Cat 232 Temperature light

[accurate machinery]

One of my customers has a Cat 232 skid steer, after about 20 minutes the engine temperature light comes on dimly, not full bright on. He has no other signs of trouble, antifreeze level is up, no signs of radiator being clogged or dirty, and the machine is running fine not appearing to be hot. The machine has about 600 hours and has been trouble free. I suspect a bad sensor, but any shortcuts would be greatly appreciated if I can help him out, his machine is deep in the sticks and a trip to the Cat dealer is a big hassle for him. Thanks!

[cat1]

I had the same problem with my Cat 226, with around the same hrs. Called dealer, they told me the temp senor on engine goes bad. I replaced the sensor takes about 5 min. never a problem since.

[topsites]

Omg one little blinky blinky, that's it?
Y'all should see the array of red light displays in my vehicles, after you see that
there wouldn't be no puny half-dim temp light capable of bothering you.

Hell yeah, come on over, I'll show you red dash lights!

But I did have one that bugged me to no end, so I just unplugged the light bulb, problem solved LOL
And if that's not feasible, sometimes unhooking a wire on the sensor side fixes it.
Or just politely ignore it, evidently it doesn't need fixing right away, plus that's the easiest way in terms of actual work.

It's to the point, I am almost grateful when something craps out on a machine yet it keeps running as if nothing.

Don't get me wrong, you do need to check into this as soon as you get a chance,
but until that time when it becomes economically feasible there's just not a whole lot to do.

[accurate machinery]

Man, I say try to tackle the early warning signs before it becomes more expensive. I will have to admit from my wrench turning days that an intermittent electrical problem could drive me nuts, wishing that a failure would hang around long enough to fix. In the case of this Cat, I didn't know if Cat had a system that might turn a light on dimly and it would get brighter as the engine got hotter. From talking to a few guys that have been there and done that, it sounds like the sensors have had a history of this problem, like Cat1. Thanks for your input!

[CarterKraft]

it's probably the sender. they are somewhat known to fail after some hours. they get corroded on the inside and pass enough current to dimly light the LED in the warning lamp gp. if you unplug it while it's dim and the light goes off you found the problem.

[AJ1]

Thanks for the replies. Actually, it is my machine (A cat 232 with 934 hours now) that accurate machinery is describing. He sold it to me and is being an awesome guy by trying to help me out with this problem.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I am assuming (I am definitely not a heavy machinery repair guy, but a land owner who loves running a skid steer with a grapple on it) that a "sender" is supposed to be a sensor. Right?

Here is the other question... Where is the sensor and how do I find out how to change it. I can get the part from Alban cat but will they tell me how to change it? I doubt it. I have the owners manual but it directions are vague at best. This is what they told me about the light, " if it goes on, turn off machine and investigate cause. " Wow that was informative.

So any more info would be very appreciated.

Thanks

[CarterKraft]

yes the sender/ sensor debat goes on. on the SLL and MTL machines are just switches that indicate problems, IE dummy light.

I have enclosed a picture of the early style switch and connector, if your harness has the 2 pin deutsch connector not the "bail" style then either reply or call your dealer for the correct part number, either way the location is the same, front of engine (rear of engine in tractor) RH side below the valve cover and behind the water pump.

[AJ1]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the information. It was right on. I has taken me this long to get away from the "real job" to get out and play with my toy. But after 5 minutes I found the sensor and removed it, replaced with the new one. No more warning light!
:)

Thanks again!