5EK 3406E electrical help!!

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Marmon110P, Dec 24, 2023.

  1. Marmon110P

    Marmon110P Light Load Member

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    Feb 24, 2019
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    Hey fella's, Merry Christmas! I've got a very odd issue going on. I've had a code 21 for a few weeks and truck makes no power (up to about 18 psi of boost) and so I had it checked out at a shop (that I'm never going back to). They said harness, so I replaced with a new harness from Cat. Same problem, so went back n then they said ECM after some other diagnostics. I just spent $2000 on a new reman ECM and still same issue, but now I'm not getting a code 21, but all the sensor codes, well most anyways. Code 26, 27 n 38 are now showing up. What's next??? All these sensors can't just go bad at the same time can they??
     
    Vampire Thanks this.
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Were the parameters in the replacement ECM configured the same as the original? Either have to save the original configuration file with ET, then write it to the new ECM, or alternatively you can write them down and manually input them with ET.
     
    Big Road Skateboard and Vampire Thank this.
  4. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Opendeckin and Vampire Thank this.
  5. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    Why are you paying the shop when they didn't fix your problem?

    That code means the ECM isn't getting the 5 volts it needs on the reference circuit for your sensors. One of the sensors is going bad or you have a problem in the wiring somewhere. You can replace the entire engine harness yourself in just an hour or two for only a couple hundred dollars if you don't know how to track down the wiring issues.

    If that doesn't fix it then you have to figure out which sensor is the problem. None of them are expensive or hard to replace. This is another job you can do yourself without getting stolen from by the hack of a shop you went to.

    Next I recommend removing all your grounds then clean them until they're shining on the connectors as well as where they mount. Check the wires very carefully too. Sometimes they look good to the eye but they're corroded up inside the coating if they are really gray.
     
    FLHT, AModelCat, cke and 1 other person Thank this.
  6. Marmon110P

    Marmon110P Light Load Member

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    Feb 24, 2019
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    I said in.my OP that I had replaced the harness with a new one from Cat. All sensor plugs are dry. This all happened right after I did a head gasket. Did I possibly miss a ground somehow?? There are 2 that go on the stud on the head near the left rear, but not sure what else.
     
  7. Marmon110P

    Marmon110P Light Load Member

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    Feb 24, 2019
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    Yes, they took the data from the old ecm n put it into the new one. I'm thinking there was nothing wrong with the old ecm
     
    AModelCat Thanks this.
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