Need troubleshooting suggestions - L3400 died

[ctgoldwing]

So there I am in the middle of the woods doing a honeydoo project (cleaning a line for a large fenced in dog pen) when the tractor just dies. It acts like its out of fuel - cranks easily tries to start then nothing. Even though the gauge showed just less than 1/2 a tank I trudged up the hill & got some more diesel so now it has over 1/2 tank. Still no go - it turns over easily but its as if there is no fuel. . .

Is it possible the small trees / brush I was clearing caught a fuel line? I didn't see anything leaking and the filter bowl has fuel in it. . .

Where are the first places I should look?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Where are the first places I should look?

The fuel filters is where I'd start

 

[SPYDERLK]

Probably water in the fuel filter.

 

[mrutkaus]

Some electrical fuel cut-off or safety switch?

Mike

 

[tlbuser]

Ditto the fuel shutoff solenoid, probably located right at the pump. Follow the throttle cable, to something that looks similar to the pictured items. When the key is turned on, it should energize and retract.

 

[mng]

I had this happen to me last weekend, on a L3710 it turned out to be the mid PTO safety switch had tripped. I just turned the PTO on and off again and voila it works. I would also check for branches stuck underneath the tractor.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Great suggestions! Thanks they are all good starting points.

It was too **** hot yesterday & I was too **** tired to start crawling under the machine but today is a new day

Will let you know - I'm especially interested in looking at my pto (don't have a mid) - its possible the lever got knocked (how stupid would I feel)

 

[SPYDERLK]

Dont the safety switches prevent cranking? ... My understanding is it cranks but wont fire. A fuel issue.
larry

 

[ctgoldwing]

Dont the safety switches prevent cranking? ... My understanding is it cranks but wont fire. A fuel issue.
larry

I'm leaning towards a fuel issue - I zipped home for lunch today & made my way into the woods - The pto lever was partially forward (ahh hope) - I engaged it, disengaged it, no love.

I'm going to try again this evening - I'll find the fuel solenoid to see that it still has wires attached and then drain the filter bowl. I really don't think its a water problem. Not only is the machine kept indoors, it is conditioned air (basement garage) - but anything is possible.

 

[SgtRock]

I would start by seeing if you have fuel flow. If not then check for power at your pump. you should have 12vdc at the solenoid and at the pump itself.
I hope this helps.

 

[crashz]

I'm thinking fuel too. If it was the solenoid, it would not "try" to start. It would simply crank with not fuel or smoke.

I'd change the fuel filter, and in the process, try draining the tank a little at one of the lines. I've had fuel issues with dirt plugging the fuel lines from the tank to the fuel bowl. Also have had fuel filters plug solid.

 

[Chilly807]

When you turn the key to the "run" position, you should hear a definite "click" as the solenoid energizes. If you're not hearing that, there's a problem with either the solenoid or the lack of power going to it. Might even be the key switch. There may be a fuel solenoid fuse, I haven't looked at mine to see if there is one or not.

If the solenoid is energizing, it could be the fuel pump, let's hope it isn't.

Sean

 

[Ken]

Does your l3400 have a emergency shut off on the dash. If so the compresson release could be partly open by stick or stuck cable. Did it stop while running or was it shut off and did not restart.
Check all levers to be proper Pto and front pto shaft levers.
The water drain valve on fuel filter could it be in off position.

ken

 

[teg]

I'm going to try again this evening...

Did you get it started???

 

[ctgoldwing]

Did you get it started???

Well I didn't get it started last week but today the mystery is solved! :thumbsup:

It's been unbearably hot & humid here in Connecticut and every time I went into the woods to try something the combination of mosquitoes and the humidity drove me out. Today I was on a mission - if I didn't get it running I was going to call a wrecker to drag it out of the woods.

So - last week I opened the fuel bowl & drained everything out of it. Nothing but good clean diesel. . . The filter looked pristine. Only 35 hours on the clock.

The owner of Woodbury Tractor (where I had picked up my box blade & phd) suggested I change the filter anyway and bleed it. So I ordered a few and changed it. Tried cranking, still no love.

Then I remembered he said to bleed it. The knob for the bleeder is right there above the filter. So I go to open it and ITS ALREADY OPEN SOME

I opened it all the way, cranked for about 10 seconds and she fired right off. Per the bleeding instructions I left it running for some time before closing it. Runs like new

I did learn a lot about the tractor tho. I got to study the fuel system and electrical schematics so now I'm not totally ignorant.

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

 

[teg]

So being partially open caused it??

I ran out of fuel this past wk/ed... Once I filled it up, I open the bleeder for a while and cranked it. (I didn't know I should have left it open for a little while, but hey, it worked). Glad you got it running :thumbsup: