

caterpillar guy · Apr 16, 2022

Start with fuel in the tank then filters. After that see if the primer pump witll pull fuel from tank through system to pump. Then with fuel in pump move to line to injectors in head. Pump hand primer till to had to pump and tighten when in. Try starting. If no joy might be in ECM.

jhwis · Apr 16, 2022

Sounds like out of fuel to me.

used red MN · Apr 16, 2022

Knowing why the ECM was installed may be a helpful piece of information, may be related and maybe not. I do agree with others about it sounding as a lack of fuel problem. What has been the usage of it prior to this happening. Used it yesterday or first time out of the shed this year?

Jo Bird · Apr 16, 2022

You probably need a good diesel engine mechanic with the proper engine diagnostic tools. That's the short answer, but most will disagree, So, moving on I suggest you watch the attached video, the guy is a Cat mechanic and explains in laymen s terms how to trouble shoot a cat engine no start issue : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAsq9X_ytrs

showcrop · Apr 16, 2022

2X what Cat guy said.

greentractorguy · Apr 16, 2022

Thank you for the replies. I went to the truck and used the hand primer and it got hard to push. I could hear the fuel returning to the tank even. There's about a half of a tank of fuel. The ECM was bad when I got the truck and the previous owners didn't want to spend the money to fix it. I have been using the truck about once or twice a week most of the winter. I had used it the day before for a few hours. Talked to several local truck shops and none want to make a service call and the Cat dealer is $205/ hour so I thought I would post here before making that call. Thanks again!

Check Break · Apr 16, 2022

(quoted from post at 11:02:49 04/16/22) Thank you for the replies. I went to the truck and used the hand primer and it got hard to push. I could hear the fuel returning to the tank even. There's about a half of a tank of fuel. The ECM was bad when I got the truck and the previous owners didn't want to spend the money to fix it. I have been using the truck about once or twice a week most of the winter. I had used it the day before for a few hours. Talked to several local truck shops and none want to make a service call and the Cat dealer is $205/ hour so I thought I would post here before making that call. Thanks again!

Did you try starting it again. If she won't start with a new fuel filter while you're pumping the priming pump, you can move to electrical.

mkuhns · Apr 16, 2022

Does the check engine light come on when the key is turned on for a few seconds? If not, ECM is dead. Most likely a power or ground issue.

CAT 3176 died and won't start

greentractorguy

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caterpillar guy

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jhwis

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used red MN

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Jo Bird

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showcrop

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greentractorguy

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Check Break

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mkuhns

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