Cat Lift Trucks (& Caterpillar) T40B:
HELP with t45b cat

Hello new to the forum and just purchased aold t45b cat forklift (lift truck) to use in the shop. Over the years someone has been into the electrical ect and I'm in the process of putting and repairing it all back to stock and original so trouble shooting will be easier ect. It hasn't ran in years and dud run when it was parked as I knew this forklift prior to purchasing. Anyways I've replaced all the points and condensor and cap and rotor and have good dopark engine has good compression a new certified and full tank of propane aswell. But will not fire up or backfire or kick when I try to start.I'm now into the fuel system but propane is not my field but have many years in mechanics with gas and diesel. My questions are as follows. What's the firing order on my 4cyl continental engine on the cap and direction ? 1342 clockwise ect? Next I am trying to figure out what some of the parts are as I don't know there names or have a wiring diagram to help hook them up ect but can pist pucs if someone can help and provide there locations ect. If someone had a t40b or t45b maybe they can help with pics and the info I need to hook things up right. I'm sure the reason it will not start is an electrical problem going to a valve not letting the propane flow as it seems it's a not fuel start problem. If someone can assist you have no clue what help it would be to me. I also don't know where this post belongs in the forum so if someone can help it would be appreciated. I can provide model # and serial # if needed aswell to help assist in the repair process. Thsnkyou
  • Posted 14 Oct 2024 04:25
  • Discussion started by Chris_Case
  • Quebec, Canada
Showing items 1 - 5 of 5 results.
Is this a monotrol or gear selection on column ?
The switch is possibly an old back up alarm switch the older units had them by steer column so the arms would engage the switch when placed in reverse

Poppop5366 at yahoo dot com
  • Posted 15 Oct 2024 08:03
  • Modified 15 Oct 2024 09:54 by administrator
  • Reply by John_Bradley
  • Texas, United States
Jb69
There us a white wire coming out of the column I think it's the horn wire but it's disconnected to. I added a seperate button for the horn as the horn cap is missing lol. This switch I'm talking about is about 4"×2" and has a bracket where it's bolted at the base of the column. If you have an email I can send some pics as it might jog someone's memory lol. I have no clue what it's for lol.
  • Posted 15 Oct 2024 07:03
  • Reply by Chris_Case
  • Quebec, Canada
That sounds like the vacuum lock off and if voltage is only present when engine turns over that is what it is designed to do
The color of wires at base of steering column
Suggest horn contact switch the contact rubs against the steering rod inside of column and makes a negative contact for horn
  • Posted 15 Oct 2024 05:22
  • Reply by John_Bradley
  • Texas, United States
Jb69
Managed to get it running today. There is a some type of diapham bell shaped thing that threads into base of the mixer with 2 terminals on the back side of it. 1 terminal went to a selonoid valve that the tank line goes to 1st the other terminal had a wire coming off 12v+ side of coil with key on to the other 1. Not sure what this thing is called or if it's hooked up right but seems as when engine rolls over it supplies power to this selonoid. If anyone can confirm it's wired correctly. This will be a 1st step to verify. Next is there is some type of switch at the base of the steering column with a black and green wire coming out of it and looks like a spring sticking out of it like some type of saftery switch. What is it and where dose it hook up and how does it work? Can send pics to an email as I don't know how to post them here. Also this is a duel fuel gas and propane how do yoh switch from 1 to the other. Km only running lp gas right now. Thanks
  • Posted 15 Oct 2024 04:15
  • Reply by Chris_Case
  • Quebec, Canada
The firing order is 1-3-4-2 and clockwise First there are two types of lock off valves
The lock off valve will have either wires or vacuum hose. Usually the lock off is located in lp line from tank to unit before the vaporizer
If it is an electric it will generally be hooked up to the oil pressure switch on side of engine
This is done so if there is a fire and you kill unit the fuel will shut off same with vacuum hose
Usually the hose hooks up at the carb or the intake check these first. Also the carb- mixer
Is vacuum operated,as engine turns over it opens a diaphragm inside if diaphragm is bad you will not get fuel Lp is highly flammable please take every precaution to prevent a fire or injury
Hope this helps
Good luck !
  • Posted 15 Oct 2024 04:02
  • Reply by John_Bradley
  • Texas, United States
Jb69

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