Kubota L3240 display

[pelicanme]

I had an issue with my battery shifting and the positive terminal shorting to the frame. It burned the terminal wire, and of course shut down the tractor. After replacing the cable, and securing the battery, I could start the engine, but no display. The 5 amp display fuse was burned, and blows immediately when I replace it. All other fuses are good. I've also found that the glow plugs are not working, and the alternator is not charging the battery. All other tractor functions work as usual.

I can start and use the tractor, occasionally using a charger to refresh the battery. I can hear a solenoid click a couple of seconds after turning on the ignition switch. Cold starting is slow, as expected with no glow plug actuation. I have looked for wire shorts, and checked for any scorch marks on the display panel board, hoping for a simple fix, but no luck. Disconnecting the display stops the fuse blowing, but I can't start the tractor.

My electrical skills are limited, but I have found a wiring diagram. There is apparently a short in the display panel, and so far, my efforts at having it diagnosed and repaired have been fruitless, except for replacing it ($1500 part cost!). I've contacted 2 online panel repair sites, both responding that they don't do these. Could the panel affect the charging and glow plug circuits, or have they been damaged by the original short?

Any ideas or suggestions? I really don't want to go through the VERY expensive "take it to the dealer" process.

 

[Chewwy]

Start with a workshop manual for your machine. There is a section on servicing the electrical system which includes checking the display panel. If you don’t already have one, you can find a PDF copy of your WSM at kubotabooks.com

I doubt there are any shortcuts to solving your problem

 

[Mike1955]

I hate to say it but it looks like another panel is what it going to take. So now the task is to find the best deal on one, even if it’s a used one. It’s a big world and it don’t cost a lot to look around. Good luck sir

 

[Chewwy]

Replacing the display panel without determining the cause of the failure is likely to fry another one.

 

[Mike1955]

Replacing the display panel without determining the cause of the failure is likely to fry another one.

So true Chewwy. And he stated what caused it, in his first post

 

[pelicanme]

Thanks for the replies! I'm convinced that the panel has to be repaired or replaced. It does appear that the panel computer failure could cause the charging and glow plug problem. I am also concerned about installing a new panel and having it fail, but since the battery shorting issue has been resolved, it shouldn't happen.

No luck so far finding a used one, or a repair option, but I'm still looking.

Temporarily, I plan to improvise a direct manual switch to activate the glow relay. Will it be safe to connect the alternator output directly to the battery for charging?

 

[Chewwy]

Used display panels

Used Panel Assembly fits Kubota L3240 L3540 L3940 L4240 L4740 L5040 L5240 L5740 TD179-30202 TD179-30200 TD170-30200

Panel Assembly for Kubota Tractor(s) L3240, L3540, L3940, L4240, L4740, L5040, L5240, L5740. Replaces Kubota OEM Number(s) TD179-30202, TD179-30200, TD170-30200.

www.tractorpartsasap.com

Kubota Tractor L5740HSTC-3 B12000 Panel Board # TD179-30202 ASSY PANEL | eBay

Plastic protector is cracked Brand new

ebay.us

 

[Mike1955]

I think you need to investigate if that alternator has a built in regulator or not. If it don’t you could ruin it, and the battery. With a little effort you can work that out. More than one way to skin a cat!

 

[Redlined0002]

I think that tractor may have a fuseable link down by the starter that may have burned out causing all you problems. I really doubt your instrument cluster is bad

 

[TORQUIN]

It sounds like you need to do careful diagnosis between the battery and the instrument cluster, as all parts should be protected by fuses or fusible links, from the factory.
Use a light bulb, incandescent, not LED, of the correct voltage for your system, likely 12v, to put into the circuit between the points you are testing. If the bulb lights up at any point, there is a short downstream (battery is upstream) from that point. The bulb is a load, so it will not blow any fuses. If there is a load downstream of the bulb then the bulb will not glow, or glow very dim. Get a bulb with a socket that has a two wire pigtail. Add an alligator clip to each of the pigtail wires for connection convenience.

Chris

 

[Topzide]

Per your wiring diagram you posted, there are 4 slow blow fuses. 2 of those are alternator and glow plugs. Start there.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm not sure i followed that exactly.

 

[Wagtail]

.

 

[garry1p]

This is a tough one.
I guess I would start by unplugging the fuse panel connector and see if that stops the 5 amp fuse blowing.
I suspect you may have more fuses blown. Replacing the display and hoping the new one will not be damaged is pretty risky.
Not sure on yours but the 5 amp fuse may also protects the computer since it operates on low voltage.

 

[TMGT]

I'll be following, I also have a L3240 and worry about future issues with the display.

Sent from my SM-S921U using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Yeah, I wouldn't just throw a new palen on it without 1st going over the wiring and fuses 1st, much cheaper!

 

[Spanner]

Sort your shorts !

 

[Mike1955]

Sort your shorts !

If I remember correctly without rereading the post he already fixed the problem. This panel failure is the result of it. I honestly don’t know another way to check it other than try another working one. Unless he could put his in a working tractor and try it and that ain’t likely. So what else is there other to do?