Code 12-23 PWM Aux Error Code

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owensge

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Oct 17, 2003
Messages
326
Okay, need some advice on an issue with code 12-23 which began flashing at startup. When I put the sticks forward (I actually think it's the left) I get some beeps and the tracks lock up. I can re-engage and get the tracks moving, but I have to do it slowly or I'll get a shutoff condition again.. As long as I'm creeping forward and moving slowly, I can roll forward, but if I try to open it up, beeps and no movement...
If I shutdown and startup again, I'll get the general warning light along with the 12-23 Code which the manual connects to PWM.
Any help in the area is appreciated. Thx..
 

Tazza

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Dec 7, 2004
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16,829
This is where we need "thetool" AKA Shane's expertise! I know he has worked on these before, but hasn't been in here for a while.....
You could try sending him an e-mail?
 

andrcurrie

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Jun 11, 2009
Messages
14
If you still need some help give me your serial number and I will give you the troubleshooting chart for it.
 

ROGOCER

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Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
5
Hello, I have an S185 that gave me the same error that you described in the skidsteerforum. This was the only place that I found some thing related. I wonder if you found out what it means and if you solve it. PWM means...? I will fully apreciate any help you can give me. I´m from Costa Rica and not even the bobcat dealer here knows what it means Thanks a lot,
 

Tazza

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Hello, I have an S185 that gave me the same error that you described in the skidsteerforum. This was the only place that I found some thing related. I wonder if you found out what it means and if you solve it. PWM means...? I will fully apreciate any help you can give me. I´m from Costa Rica and not even the bobcat dealer here knows what it means Thanks a lot,
PWM as far as i'm aware of is pulse width modulation. The computer esentially controlls electricial pulses to the coils to alter the strength of the magnetic field to vary the amount the spool moves inside the stem. If you have proportional aux hydraulics (which i'm pretty sure your machine would) they control it via PWM instead of the older ones that were either fully on or off.
Being a later model machine it could be the switch which is essentially a vairable resistor instead of an of and off switch. These can and do go bad. Then you have your coils on the control block. If any of these fail, it could give you an error code. Even the wires between.
The coils aren't that expensive, around the $40 mark, so throwing one at it isn't too painful. The control switch on the other hand, i'm guessing you have to buy the entire hand grip, or at least a good section of it that is no doubt expensive, there is a limit to how many things you can try throwing at it.
Owensge - have you managed to fix it at all?
 

siduramaxde

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
362
PWM as far as i'm aware of is pulse width modulation. The computer esentially controlls electricial pulses to the coils to alter the strength of the magnetic field to vary the amount the spool moves inside the stem. If you have proportional aux hydraulics (which i'm pretty sure your machine would) they control it via PWM instead of the older ones that were either fully on or off.
Being a later model machine it could be the switch which is essentially a vairable resistor instead of an of and off switch. These can and do go bad. Then you have your coils on the control block. If any of these fail, it could give you an error code. Even the wires between.
The coils aren't that expensive, around the $40 mark, so throwing one at it isn't too painful. The control switch on the other hand, i'm guessing you have to buy the entire hand grip, or at least a good section of it that is no doubt expensive, there is a limit to how many things you can try throwing at it.
Owensge - have you managed to fix it at all?
Tazza, that was a very good explanation. All the electronic stuff on these loaders is nice....when it is working. When it's not working you basically need a computer scientist to fix it.
 
OP
OP
owensge

owensge

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Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Messages
326
Tazza, that was a very good explanation. All the electronic stuff on these loaders is nice....when it is working. When it's not working you basically need a computer scientist to fix it.
Okay after multiple codes and trying to troubleshoot it myself, I came to the conclusion that it was the (gulp) computer controller itself! I couldn't spend anymore time on it so I had a bobcat mechanic come out and replace it. The first one he brought was no good. The second one fixed all of my issues and the machine is running fine now. The mechanic told me that he hadn't replaced a controller in 5 years, but in the last couple of weeks, he replaced four of them. Interesting....
What do you guys think about an area on the site to list codes?
 

skidsteer.ca

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
3,853
Okay after multiple codes and trying to troubleshoot it myself, I came to the conclusion that it was the (gulp) computer controller itself! I couldn't spend anymore time on it so I had a bobcat mechanic come out and replace it. The first one he brought was no good. The second one fixed all of my issues and the machine is running fine now. The mechanic told me that he hadn't replaced a controller in 5 years, but in the last couple of weeks, he replaced four of them. Interesting....
What do you guys think about an area on the site to list codes?
Good idea but needs to be sorted by brands obviously
Ken
 

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