Engine Failed All Crank Attempts Without Starting
The ALLMAND-3 (COMMANDER controller) diesel fault code means: Engine Failed All Crank Attempts Without Starting. This is a serious severity code.
- Keep driving?
- No -- stop driving
- DIY difficulty
- moderate
- Estimated cost
- $20-$80 DIY for fuel filter, fresh diesel, and a battery charge or replacement. Pro diagnosis and repair ranges $150-$600 depending on whether the fault is fuel system, solenoid, glow plugs, or injection pump.
A $30 car code reader can't do diesel. The HD7000 reads full-system codes and does parked DPF regen, idle/speed-limit, and service resets from the cab — on everything from a 6.7 Cummins/Power Stroke/Duramax pickup to Class-8 trucks (Detroit, Paccar, CAT, Volvo, Mack, International).
Check Price on AmazonAffiliate link -- we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Full-system 6/9/16-pin diesel scan tool for Cummins, Paccar, CAT, Detroit and more — plug-and-play, no subscription. A cheaper way to read heavy-duty codes a basic OBD2 scanner skips entirely.
Check Price on AmazonAffiliate link -- we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Common Symptoms
- COMMANDER display shows fault code 3 and the unit will not start
- You hear the starter motor cranking repeatedly but the engine never fires
- The unit cycles through multiple crank attempts then shuts down and locks out
- Red fault or alarm indicator is lit on the COMMANDER controller side panel
- Tower lights never come on because the generator head never reached operating speed
- Unit was sitting on the rental yard or job site for several weeks before this failure
- Starter engages normally each attempt but exhaust shows no sign of combustion smoke
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Stale or water-contaminated diesel fuel after extended rental yard storage Very Likely
- Weak or discharged battery unable to crank fast enough for the engine to fire Very Likely
- Plugged or air-locked fuel filter preventing adequate fuel delivery to injectors Likely
- Faulty or stuck fuel shutoff solenoid not opening to allow fuel flow to injection pump Likely
- Air in the fuel system after a filter change, running dry, or long storage Likely
- Faulty glow plugs on cold starts preventing cylinder temperatures from reaching ignition point Possible
- Injection pump wear or failure causing insufficient fuel pressure at the injectors Less Likely
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
Check the fuel tank level first. A float sender can read incorrectly. Open the tank cap and visually confirm diesel is present and looks clean, not cloudy or dark with contamination.
Inspect the fuel for water contamination. Drain a small sample from the tank drain or primary filter bowl into a clear cup. Water will settle to the bottom as a separate layer. If contaminated, drain and refill with fresh diesel.
Test battery voltage with a multimeter across the terminals before cranking. You need at least 12.4V at rest and the voltage should not drop below 9.5V during cranking. A battery that collapses under load is a very common overcrank cause on rental units.
Check the fuel shutoff solenoid on the injection pump. With the ignition switched ON, you should hear a click as the solenoid energizes. No click means no power to the solenoid or a failed solenoid. Trace the wire back to the COMMANDER controller and check for 12V at the solenoid connector with a multimeter.
Bleed air from the fuel system. Locate the manual primer pump or bleed screw on the primary fuel filter housing. Pump the primer until you feel firm resistance and fuel flows without bubbles from the bleed screw. Air locks after storage or filter changes will cause every crank attempt to fail.
Replace the primary fuel filter if you do not know the service history or if it has been over 500 hours. A plugged filter starves the injection pump and is cheap insurance before condemning more expensive components.
Check glow plug operation on cold days below 50 degrees F. With a multimeter on DC amps or a simple test light, verify each glow plug draws current when the key is in the preheat position. A full set of failed glow plugs on a cold Kubota will cause an overcrank fault every time.
If all the above checks pass and the unit still cranks without firing, the injection pump or injectors need professional evaluation. This step requires specialty tools including an injection pressure tester, so call a diesel tech at this point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Allmand code 3 mean?
Code 3 means the COMMANDER controller tried to start the engine through all of its programmed crank cycles and the engine never fired. The controller locks out to protect the starter motor and flags the fault so you know the root cause needs to be found before trying again.
Can the light tower still run with this code active?
No. The engine is not running, so the generator head produces no power and the tower lights cannot operate. You need to clear the fault and fix the no-start condition before the unit is back in service.
How do I reset code 3 on an Allmand COMMANDER controller?
Fix the underlying no-start cause first, then press and hold the STOP button on the COMMANDER panel to clear the fault lockout. Resetting without fixing the root cause will just result in another overcrank cycle and the same code 3.
How much does it cost to fix an Allmand overcrank fault?
If the fix is fresh diesel, a new fuel filter, or a battery charge or swap, you are looking at $20 to $80 in parts you can handle yourself. If the fuel shutoff solenoid, glow plugs, or injection pump need attention, plan on $150 to $600 at a diesel shop depending on what failed.