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Home / Wheel Loaders / John Deere Wheel Loaders / John Deere 344L

John Deere 344L Troubleshooting

The John Deere 344L wheel loader is powered by 276 cu.in (4.5L) John Deere 4045T 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 103 hp (76 kW) at 2000 rpm. The John Deere 344L is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission, power steering system, hydraulic wet disc brakes, and 17.5R25 standard tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 30.3 gpm (115 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3480 psi (240 bar). The wheel loader has a rated operating capacity of 5730 lbs (2600 kg) and tipping load of 11460 lbs (5200 kg). The maximum lift height is 146.4" (3720 mm) to hinge pin, and bucket breakout force is 13265 lbs (6030 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or will not start
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Dirty fuel filter - Filter maintenance required.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Valve clearance is wrong - Check and adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.

Engine starts but stalls suddenly
Air filter is clogged - Clean or replace element.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Change filter element.
Fuel injection pump leakage - Check the fuel injection pump for leaks and fix it.
Dirty or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Defective fuel injection pump - Change pump or rebuild it.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation
Engine is not fully warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter element clogging - Replace the filter element.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.

Engine stops when idling
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Normalize low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump failure - Replacement or repair required.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Incorrect valve clearance - Correct valve clearance.

Lack of engine power
Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Clogged or defective injection nozzles - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Adjust to correct pressure.
Improper valve clearance - Correct valve clearance.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Correct low idle settings.
Restricted fuel hoses or lines - Service fuel lines and hoses.
Cylinder head gasket is blown - Install a new gasket.
Damaged or leaking piston rings - Piston rings need to be replaced.

Engine overheated
Low coolant level - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Engine oil insufficient - Fill up the oil to required level.
Radiator fins are clogged or radiator cap is faulty - Replace cap or clean radiator.
Excessive wear of the fan belt - The fan belt needs to be replaced.
Engine overload - Load reducing required.

Oil pressure too low
Engine oil insufficient - Check and refill the oil.
Plugged engine oil filter - Clean or replace engine oil filter element.
Incorrect oil viscosity - Drain and refill with oil of correct grade and viscosity.
Excessive main bearing oil clearance - Change bearings.
Defective oil pump - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking
Insufficient engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Engine is not warmed up to required temperature - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Too low idle RPM - Adjust the low idle speed.
Clogged or defective injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Misaligned or faulty connecting rod - Replace or align connecting rod.
Broken or worn pistons - Have pistons replaced.

Hydrostatic Transmission Troubleshooting

Hydrostatic transmission makes excessive noise
Dirty transmission fluid or insufficient fluid level - Fill to required level or change the fluid.
Worn or unadjusted speed control linkage - Adjust or replace linkage.
Relief valve malfunction - Replace the valve.
Excessive transmission load - Reduce loading.
Worn or defective transmission components - Check internal transmission parts for damage or wear and replace if required.

Low power
Low oil level - Fill up the transmission oil.
Defective relief valve - Replace relief valve as required.
Speed control pedal linkage is damaged or out of adjustment - Change or adjust linkage.

Transmission oil overheated
Lack of transmission fluid - Fill the transmission housing to proper fluid level.
Dirty transmission oil filter element - Service or change transmission oil filter.
Damaged or clogged cooling components - Inspect all cooling components and service or replace if necessary.
Transmission overload - The load should be reduced.

Transmission oil leaks
Broken seals or gaskets - Install new components.
High internal transmission case pressure - Replace worn components.
Clogged oil return pipe - Clean or change return pipe.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats
Hydraulic pressure is not correct - Correct setting is required.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Set up or change the relief valve.
Hydraulic oil is dirty - Change hydraulic oil.
Lack of hydraulic fluid - Need to add fluid.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Lift arm won't raise or lower
Lift controls are defective - Repair or change.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Install a new boom cylinder or repair it.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Add fluid as required.

Bucket is not working
Bucket controls failure - Repair or replace.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder not working - Change or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.

Slow bucket or lift arm action
Hydraulic pump is defective - Flow-rate hydraulic pump and replace pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Repair or set properly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Set pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom is working jerkily
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Hydraulic oil filter clogging - Clean or install new filter.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace defective component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise
Leaking hydraulic system or insufficient oil level - Correct hydraulic leaks or top up oil as needed.
Hydraulic filter is dirty - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Suction line is clogged - Clean suction line as required.
Air enters the pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Pump parts are faulty - Rebuild or change hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge
Wiring connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean connections.
Defective electrical terminal connectors - Install new terminal connectors.
Battery is defective - Use a new battery.
Worn or loose belt - Need to adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turns slow
Low battery power - Battery needs to be recharged.
Battery drains quickly - Service charging system or replace battery.
Bad terminals or disconnected battery cables - Connect wires correctly or change terminals.

Starter motor is not working
Battery is discharged or defective - Replace or charge as required.
Wiring is improperly connected or disconnected - Check wiring and connect properly.
Battery capacity is low - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Faulty starter motor - Starter should be changed.

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WHEEL LOADERS SPECIFICATIONS

Wheel Loaders, Skid Steers, and Compact Track Loaders