JD w/ Left Hand Reverser - no movement - dash light for transmission

RancherGuy · Jun 17, 2021

I have a 2006 JD 5425. Manual shift with a LHR. Is there someone reading this that has experience or diagnostic guidance?

One day I used it - all was well - parked it. Next day I went to use it and after starting, I moved the LHR and nothing happened. Then after 10 seconds the dash light for the transmission lights up. That icon looks like a gear with an exclamation mark.

I talked with the JD service manager. His response was "Sounds like something electrical". Had no other words of advice other than "Bring it in". That's the last thing I will consider because of one (and only) experience in the past. I have no confidence in the talent that they hire.

After more testing, I can confirm the following. I can start the tractor and as long as the LHR is neutral, there are no lights. As long as the clutch is in and the LHR is moved to F or R, there are no lights. If the LHR is F or R and the clutch is let out, the dash light comes on after 10 seconds and stays on until the tractor is turned off.

Help! What do I look for?

beenthere · Jun 17, 2021

Time to get a copy of the service tech manual for your tractor and dig into the problem.

RancherGuy · Jun 17, 2021

beenthere said:
Time to get a copy of the service tech manual for your tractor and dig into the problem.

The idea sounds good, but for two vehicles for which I followed that path, I found that the manuals were of little to no help. For example with my JD 6105, the a/c compressor was working but the fan did not blow. I bought 2 manuals for it: diagnostics and repair after I tore apart the dash and steering column, looking for a blower. It was not easy, but with one of the manuals I determined that the blower was under the seat. The manual did not explain how to get to it. There was one panel that hard as I tried, could not be removed. Finally someone online let me know that there were screws on the outside of the cab. When I got to the fan, there were no instructions to determine if the $400 fan motor was good or bad. Could not test with standard multimeter because it is run with PWM.

Today I'm not saying this to complain, but looking for someone might be able to offer guidance or insight that is not in the book.

Midniteoyl · Jun 17, 2021

Didn't someone else here just have the same problem and traced it back to a solenoid (1 of 3)? Or was that you?

workinonit · Jun 17, 2021

Sorry you had that issue with the tech manual. Mine are detailed and concise. They explain how to get to pretty much anything on the unit. They don't explain how to troubleshoot motors or relays, etc. Those are things they assume you know if you are working on your tractor. You likely do have a bad relay or sensor of sorts and maybe someone will come along that has had that experience that can assist. But to me, if you don't want to take it to the dealer and you don't want to get a tech manual you are pretty much flying by the seat of your pants. Good luck.

sunset ridge farm · Jun 18, 2021

Check the forward and reverse solenoids underneath the tractor. They should be located on the left hand side of the tranny. I had the wires torn off of mine while bush hogging. After replacing them, I made a guard to protect them from brush.

RancherGuy · Jan 30, 2022

UPDATE

I took the tractor to a JD mechanic. Said that the valve body of the transmission was completely plugged and damage had occurred. He also said that fluid level was extremely low, which may have initiated the problem. Had to split the tractor, clean it up and replace parts. $5,000 bill.

plastikosmd · Jan 30, 2022

Thx for update, I will be checking my fluid level

beenthere · Jan 30, 2022

plastikosmd said:
Thx for update, I will be checking my fluid level

And changing oil, filter, and cleaning the screen?

RancherGuy · Feb 1, 2022

plastikosmd said:
Thx for update, I will be checking my fluid level

I forgot to add that before getting into repairs, he said the bell housing was full of oil. In fact he repeated it with a note of amazement, as though he didn't understand how that could happen. I didn't do the work and he didn't give a reason when the job was completed, so I can't forward information on it. This tractor often ran a hydraulic motor, on my hay rake. The connection leaked some, but I felt that I was watching the fluid level often enough.