Controller displays E-17, no engine crank when start is commanded
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Disable automatic start and disconnect the battery negative before working on the starter circuit.
- Listen for click: When a start is commanded (with battery connected), listen for a click at the starter solenoid. No click suggests a control issue; a click with no crank suggests a starter motor issue.
- Inspect starter wiring: Check the heavy battery cable and ground strap at the starter for tightness and corrosion. Clean and tighten as needed.
- Check crank relay: Locate the crank relay in the control panel. Inspect for heat damage. Swap with an identical relay (if available) to test.
- Test solenoid voltage: With a helper commanding start, measure voltage at the solenoid control terminal. If no voltage, suspect relay or controller; if voltage present but no crank, suspect solenoid or starter.
- Neutral safety / interlocks: Verify that any neutral safety or gear position inputs are in the correct state per the wiring diagram.
Starter motor or solenoid replacement is typically straightforward but should follow CAT procedures. If the controller is not sending a crank signal, a technician should evaluate it.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.