Intermittent Check Engine light.

[jeffprupis]

Our amber CHECK ENGINE light is coming on intermittently. After about a 150 miles the light will light up. In about 25-50 miles more it goes out. Engine oil is at proper level as is coolant. Transmission levels check out via keypad method. Any suggestions? We're camped remotely so no repair shops nearby. TIA. CAT C9 400HP

[Richard Davis]

Does your '05 Ventura have a Engine Diagnostics button on the panel to the left of the driver (my '06 does)?  If so, you can use it to display the flash codes from the ECM (described in the manual).  The last time mine was doing this, it turned out to be a failing oil pressure sending unit.  (The flash code was for intermittent low oil pressure.)  The dash gauge was reading correctly, so I was puzzled.  A little research made me realize that my Cat C-9 has 2 oil pressure sending units, one for the dash gauges and one for the ECM.  The one for the ECM was failing.  I replaced it, no more problems.  I hope your problem is this simple.

Richard

p.s. The problem was simple, BUT replacing that sending unit was NOT simple.  A lot of other stuff had to be moved out of the way just to get to it.     

[Dave Atherton]

Jeff , what you have for blink codes is called Caterpillar Messenger. There are many possible
Reasons check engine light will activate going down the road. I will maybe add a little thought
that will give you piece of mind on this problem. The light that comes and goes is what is called
an Event Code that comes and goes but telling something is happening but your not in trouble .
Event codes comes and goes is simple thing as loose wire connection, dirty connections , broken
wire and wire strand  touching groung tripping light. Fuel filter restrictions provide that fuel
filter is a Caterpillar 2 micron 1R-0751. Cold outside engine running and staying in cold mode
longer. Low. Coolant level sensor ( if equipped) sensor probe In and out of coolant, there are
many things that will trigger a check engine lamp but my suggestion dont change your travel plans
or both you and your wife worry about being broken down along roadside. Last your Caterpillar
engine has all built is safety shut down features that your not damaging your engine. Have
fun on your trip you are not in trouble. Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[jeffprupis]

As always Dave, THANK YOU so much.
Are you in residence in Quartzite?
Or will you be there late April 2019 or early May?
We'll be traveling through Quartzite and would love to meet and perhaps have you run some diagnostics on our C9.
Or will you be at Escapade in March?

Jeff,