When an excavator will not start

The engine cranks and will not fire, or the key does nothing. A long crank, a single click, or a start that dies after a few seconds is what shows up, often on a cold morning. The battery, the seat or lever safety switch, fuel, and any code on the screen are checked on site. The fault is sorted at the machine.

A no-start falls into two groups: the engine cranks and does not fire, or the key does nothing. Cold weather, a seat or lever safety switch, a battery disconnect and a code on the screen are the first things worth checking.

Long cranking overheats the starter. A photo of any code, and a note of whether a block heater was plugged in, is more useful than another attempt.

What you might be seeing

• The engine cranks, but it will not fire.
• One click, or no response at all when the key is turned.
• The engine starts, then dies after a few seconds.
• A code on the screen, or a fault that shows up only on a cold morning.

Before a visit

• Check the obvious items first: battery disconnect, fuel level, and the seat or lever safety switch.
• Do not keep cranking. Rest the starter between attempts.
• On a cold morning, note whether the machine has a block heater and whether it was plugged in.
• Write down any codes on the screen. A photo is enough.
• Have access details ready: gate code, logging-road km marker, and whether chains are required.

When to call

Book a visit when the machine will not start and the job is stopped. The rate and travel are confirmed before the trip.

A DEF, DPF or SCR derate is a different fault, and the tests for it need software this truck does not carry. If the temperature was already high, see overheating.