Service Information System Page 1 of 8

Troubleshooting
G3520C and G3520E Generator Set Engines
Media Number -RENR5979-11 Publication Date -01/08/2012 Date Updated -30/08/2012

i02582624

Detonation Occurrence
SMCS - 1223-035; 1559-035

Use this procedure in order to troubleshoot if any of the following event codes are active or
logged.

Table 1
Event Code
Description Conditions which Activate the Code System Response
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E401 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#1 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E401 (3) Cylinder
#1 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E421 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#1 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E402 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#2 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E402 (3) Cylinder
#2 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E422 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#2 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E403 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#3 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
The level of detonation has exceeded the trip The shutdown output is
point for engine shutdown. Maximum activated. The code is

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 2 of 8

E403 (3) Cylinder

#3 Detonation
Shutdown retardation of the timing was unable to
logged. The engine is shut
control the detonation adequately during the
E423 (3) Cylinder number of ignition sparks that are allowed. down.
#3 Detonation
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E404 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#4 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E404 (3) Cylinder
#4 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E424 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#4 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E405 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#5 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E405 (3) Cylinder
#5 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E425 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#5 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E406 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#6 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E406 (3) Cylinder
#6 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E426 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#6 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E407 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#7 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 3 of 8

E407 (3) Cylinder

#7 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E427 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#7 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E408 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#8 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E408 (3) Cylinder
#8 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E428 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#8 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E409 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#9 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E409 (3) Cylinder
#9 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E429 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#9 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E410 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#10 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E410 (3) Cylinder
#10 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E430 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#10 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E411 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#11 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 4 of 8

E411 (3) Cylinder

#11 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E431 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#11 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E412 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#12 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E412 (3) Cylinder
#12 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E432 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#12 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E413 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#13 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E413 (3) Cylinder
#13 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E433 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#13 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E414 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#14 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E414 (3) Cylinder
#14 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E434 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#14 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E415 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#15 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 5 of 8

E415 (3) Cylinder

#15 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E435 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#15 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E416 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#16 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E416 (3) Cylinder
#16 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E436 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#16 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E417 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#17 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E417 (3) Cylinder
#17 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E437 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#17 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E418 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#18 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E418 (3) Cylinder
#18 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E438 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#18 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E419 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#19 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 6 of 8

E419 (3) Cylinder

#19 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E439 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#19 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown
The alarm output is
activated. Engine timing is
E420 (1) Cylinder The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
retarded in order to reduce
#20 Detonation point.
detonation. The code is
logged.
E420 (3) Cylinder
#20 Detonation The level of detonation has exceeded the trip
The shutdown output is
Shutdown point for engine shutdown. Maximum
activated. The code is
retardation of the timing was unable to
E440 (3) Cylinder control the detonation adequately during the logged. The engine is shut
#20 Detonation down.
number of ignition sparks that are allowed.
Shutdown

Note: Refer to Troubleshooting, "Engine Monitoring System" for information on trip points and
delay times.

Probable Causes
• Excessive load

• Excessive inlet air pressure

• High inlet air temperature

• Incorrect air/fuel ratio

• Incorrect base timing

• Changes in the fuel quality

• The engine speed/timing sensor is not calibrated.

• Faulty circuit for the detonation sensor(s)

• Excessive deposits in the combustion chamber

Recommended Repairs
Excessive Load

Make sure that the load is not excessive. Reduce the load. If necessary, disengage the driven
equipment and test the engine.

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 7 of 8

Check the Inlet Air Pressure

The calculated engine load increases when the inlet air pressure increases. Measure the inlet air
pressure during engine operation with a load. For specific data on the engine, refer to the engine
Technical Marketing Information.

Check the Inlet Air Temperature

High inlet air temperature can cause detonation. Check the inlet air temperature. Look for the
following event codes:

• E025 (2) High Inlet Air Temperature Derate

• E026 (3) High Inlet Air Temperature Shutdown

• E027 (1) High Inlet Air Temperature Warning

• E368 (1) High Inlet Air Temperature Warning

• E368 (2) High Inlet Air Temperature Derate

• E368 (3) High Inlet Air Temperature Shutdown

Refer to Troubleshooting, "Inlet Air Temperature Is High".

Air/Fuel Ratio

An air/fuel mixture that is too rich will cause detonation. Verify that the exhaust emissions are
correct. Refer to Systems Operation/Testing and Adjusting, "Air/Fuel Ratio Control - Adjust".

A change in the fuel energy content will change the air/fuel ratio. Obtain a fuel analysis.

The fuel supply pressure must be adequate and stable.

Make sure that the fuel metering valve is operating correctly.

Check the Base Timing

Verify that the base timing is correct. Refer to Systems Operation/Testing and Adjusting, "Ignition
Timing - Adjust".

Check for Event Codes Regarding the Fuel

Check for the following event codes:

• E229 (1) Fuel Energy Content Set Too Low

• E230 (1) Fuel Energy Content Set Too High

• E231 (3) Fuel Quality Out of Range

Refer to Troubleshooting, "Fuel Energy Content Problem".

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018
Service Information System Page 8 of 8

Calibrate the Engine Speed/Timing Sensor

Note: Only perform this procedure if work on the engine may have affected the engine timing.
Also, perform this procedure if the engine speed/timing sensor has not been calibrated.

Refer to Troubleshooting, "Timing - Calibrate".

Check the Detonation Sensors

Troubleshoot the detonation sensors. Refer to Troubleshooting, "Detonation - Test".

Check for Deposits in the Cylinders

Overfilling of engine oil can lead to deposits. Make sure that the engine oil level is correct.

Note: Excessive deposits contribute to guttering of the valves.

Use a borescope to inspect the cylinders. Look for the following conditions:

• Deposits on the valve seats

• Deposits on the valve faces

• Deposits on the cylinder walls that are above the upper limit of the piston stroke

• Signs of internal leaks

Signs of internal leaks include excessive consumption of engine oil, blue smoke, and excessive
detonation.

If excessive deposits and/or signs of internal leaks are found, investigate the cause of the
condition. Make repairs, as needed.

Copyright 1993 - 2018 Caterpillar Inc. Mon Apr 09 2018 15:34:02 GMT+0430 (Iran Daylight Time)
All Rights Reserved.
Private Network For SIS Licensees.

https://127.0.0.1/sisweb/sisweb/techdoc/content.jsp?calledpage=/sisweb/sisweb/products... 4/9/2018