ERROR CODE 08 AND WARRANTY PROCESS

[Superduper]

TRACTOR FIXED. Sorry for the long time to post fix. Anyhow, dealer wanted $200 to pickup and another $200 to return tractor when finished. I figure $400 out the door for a warranty repair on a factory defect was not a very good deal so I sprung for the factory repair manual instead.

So... Got out and braved the weather today and worked on it. The problem was the throttle position sensor feedback voltage was not posting correctly. The factory specification for the throttle position sensor voltage at idle was .6v - 1.2volts. The Deere computer has the ability to display sensor readings in real time and a voltmeter is not even required. In fact, in order to use a voltmeter, a seperate breakout box needs to be purchased. I opted to use the dash display option. At idle setting, it initially read 0 volts, definitely no good. I wiggled the connector for the TPS and got .6v. Hmm, perhaps the connector has an intermittent? Anyhow, while the voltage at .6 volts was just barely in range, I could see how the voltage could drop below that minimum voltage threshold during operation and trip the error code. I decided to adjust the TPS to provide .9v during idle, the mid point of the low speed range. To do this, you merely loosen the two nuts holding the sensor in place and rotate the sensor to where it will post the correct voltage -- lock down the nuts and done. Restarted the motor and operated it for a bit and no more code. At this point, it appears to be fixed and it costed me a little under $100 for the service manual, a far better deal than the $400 the dealer wanted.

By the way, if you own a newer deere tractor, it would be of value to you to get yourself a copy of this manual. I ordered mine in electronic version which is basically a large pdf file but it saved me like $40 or $50 over the printed version. The manual is loaded with information for do it yourselfers that you can't otherwise obtain. Many of the service, such as the simple adjustment above wouldn't be doable without the manual. The built in sensor feedback display embedded within the deere on board computer can't be accessed without the passcodes in the manual. The passcode is entered by alternately pressing the left and right turn signals in a particular sequence. Interestingly, it appears from the manual that if your tractor does not have motionmatch (it is an option), it could probably be activated merely by installing the motionmatch switch into the harness and programming the computer to recognize that the switch is installed. The manual tells you how to program the computer to recognize that the switch is installed. This seems logical because modern day vehicle computers often have capabilities that are inherent but disabled. Since no real cost is associated with enabling the option (other than the switch), it is a highly profitable "option" to offer. I have not tried installing the switch or even looking at the harness to see if a connector is available to install the switch but someday, I might check just to verify my suspicion.

 

[dirtworksequip]

superduper, the wiring harness contains all connectors for any options available. MotionMatch would be one of the empty connectors.

 

[Keoke]

Superduper, smart move on getting the manual, great job on the repair.

cheers,

 

[ddivinia]

A problem at 10 hours - my dealer would take care of it under warranty. 10 hours - it is defective - period.

D.

 

[Superduper]

......A problem at 10 hours - my dealer would take care of it under warranty. 10 hours - it is defective - period......

D.

The dealer has stated that if it is a coverable defect, they would repair it. Sounds like they are afraid to commit to it until they had the opportunity to diagnose it. I can't envision a scenario where the problem would not be covered. I agree that the tractor is defective and am not entirely happy with this. The problem is in "quality control" as it was not adjusted properly prior to being released to the customer, namely me. There are a few other things that I would nit-pick about but seeing how they didn't affect the operability, I didn't make an issue of them.

So in a nutshell, this is more about the lesser of two evils. Pay $400 for the transport roundtrip (dealer says the cost could increase if there are traffic delays) and get it repaired under warranty, or spend $100 for manual and repair it myself. For me, this was the better option. While in principle, the dealer should certainly repair the tractor, insisting on this merely results in less cash in my pocket and is akin to "winning the battle, but losing the war."

 

[ddivinia]

You might want to send a letter to John Deere. Maybe they will pay for the service manual or something. They seem to take things pretty seriously - might hook you up with something.

D.

 

[GATOR445]

Deere dosen't pay to transport your tractor under warranty. If you get your tractor fix and the dealer picks it up and returns it with out charge thank the dealer. because they eat the cost the only time deere pays is if it's some types of lets say recalls.

 

[MikeyB]

If you don't mind, where did you buy your manual? I have a new 3320 and would like to have a manual but haven't had any luck finding one.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Superduper]

If you don't mind, where did you buy your manual? I have a new 3320 and would like to have a manual but haven't had any luck finding one.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike, I bought it directly from Deere. Their website isn't very user friendly and you could get lost in there, but it's buried there somewhere. I purchased it online. The printed copy is nice, but the electronic CD version is cheaper and if you have a good printer, you can print out the section/pages you are working on and not have to worry about soiling the manual with mud or grease.

 

[Superduper]

Deere dosen't pay to transport your tractor under warranty. If you get your tractor fix and the dealer picks it up and returns it with out charge thank the dealer. because they eat the cost the only time deere pays is if it's some types of lets say recalls.

Don't get me wrong, I am not raggin on the dealer as I'm certain they would have fixed it had I brought it in. But let's face it, the tractor is new (months) and only had 8.1 hours at the time. No way could I be happy that I would have to foot a $400 transport bill to offset sloppy prep work, right? Keep in mind that this minor adjustment resulted in error codes and operability problems. If it was delivered in correct operating condition, then there wouldn't even be a $400 transport bill issue -- for a 15 minute adjustment at that. If the sensor was defective, then that would have been understandable as an unexpected defect. However, seeing that it was something that should have been set up properly beforehand, that goes towards workmanship and was/is entirely avoidable. This is not a car that can be easily driven to the dealer, and as such, a service visit is a much bigger deal. Here's where a little extra attention to detail makes for a much happier customer. When I ordered the tractor, I was told they would have to put one together for me and it took two weeks. I am presuming that this meant some pre-delivery prep work on the part of the dealer? In any event, whether the dealer or manufacturer was responsible for the correct set up of the tractor, as far as I am concerned, they are one and the same, as the dealer is, afterall, representing the manufacturer. Perception is reality. I do understand however that other tractor manufacturers have also been known at times to exhibit sloppy workmanship or poor pre-delivery prep work, or other manufacturer idiosyncratic maladies. In truth, I guess if it happened at, say 200 hours instead, I wouldn't be complaining at all. But since I plunked down 20+ very big hard-earned ones, I guess I'm entitled to complain just a little, right?

Now, before it appears that I hate the tractor, let me be clear that I think it is a great tractor. It has done everything I expected and more. If I were to do it over again, I would have ordered the diverter valve option and the larger motor as I like a little more snap. Not that it doesn't do what I want but I grew up in the era where big blocks were king...