ot/ western star tractor cat engine, cuts off

souNdguy

Well-known Member
Just got a call from work. Our western star tractor cut off at an intersection, driver said no sputter, just like cutting key off. Would not restart that instant, so driver put his triangles out and checked again. In the 2? Minutes of putting triangles out, it started up like normal.

Apparently it did tho once before, but the found primary filter with tank gunk in it.

I told them to pull filters again while I head out in a bit. This has a 6 cyl cat, maybe a 3406?

It foes have a 2 wire solenoid on back, presumably key off.

Anyone know if this I a constant on, when running, or a pulsed off at shutdown? ( or any other bizarre scheme ;) )

I'll head out and test it.. Maybee a wire shorting to hot? ( grasping there I know )

Grabbing meter and heading out, welcome all guesses.

If it I a pulsed off, ill need to locate the relay driving the solenoid.. And no wire diagram. ;)
 

Never worked on WS, mostly Petes and Fords.
What model Cat, mechanical or electronic, where's this solenoid located, battery box, firewall, engine?
 
like I said.. I think it is a 3406, and there is a solenoid right on the back of the injection pump.

I'm at the machine now. primary and secondary filters are perfectly clean and good fuel flow.

I'm thinking it has to be something in the fuel solenoid.
 

I once had a Pete, can't recall engine make, shut down due to low coolant. Sensor near bottom of expansion tank. Also had a 2013 Mack, don't know engine, derate, due to low coolant same sensor situation. They can both go again once coolant pushes into expansion tank due to shut-down.
 

Ok probably a 3406B mechanical or 3406C.
Good engines, I've worked with several.
The solenoid on the back off the pump is the fuel shut down, it's spring loaded and requires electrical power to pull it back for the engine to run. They are known for the internal coil to go bad over time and not hold the plunger back, thus shutting the engine down.
A new solenoid will most likely fix the problem.

I use to carry a old solenoid with me that I had cut the plunger rod off of, if the truck quit on me I'd pull the solenoid off and install the one I'd cut to prevent oil from leaking out of the pump, then I'd start the truck and drive it to a shop for repairs.
I'd have to choke to engine out with the clutch but at lease I wasn't broke down on the road somewhere waiting for a service truck.
 
Ok, cool, thanks.

Spring loaded off, solenoid energizes with key on to open fuel.

Gives me a direction to test power, and solenoid function. I'll get on that after lunch, thanks!
 

Most of the later models with electronic engine controls have that feature.
We did have a mechanical engine with a Kyser system on it that would shut the engine down for low oil pressure or high water temps, it had a toggle switch one had to hold down till oil pressure had built up or it wouldn't allow it to start.
 
we have some equipment with murphy switch gauges that are the same way.. hold till oil comes up.

I just got back to the job, and will take a look at that solenoid plunger.
 

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