JCB Excavator 658 Fault Code: Loss Of High Speed Tracking
Loss Of High Speed Tracking · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
Code 658 on JCB excavators means the machine has lost high speed tracking, the fast travel mode selected by the operator (usually shown by a 'hare' symbol on the display). JCB's own test procedure points to checking track motor speeds and pressure switches as the two main diagnostic steps.
Medium severity. Loss of high speed tracking is mainly a productivity and functionality issue rather than an immediate safety or damage emergency. The machine can usually still travel in low range, but a hydraulic control fault on the track circuit should still be diagnosed promptly since it may point to a developing pressure or valve problem.
What does JCB Excavator error code 658 mean?
Fault code 658 is set when the excavator fails to shift into or maintain high speed tracking, the faster of the two travel speed ranges available on many JCB excavators. High speed tracking is normally selected by the operator and confirmed on the display by a 'hare' symbol.
This code does not point to one single failed part. Instead, JCB's own troubleshooting guidance treats it as a functional complaint: the operator selects high range and the machine does not respond correctly, so the technician has to work through the track motor speed control and the pilot pressure switch circuit to isolate where the command is being lost.
Because high speed tracking depends on a pilot hydraulic signal switching the track motors into their low displacement, high speed position, this fault sits in the hydraulic control system rather than being a simple electrical sensor fault, even though the initial symptom is electronic (loss of the hare symbol or loss of actual high speed travel).
Common causes of 658
- Track motor not shifting into high speed displacement, so actual track motor speed does not match the high speed command.
- Pressure switch on the track motor pilot circuit not detecting or not correctly reporting the pilot pressure needed to confirm high gear selection.
- Loss of, or incorrect, pilot pressure at the port that selects high gear on the track motor, preventing the motor from shifting.
How to troubleshoot JCB Excavator 658: first checks
- Select high speed tracking and check whether the 'hare' symbol is actually displayed on the motor/monitor: this confirms whether the request is reaching the display and control system.
- Test the track motor speeds directly to see if the motors are actually running at the expected high speed rate when high range is selected, or if they remain in low speed.
- Test the pressure switches on the track motor high gear pilot circuit to confirm they are switching correctly and reporting pilot pressure state to the controller.
- With high speed tracking selected, check the actual pressure seen at the pilot port that selects high gear on the track motor, to confirm the pilot signal is present and at the correct pressure to shift the motor.
How the code clears
No separate clearing step is listed for this code. Diagnosis follows JCB's listed test sequence: check track motor speeds, then check the pressure switches and pilot pressure at the track motor high gear port. Once the underlying mechanical, hydraulic, or switch fault is corrected and high speed tracking operates and displays correctly, the fault condition should not re-trigger.
Frequently asked questions
What does JCB fault code 658 mean?
It means the excavator has lost high speed tracking, the fast travel range normally shown by a 'hare' symbol on the display. The machine is not shifting into or confirming high range travel as commanded.
Is code 658 dangerous to keep operating with?
It is not typically an immediate safety emergency since the machine can usually still travel in low range. However, any fault in the track motor pilot pressure circuit should be checked out since it affects how the machine responds to travel commands.
How do I check what is causing loss of high speed tracking?
Follow JCB's listed steps: test the track motor speeds to see if they actually increase when high range is selected, and test the pressure switches on the track motor pilot circuit. Also check for the 'hare' symbol on the display and verify actual pilot pressure at the high gear port on the track motor.
Why does the 'hare' symbol matter for this code?
The hare symbol is the operator's confirmation that high speed tracking has been selected. If it is not displayed when high range is chosen, that points to a signal or display issue rather than purely a hydraulic motor problem, helping narrow down where the fault lies.
What pressure should I see at the track motor pilot port?
JCB's guidance asks the technician to measure and record the actual pressure seen at the pilot port that selects high gear on the track motor when high speed tracking is selected. No specific target pressure value is given, so compare your reading against a known-good machine or JCB service data for your model.
Can a bad pressure switch cause code 658?
Yes. If the pressure switch on the track motor high gear pilot circuit fails to detect or report pilot pressure correctly, the controller may register a loss of high speed tracking even if the hydraulic pressure itself is present.