Top 3 Reasons for CAT ECM Failure

Caterpillar is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of diesel engines and construction and mining equipment. The company currently sells its products in 180 different countries and caters to over 27 different industries. So, if you own a mining or construction business, the probability of you owning a Caterpillar engine is fairly high.

As one of the leading suppliers of CAT engine components, we know how important it is for construction and mining businesses to keep their engines functioning at optimal performance.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) is perhaps the most important component of a Caterpillar engine. It’s essentially the computer that controls and regulates the different performance parameters of the engine and keeps it performing optimally. If the ECM fails, the engine won’t be able to run efficiently. In some cases, it may not run at all.

Over the course of this blog post, we’ll take a look at 3 of the most common causes of CAT ECM failure.

Irregular Current Supply

The ECM is an electrical component that needs a steady flow of current in order to perform optimally. A worn out battery or damaged wiring can cause voltage fluctuations, which can cause the ECM to short out. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the ECM is getting the right amount of voltage, at all times. You can check this by connecting a voltmeter to the wiring that runs into the ECM harness.

Moisture and Corrosion

The ECM housing has seals around it that keep dust and moisture from entering within. Over time, these seals can wear out or sustain damage. Worn out or damaged seals won’t be able to prevent moisture from entering the ECM housing.  This will lead to corrosion of sensitive ECM components and the wiring harness.

If the corrosion isn’t cleaned away quickly, it’ll cause damage to the sensitive computer chips and circuitry of the ECM. These can lead to the ECM malfunctioning or even complete ECM failure.

Physical Conditions

While Caterpillar is known for making some of the toughest machines on the planet, years and years of exposure to extreme weather conditions and heavy vibrations can take a toll on electrical components like the ECM.

The internal circuitry in an ECM is extremely delicate and can even leave a small dent to the external housing can cause significant damage to the circuit board.

Looking for Caterpillar replacement ECMs online? CATECM is one of the United States’ leading providers of Caterpillar ECM replacement, repairs and reprogramming services. We deliver all over the United States and all our engine parts come with a 1-year warrant. Get in touch with us to learn more.