Getting Started

Table of Contents

Introduction

2

PC, Communication Hardware, and Cable Requirements

3

Setting Up the Communication Adapter 3 5

Requirements 5

Configuring Cat Electronic Technician to use the Communication Adapter 3 8

SETTING UP THE WIRELESS CA3 (W-CA3) RADIO (OPTIONAL)

9

Requirements 9

Instructions 10

SETTING UP THE CAT COMMUNICATION ADAPTER II

13

Requirements 13

Setting Up the Cat Communication Adapter

18

Requirements 18

Instructions 19

Installing Cat Electronic Technician

20

Installing Cat Electronic Technician with WinPcap

25

Removing Cat Electronic Technician

28

Purpose 28

Licensing Cat Electronic Technician

29

Accessing 29

Steps to License Cat Electronic Technician 30

To license Cat Electronic Technician offline: 31

Transferring a License

31

Important 31

To deactivate the license in Offline mode 32

Trainer

33

Purpose 33

Instructions 33

What’s New

36

Troubleshooting Tips and Error Code Information

37

Tips for Common Issues 37

Installation Error 38

Selecting the Correct Port 38

Communication Errors 39

Cat Communication Adapter II Error Codes 40

Online Help

41

Readme File

42

Cat Electronic Technician Distribution Website

43

PC Software Support

44

Introduction

Cat® Electronic Technician (Cat ET) is a service tool designed to run on a personal computer (PC) under Microsoft Windows™.

All service tool documentation assumes the user has some Microsoft Windows experience. Users who do not have Microsoft Windows experience should take time to familiarize themselves with their supported version of Windows before installing the service tool.

The data and menus displayed in the illustrations of this manual may be different from those displayed by the service tool. This is because many different Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) are serviced with Cat Electronic Technician. Additionally, the appearance of Cat Electronic Technician varies between different versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems.

PC, Communication Hardware, and Cable Requirements

To run the service tool, the following PC, communication hardware, and cable requirements must be met.

NOTE: The minimum configuration requirements should not be used as a standard when buying new PCs for service tool purposes. If the existing equipment meets these minimum requirements, it will run the service tool.

PC Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• 2 GHz processor with multiple cores

• 2GB RAM

• 2GB of available hard disk drive

• Screen with 1366x768 or higher resolution

• Microsoft Windows™ 10 Home, Pro or Enterprise, or Microsoft Windows™ 11 Home or Pro

  Note: The Microsoft Surface Pro is supported.

• A pointing device, such as a mouse or touchpad, or touch screen

• Microsoft Edge v80 or newer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any Chromium based browser

• A method to install the software, such as a reliable internet connection, USB drive, DVD drive or CD drive

  
  

  Recommended Requirements

• 2.0 GHz processor with 4 cores

• 4GB RAM

• 5GB of available hard disk drive

• 15.4 inch screen with 1600x1200 or higher resolution

• Microsoft Windows™10 Home, Pro or Enterprise, or Microsoft Windows™ 11 Home or Pro

  Note: The Microsoft Surface Pro is supported.

• A pointing device, such as a mouse or touchpad, or touch screen

• Microsoft Edge v80 or newer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any Chromium based browser

• A method to install the software, such as a reliable internet connection, USB drive, DVD drive or CD drive

  
  

  Communication Adapter Requirements

• 9-pin RS232 serial port or USB-to-serial adapter (for use with Comm Adapter II and certain Product Link modules)

• USB 1.1, 2.0 or 3.0 port, (use with Comm Adapter 3)

• Ethernet RJ45 connector (for use with Ethernet service)

• Wi-Fi (for the Wireless Comm Adapter 3)

Note: If the entire screen is not visible, click the

maximize button to fill the screen.

Communication Hardware

Caterpillar offers several options for communication hardware. Communication Adapters are service tools consisting of a portable hardware adapter and a software PC program designed to run under Microsoft® Windows™. MPSI Pro-Link is a portable computer diagnostic analyzer. To service using Cat Electronic Technician, one of the following devices is required:

Cat Communication Adapter 3

For additional requirements, see “Setting up Cat Communication Adapter 3”.

• OR -

  Cat Communication Adapter II

  For additional requirements, see “Setting up Cat Communication Adapter II”.

• OR -

Cat Communication Adapter

For additional requirements, see “Setting up Cat Communication Adapter”.

Note: Engines that do not have the service connector may also require the 140-9442 ATA/CDL T-Adapter.

Note: For specific part number information, contact the Parts Department of your local dealership.

Exceptions

The requirements for Hydraulic Excavators B-Series (HEX) are the following:

Cable Assembly HEX to PC Adapter cable

In the Communications tab of the Preferences dialog box, select the “Communication Adapter” option

f rom the “Communication Interface Device” drop-down list. Then click the “Advanced” button. Select the “19200 baud rate” radio button. Click “OK”.

Note: For specific part number information, contact the Parts Department of your local dealership.

Setting Up the Communication Adapter 3

Requirements

538-5051 - Cat Communication Adapter 3 Group The following equipment is included in this group:

Description

Cat Communications Adapter 3

Data Link Cable

USB PC connector

Carrying Case

Block/Foam for carrying case

Communication Adapter 3 CD-ROM

Note: For specific part number information, contact the Parts Department of your local dealership.

Instructions

To connect the Communication Adapter 3, (“Comm Adapter 3”) to the PC, perform the following steps:

Step 1 Align and attach the DB25 connector end of the USB PC cable to the “PC cable” end connection on the Comm Adapter 3. Please note that, depending on the device, the label on this end of the Comm Adapter 3 could read either “PC cable” or “Computer”.

Step 2 Plug the USB Connector end of the PC cable into the USB port of the PC.

To connect the Comm Adapter 3 to the data link, perform the following steps:

Step 1 After connecting the Comm Adapter 3 to the PC, connect the DB15-style connector end of the data link cable to the “Data Link” connection on the Comm Adapter 3.

Step 2 Connect the other end of the data link cable to the service connector on the product.

The lights on the front of the Comm Adapter 3 will glow and then will sequentially turn off from the top (“Data Link” end) to the bottom (“Computer” end) of the device. The Power LED will turn color from orange to red, and then the blue "USB" LED will blink once. The CA3 will not be operational until this sequence has occurred. The sequence can take up to 10 seconds. The service tool is now ready to be started. Check the LED lights on the front of the device.

Note: The Power light on the Comm Adapter 3 will glow if the data link is powered (machine power is on) or if the USB connector is plugged into the PC.

Note: For more information on the Comm Adapter 3, please refer to the Caterpillar Communications Adapter 3 Tool Operating Manual.

Configuring Cat Electronic Technician to use the Communication Adapter 3

In order for Cat Electronic Technician to work with the Communication Adapter 3, the settings must be changed to select the Communication Adapter 3 as the Communication Interface Device:

Step 1 Start Cat Electronic Technician.

Step 2 Click the “Stop Connect” button when it appears. Step 3 Select the “Utilities” menu.

Step 4 Choose “Preferences > Modify...”. Step 5 Click the “Communications” tab.

Step 6 Select “Cat Comm Adapter 3 (RP1210)” and click “OK”.

Note: Because a growing number of products require multiple data link service, the “Enable Dual Datalink Service” checkbox has been pre-selected. Servicing ECMs on more than one data link requires this checkbox to be enabled. Failure to do this will result in undetected ECMs and reduced functionality.

Setting Up the Wireless CA3 (W-CA3) Radio (optional)

Requirements

317-7493 - Cat Wireless Communication Adapter 3 Radio The following equipment is included in this group:

Description

Cat Communications Adapter 3

Cat 802.11 Wireless Radio

Wireless Radio CA3 Cable

Wireless Communication Adapter 3 CD-ROM

Wireless Communication Adapter 3 User's Manual

Note: For specific part number information, contact the Parts Department of your local dealership.

Note: The WCA3 is not compatible with Windows 10 or later.

Instructions

To connect the Wireless CA3 Radio to the Comm Adapter 3, perform the following steps:

Step 1 Align and attach the round end of the Wireless CA3 Radio cable to the cable connection on the Wireless CA3 Radio.

Step 2 Connect the other end of the cable to the cable connection on the CA 3.

To connect the Communication Adapter 3 to the data link, perform the following steps:

Step 1 After connecting the Communication Adapter 3 to the Wireless CA3 Radio, connect one end of the data link cable to the data link connection on the CA 3.

Step 2 Connect the other end of the data link cable to the service connector on the product.

If the data link is powered (machine power is on), the Power light on the Communication Adapter 3 will glow and the diagnostic test will begin. The lights on the front of the Communication

Adapter 3 will sequentially glow from the top (“Data Link” end) to the bottom (“Computer” end) of

the device. The service tool is now ready to be started.

Note: For more information on the Wireless CA3 (W-CA3) Radio, please refer to the Wireless Radio for Communication Adapter 3 Manual.

Configuring Cat ET to use the Wireless CA3 Radio

In order for Electronic Technician to work with the Wireless CA3 Radio, the settings must be changed to select the Wireless Comm Adapter 3 as the Communication Interface Device:

Step 1 Start Cat Electronic Technician.

Step 2 Click the “Stop Connect” button when it appears. Step 3 Select the “Utilities” menu.

Step 4 Choose “Preferences > Modify...”. Step 5 Click the “Communications” tab.

Step 6 Select “Wireless Communication Adapter” and click “OK”.

Setting Up the Cat Communication Adapter II

Requirements

171-4400 - Cat Communication Adapter II Group

Note: The 171-4400 Cat Communication Adapter II may be used; however, it is no longer available for purchase from Caterpillar Inc.

Note: For specific part number information, contact the Parts Department of your local dealership.

The following equipment is included in this group:

Description

Cat Communication Adapter II

Data Link Cable (24 inch) This cable must be used for J1939/11 communications.

Serial PC Cable (25 foot)

Carrying Case

Block/Foam for carrying case

Communication Adapter II CD-ROM and User's Manual

Requirements:

Description

In-Cab Adapter Cable for ATA

In-Cab Adapter Cable for the J1939/11

Serial PC Cable (10 foot) This cable can only be used with the Cat Communication Adapter II

Parallel PC Cable (25 foot) IEEE 1284 (male to male connector) This cable is for PCs that do not have a serial port. This cable can only be used with the Cat Communication Adapter II

USB to Serial Adapter Kit (16 inches)

ATA/CDL Unicable from a Cat communication adapter to the service connector NOTE: The 7X1412 ATA or 7X1570 CDL cable may also be used. However, these are no longer available for purchase from Caterpillar Inc.

ATA/CDL T-Adapter (not required for all applications)

Cable Assembly used to connect the Service Tool directly to the ECM.

Main Harness

A3 and A4 E4 stub (requires Main Harness)

A4 E1 stub (requires Main Harness)

Optional Cables:

Instructions

To connect the Communication Adapter II to the PC, perform the following steps:

Step 1 Align and attach the DB25 connector end of the serial cable to the “PC Cable” end of the Comm Adapter II.

Step 2 Connect the other end (RS-232 end) of the serial cable to the communication port of the PC.

(Shown with optional USB to Serial Adapter)

To connect the Communication Adapter II to the data link, perform the following steps:

Step 1 After connecting the Comm Adapter II to the PC, connect the DB15-style connector end of the data link cable to the “Data Link” end of the Comm Adapter II.

Step 2 Connect the other end of the data link cable to the product. If the data link is powered (machine power is on), the Power light on the Comm Adapter II will glow and the diagnostic test will begin. The lights on the front of the Comm Adapter II will sequentially glow from the top (“Data Link” end) to the bottom (“Computer” end) of the device. The service tool is now ready to be started.

Note: For more information on installation procedures, consult the Communication Adapter II Users Manual.

Updating the Comm Adapter II Firmware to Serial IP

Note: Use the Comm Adapter II Toolkit version 4.0.12 or later to update the Comm Adapter II.

Note: Use the serial port only to upgrade the Communication Adapter II. Do not use the Parallel port.

Instructions

To update the Comm Adapter II Firmware, perform the following steps: Step 1 Make sure the Comm Adapter II is connected to the PC and the

Power light is on.

Step 2 Go to the Start menu on the PC. Choose “All Programs,” then click through the “Caterpillar Comm Adapters” program to the “Comm Adapter Toolkit” application.

Step 3 The Toolkit application will start up and display the Summary screen.

Step 4 Click the “Application Firmware Flash” icon

. Then click the “Select File” button. The “Select Firmware Flash File” dialog box is displayed.

Step 5 The following files should be listed on the right:

ca2vi2.apf – application firmware cav3i0.0 apf – application firmware ca2v3i1.0.apf – SIP application firmware

Step 6 Highlight the ca2v3i1.0.apf file and click the “OK” button. Step 7 Click the “Begin Flash” button to start the download.

Step 8 A dialog box showing the download progress will appear. The download should take less than 45 seconds.

Note: All protocol lights on the front of the Comm Adapter II will blink while the firmware is f lashed.

Step 9 When the download is complete, a dialog box will appear, allowing a return to the Toolkit Summary screen, a return to the Flash screen, or an Exit from the toolkit.

Step 10 Click the “Exit” button.

Configuring Cat Electronic Technician to use the Communication Adapter II

In order for Electronic Technician to work with the Communication Adapter II, the settings must be changed to select the Communication Adapter II as the Communication Interface Device:

Step 1 Start Cat Electronic Technician.

Step 2 Click the “Stop Connect” button when it appears. Step 3 Select the “Utilities” menu.

Step 4 Choose “Preferences > Modify...”. Step 5 Click the “Communications” tab.

Step 6 Change the Communication Interface Device to “Caterpillar Comm Adapter II (Dual Data Link/Serial IP)” and click “OK”.

Step 7 Select the appropriate COM port (for example, “COM1”, “COM2”, etc).

This application firmware only supports serial communications.

Setting Up the Cat Communication Adapter

Requirements

7X1700 - Cat Communication Adapter Gro up

Note: The 7X1701 Cat Communication Adapter may be used; however, it is no longer available for purchase from Caterpillar Inc.

Note: The 7X1701 Cat Communication Adapter does not support the J1939 data link.

Other Requirements:

Note: For specific part number information, contact the Parts Department of your local dealership.

Description

Communication Adapter Software SPM (Service Program Module) Version 1.2 or greater

RS232 Serial PC Cable This cable can only be used with the Cat Communication Adapter 7X1701

ATA/CDL Unicable from a Cat communication adapter to the service connector Note: The 7X1412 ATA or 7X1570 CDL cable may also be used. However, these are no longer available for purchase from Caterpillar Inc.

ATA/CDL T-Adapter (not required for all applications)

Cable Assembly used to connect the service tool directly to the ECM

Instructions

To connect the Communication Adapter (Comm Adapter) to the PC, perform the following steps:

Step 1 Connect the 7X-1425 RS232 cable to an available Serial Port on the PC and to the Service Tool connector on the Communication Adapter.

Step 2 Connect the 139-4166 Unicable to the control connector on the Communication Adapter and to the service connector on the product being serviced. The service tool is now ready to be started.

Installing Cat Electronic Technician

Purpose

The installation procedure described below is for Cat Electronic Technician. The installation program is designed to run under Microsoft Windows. The installation requires one (1) Install CD-ROM or go to the Dealer.cat.com/catet to download the latest version. This process will upgrade the current service tool and preserve files previously created in the service tool, such as defined Status Groups or service tool report documents.

NOTE: While the installation will run f rom a server or over a network, the service tool will not. NOTE: To install the service tool administrative rights on the computer system are required. Instructions

Perform the following steps to install Cat Electronic Technician from the Install CD-ROM:

Step 1 Close any open applications, including any connections to mainframe computers or networks.

Only Windows should be running.

Step 2 Insert the Cat Electronic Technician Install CD-ROM into the computer’s CD-ROM drive.

Step 3 Click the “Start” button on the Task Bar. From the menu, select “Run”. The Run dialog box is displayed:

Step 4 Type z:\setup.exe in the text box. If the CD is in a CD-ROM drive other than “z,” substitute “z” with the appropriate corresponding drive letter.

Step 5 Click ”OK”. The “Choose Setup Language” dialog box is displayed:

Select the language in which the InstallShield® Wizard Setup will be displayed.

Step 6 Click “OK”. The “InstallShield Wizard Setup” status box is displayed. This status box displays the progress status of the InstallShield Wizard setup.

Note: For installations 2011B and greater, the InstallShield Wizard will install Microsoft.Net Framework

4.0 if it has not previously been installed on the PC. This process may take several minutes and may require a reboot before the installation of Cat Electronic Technician can continue.

When the setup is complete, the Welcome dialog box is displayed:

Step 7 Read through the Welcome message, and then click the “Next>” button to continue the setup.

The “Software License Agreement” dialog box is displayed. Clicking “Cancel” will abort the setup process.

Step 8 Read through the license agreement. Click the “I accept the terms in the license agreement” radio button to accept the terms and conditions. Click “Next>” to continue the setup.

Step 9 Click “Next>” to continue the setup. The Ready to Install the Program dialog is displayed.

Click “Install” to continue. Click “<Back” to return to the previous screen. Click “Cancel” to abort the setup process.

Step 10 The setup process begins copying files. Click “Cancel” to abort the setup/installation process.

Step 11 When the installation has completed, the “Installation Complete” dialog box is displayed.

Click “Finish” to close the “Installation Complete” dialog box. The ReadMe file is displayed. If prompted, the computer must be rebooted in order for the finalization to complete and for the software to work.

Installing Cat Electronic Technician with WinPcap

Purpose

During the installation of Cat ET, the user will be prompted to install WinPcap. Follow the prompts for the installation.

Note: This will only occur if Cat ET or an earlier version of WinPcap has not been installed. Step 1: Click “Yes.”

Step 2: Click “Next>” to allow the wizard to guide you through the installation.

Step 3: Read the WinPcap end users license agreement and click the “I Agree” button.

Step 4: Verify that the box allowing the WinPcap driver to automatically start at the boot time is checked.

Then click the “Install” button at the bottom of the dialog box.

Step 5: Click the “Finish” button to finish the wizard setup of WinPcap.