5055e no power at injection pump solenoid

Notforhire · Nov 29, 2018

A couple of months ago my 2011 5055e just stopped running and wouldn't restart. I checked at the injection pump and found no power. After looking at the fuses and not finding anything wrong, I removed the mounting bolts from the fuse panel in order to see if a wire had come loose. When I moved the harness the test light I had connected to the solenoid lit up. I reinstalled the fuse panel and started the tractor.
Yesterday the tractor failed to start, and again there is no power at the solenoid. I suspect something is partially unplugged.

Can anyone direct me as to where the problem may be? Harness plug, relays? The back of the fuse panel appears to be hard wired. I don't possess a service manual, looks like it may be time to invest in one.

Thanks, Bill

Turbys_1700 · Nov 30, 2018

I'm not a mechanic but it seems to me you will need to test the wiring from the switch down to the pump. You've got a short somewhere. If stored in a barn for a while perhaps some mice have chewed into your wiring. It happens. I would suggest a manual and start from there. Do you know a local mechanic or do you have someone local that is good at electrical troubleshooting?

Notforhire · Nov 30, 2018

Well today I pulled the dash apart and plugged and unplugged everything, cleaned some ring connections and the tractors up and running. I still don't know exactly what the problem was, but for now all is well.
There was no rodent damage or anything like that.
While I was there I decided to replace the starter motor. The original starter was always sluggish and would actually stall sometimes. (Two JD dealers said that it was normal.) I replaced it with an aftermarket unit and it works better than it ever did. Cost was about 25% of OEM.

Best, Bill

1010 · Nov 30, 2018

Make sure the ground wires are clean and tight. If you aren't finding blown fuses or smoking wires, then you probably don't have a short, but a cable end going bad, wire, or corrosion. Or something else like the starter. But that's ruled out now with the new starter. Where did you find the AM starter if you don't mind..?
Is the solenoid clicking open when it fails to start? It's just not turning over then?

Notforhire · Nov 30, 2018

1010 said:
Make sure the ground wires are clean and tight. If you aren't finding blown fuses or smoking wires, then you probably don't have a short, but a cable end going bad, wire, or corrosion. Or something else like the starter. But that's ruled out now with the new starter. Where did you find the AM starter if you don't mind..?
Is the solenoid clicking open when it fails to start? It's just not turning over then?

The starter has been a problem since the tractor was new. It would crank slowly and sometimes stall. Sometimes it would act like it had a dead battery.
I read recently that often the problem is the starter solenoid on these 50 series tractors. I was able to get a good price on a (complete) aftermarket starter on eBay so I tried that. I suspect that my original starter motor just needs the solenoid replaced. These are also available on eBay. I intend to fix it then keep it for a spare.

As far as the tractor not starting, it would turn over but the injector solinoid wouldn't be energized so no fuel, no start.
Evidently after cleaning some connections I solved the problem as it now starts right up and runs fine.