1996 873 with duetz keeps killing

OldMachinist said:

Does it have the BOSS option(right side LCD instrument panel)? If its a BOSS machine and one of the sensors is shutting it down there will be a defect code showing why.
If its not a BOSS machine then none of the sensors can shut it down. I'd suspect a cracked fuel pick up line in the tank. You try connecting a separate jug of diesel and see if it will stay running. This can be just a clean 2 liter soda bottle of fuel with a new line connected to the fuel filter inlet port.

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[email protected] said:

yeah i'd say almost definitely fuel pickup tube

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slewpumper said:

Guys thanks for the reply back.....I will try running the machine with separate fuel jug. If it would be the fuel pickup tube is that a big job to replace? Still wondering why the gas gage stops at 3/4 tank now....suspect something dislodge in the tank. This bobcat does not have the boss setup I don't believe...just a few sensor lights that are behind the right side of the seats.

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OldMachinist said:

Fuel tank is under engine/pump assembly. Getting to the area where the fuel pick up line goes into the top of the tank is a pain. You really can't see what you're doing to replace the line unless you remove the engine/pump assembly so it's a by feel job. Some people have just left the old line in there, drilled a new hole in a place they can get to and installed the pick up there.
Here are a couple of other threads dealing with the same problem.
http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=52297
http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=26365
If you want repair the fuel sending unit the engine has to come out.

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Bobcatdan said:

I would check wiring to fuel shut off solenoid. Could be the solenoid itself, but those usely just die. If it was a fuel pick up, once it dies, it won't restart until you fill the tank back up.

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OldMachinist said:

I had a problem a couple of years ago where mine would die every once in a while. It would restart after some cranking and run good for weeks without a problem. Drove me nuts trying to figure it out until the line finally broke off completely. I assume the line had a small crack and would suck air when it moved just right.

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Tazza said:

The only other thing that comes to mind is the fuel shut off solenoid. If or the timer is faulty it can shut down as the coil lets go.
As you said it starts back up straight away some times leads me to feel that it could be this more than air in the fuel line due to a crack.
How does it stop? does it run then all of a sudden die or does it slow when stall?
A sudden stop is more likely a shut off solenoid, a slow shutdown is more often than not a fuel line issue.

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slewpumper said:

Yes the machines dies right away..no chugging or missing. Yesterday it killed on me and I couldn't get it started..I put about 4 gallons of diesel in it to top it off and made sure the fuel line had no air in it. Got back in and still no go. I rapped on the relay for the fuel shutoff solenoid and it then started right up and ran for 2 hours with no problems. Could this really be the problem? Seems kind odd that sometimes it would work and sometimes not. Thanks for your input because I know very little about skidloaders.

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antfarmer2 said:

Sounds like you found it I would try cleaning all connections including fuses clean and oil solenoid if still no go replace

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antfarmer2 said:

If you have two relays that are the same I would try swapping them

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slewpumper said:

This is a 1996 873 so there is not relay for the solenoid on the fuse block....instead it looks like it is wired in just before solenoid...I have no other relay like that to swap with.

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