HeavyEquipmentFix
Ask
DiagnosticsMedium severity

CAT Engine 24175 Fault Code: Ether Injection Control Solenoid : Current Below Normal

Also called Engine Start Enable Device 1 : Current Below Normal, Ether Control Solenoid Current Below Normal, Ether Injection Control Solednoid Current Low, Ether Injection Control Solenoid - Current Below Normal, Ether Injection Control Solenoid Current Low, Ether Injection Control Solenoid current low, Ether Injection Control Solenoid: Current Below Normal, Ether Injection Control Solenoid:Current Below Normal, ether Injection Control Solenoid : Current Below Normal

Ether Injection Control Solenoid : Current Below Normal · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13

TL;DR

CAT code 24175 (SPN 626, FMI 5) means the ECM sees a low current condition in the output circuit to the ether injection control solenoid, most likely an open circuit. The ECM logs the code, may light a warning lamp or display message, and disables the ether injection system until the fault is cleared.

Medium severity. This code disables the cold-start ether injection aid but does not by itself shut the engine down or cause running damage. It becomes more serious in cold weather when the engine may be hard to start without the ether system available, so it should be diagnosed before the next cold start rather than ignored.

What does CAT Engine error code 24175 mean?

Fault code 24175, SPN 626 FMI 5, is set by the Electronic Control Module (ECM) when it detects low current in the circuit that drives the ether injection control solenoid. FMI 5 specifically points to a current-below-normal condition, which almost always means the ECM is not seeing the electrical load it expects, typically because of an open circuit somewhere between the ECM driver and the solenoid.

The ether injection system is a cold-weather starting aid. It sprays a small, controlled charge of ether into the intake to help the engine light off when temperatures are low. The ECM decides whether to enable ether injection using a map based on coolant temperature, intake manifold air temperature, and atmospheric pressure, plus engine speed.

When this code is active, the ether injection system is disabled as a safety measure, since the ECM cannot reliably control a solenoid it cannot verify current on. If there is also an active engine shutdown condition, the ether system is disabled regardless of this code.

What triggers a CAT Engine 24175 code?

The ECM sets this code when it detects a low current condition in its output to the ether injection solenoid after it has been powered for at least 2 seconds. One version also requires that no diagnostic code 0168 is active at the same time. Separately, for the ether injection system itself to be enabled (so the solenoid would even be commanded), several conditions must all be true: ether injection must be set to enabled (or continuous flow) in the ECM parameters or electronic service tool, intake manifold air temperature or engine coolant temperature must be less than 0 °C (32 °F), coolant temperature must be less than the configured Start Aid Selection Temperature for coolant, intake manifold air temperature must be less than the configured Start Aid Selection Temperature for IMAT, coolant temperature and intake manifold air temperature must be within 11 °C of each other, engine speed must be greater than 0 rpm and less than 50 rpm below low idle speed, and no active diagnostic codes on either the coolant temperature sensor or the intake manifold air temperature sensor.

Common causes of 24175

  • Damaged, corroded, or physically abraded connectors and wiring in the ether injection solenoid circuit
  • A general problem in the wiring harness, including pinch points or chafed insulation between the ECM and the solenoid
  • A faulty ether injection control solenoid that will not draw the expected current
  • A faulty ether control module or control component in some listings
  • A faulty ECM in rarer cases, if the driver circuit itself has failed

How to troubleshoot CAT Engine 24175: first checks

  1. With the machine shut down and keys out, visually inspect the ether injection solenoid connector and in-line connectors for corrosion, moisture, or loose pins
  2. Check the wiring harness from the ECM to the solenoid for chafing, abrasion, or pinch points, especially where the harness runs near moving parts or sharp edges
  3. Test continuity of the solenoid circuit wiring and check the solenoid coil resistance against a known-good unit if a meter and specification are available
  4. Confirm the solenoid itself is not physically stuck, corroded, or damaged, since a bad solenoid can present as a low current fault
  5. Check for other active diagnostic codes on the coolant temperature sensor or intake manifold air temperature sensor, since these can prevent the ether system from being enabled even after the wiring is fixed
  6. Verify ECM connectors are seated and that there is no corrosion at the ECM end of the harness

How the code clears

No separate reset procedure is listed for this code. Once the wiring, connector, or solenoid problem is repaired and the circuit shows normal current draw, the code should stop being active on the next key cycle. Because the code is latched and logged, it may need to be cleared with an electronic service tool even after the repair, though no specific clearing steps beyond fixing the fault are described.

Affected models and serial ranges

24175 appears in our records across 7 CAT Engine models. Match your machine by model and serial number.

ModelSerial ranges
C11Serial range not listed in source records
C13Serial range not listed in source records
C15Serial range not listed in source records
C175Serial range not listed in source records
C18Serial range not listed in source records
C27Serial range not listed in source records
C32Serial range not listed in source records

Frequently asked questions

What does CAT code 24175 mean?

It means the ECM detected a low current condition in the circuit that controls the ether injection solenoid, which is the cold-weather starting aid. This points to an open circuit or high resistance somewhere in that wiring or at the solenoid.

Will code 24175 stop my engine from starting?

Not by itself. The code disables the ether injection system, so if you are relying on ether to help start in cold weather, starting may be harder, but the engine can still run and start normally under conditions that do not require the ether aid.

Why does the ether injection system only work in cold weather?

The ECM only enables ether injection when intake manifold air temperature or coolant temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F), along with other conditions like engine speed and sensor status. In warmer conditions the system is not enabled, so this code has less practical impact.

What is the most common cause of this fault?

Damaged, corroded, or chafed wiring and connectors in the ether solenoid circuit are the most frequently cited causes, followed by a faulty solenoid. A bad ECM driver is possible but less common.

Do I need a scan tool to fix this?

You will likely need an electronic service tool to confirm the code is cleared and to check related sensor codes, but the physical repair, inspecting wiring, connectors, and the solenoid, can often be done with basic electrical test equipment.

Is it safe to keep operating with this code active?

Yes, in terms of engine safety, since this only affects the cold-start ether aid and the ECM disables the system rather than allowing erratic operation. The main risk is difficulty starting in cold temperatures until it's repaired.

Can a bad temperature sensor cause or affect this code?

An active diagnostic code on the coolant temperature sensor or intake manifold air temperature sensor will prevent the ether injection system from being enabled at all, which is a related but separate issue from the low current fault itself.