Peterbilt 387 Cat C15 Engine Jake Brake Problem only one solenoid is working

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by sandafleet, Apr 9, 2014.

  1. sandafleet

    sandafleet Bobtail Member

    30
    5
    Oct 3, 2013
    Belton, SC
    0
    Hi, I have a Peterbilt 387 with a C15 500HP single turbo.. and the jake brake worked but it was very weak.. then it stopped working period. I took off the valve covers, checked the wiring and put a new tune up kit into the brake. When the engine is started and I press down on the solenoid button, only the middle solenoid works. So I bought two new solenoids but still only the middle works.. I have searched thru connectors, wiring, and just can't find an issue.. When I rev it up and let go, sometimes the brake works, sometime it don't.. its just got a mind of its own although the outer ones still don't work.. Please help guys..
    03 Pete 387
    Cat C15 500HP
    Jake Model 340D

    UPDATE: I installed new wiring and it still doesn't change anything.. I traced the wiring and found that the wiring running from the brakes to the ECM is fine, now there is three wires that run from the brakes (reddish-orange, brown, black) and go into the ECM.. when i check the wiring running out of the ECM and go into the plug that goes into the cab wall..its as if the three wires multiplied into ten or more wires..in other words the three wires give off power to wires that don't even belong to jake brake.. and also when the ECM is all connected, and I put a tester that beeps to the end of the jake wire and one end on a ground point, it beeps positive.. in other words my ECM is mixing positive or hot wires with ground..is that possible for the ECM to go bad like that?
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2014
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  3. morehp

    morehp Medium Load Member

    699
    206
    Jun 18, 2012
    0
    If you press down the solenoid button and nothing works, it sounds like you have a problem with the jake housing itself. Did you put a full spring/seal kit in them ? Could be an oil supply problem to the housing through the bolt. When you pushed the button manually did oil flow from the housing ?
     
  4. Duudeman

    Duudeman Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Apr 10, 2014
    0
    Intermitent problem with jakes often the clutch pedal switch. When jakes don't work at all check to see if cruise control is also inoperative. Also cat has inside jake/injector harness issues.(the harness inside valve covers)
     
  5. sandafleet

    sandafleet Bobtail Member

    30
    5
    Oct 3, 2013
    Belton, SC
    0
    No, when I press down not the button, it 'does' work.. it doesn't work from the wiring itself.. Although I installed new wiring and it still doesn't change anything.. I traced the wiring and found that the wiring running from the brakes to the ECM is fine, now there is three wires that run from the brakes (reddish-orange, brown, black) and go into the ECM.. when i check the wiring running out of the ECM and go into the plug that goes into the cab wall..its as if the three wires multiplied into ten or more wires.. in other words the three wires get the same current on wires that don't even belong to jake brake.. and also when the ECM is all connected, and I put a tester that beeps to the end of the jake wire and one end on a ground point, it beeps positive.. in other words my ECM is mixing positive or hot wires with ground..is that possible for the ECM to go bad like that?
     
  6. sandafleet

    sandafleet Bobtail Member

    30
    5
    Oct 3, 2013
    Belton, SC
    0
    Changed the wiring today and the clutch pedal works as I am getting power to the middle solenoid and also if I throw a wire from the middle to the other solenoids..
     
  7. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

    12,209
    100,734
    Jan 30, 2010
    keep stroking.
    0
    unplug the hot wires from all three solenoids and run a hot wire from the batteries or alternator. and activate each solenoid with the hot wire at idle to see if they activate. you will be able to tell if you have a weak solenoid from the sound of them.
     
  8. domv505

    domv505 Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Feb 18, 2022
    0
    I’m having the same issue. Did you ever figure out the problem?
     
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