Branson 2610H second gauge panel to fail

[M&M Mules and Packing]

Hi All,
I have about 10 engine hours total on my new Branson tractor. After the first 4.5 hours, the gauge panel failed. The indicator lights (oil, battery, break, and glow plug) worked, but the fuel, tachometer, temperature, and engine hour clock gauges stopped working. I got a replacement from my dealer, and that seemed to solve the problem. The new gauge panel failed today with only 6 hours on the clock. Is there a known issue with these gauge panels? Also, the engine will occasionally die for no apparent reason. Forward or reverse, medium or low range, bucket loaded or empty, 4W in or out, the engine stalls like it's out of fuel (but it isn't). The engine won't restart unless I switch the key off/on first. Any ideas?

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

Here is a picture of the gauge set (Meter Panel Assembly) showing the indicator lights working when the key is turned to the on position.

Here is the gauge set with the engine running. Notice the engine clock.

Anyone else have issues with the gauges?

 

[K5lwq]

I have not heard of a problem with them other than some of the new 15 series panels do not have the temp gauge at all.

That is unfortunate. That panel looks totally different than mine. I wonder if it is out of a TYM model? Maybe someone that has TYM equivalent could chime in.

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

The 2610H electrical system seems to be a black-box mystery. I cannot find any wiring diagrams online. There are two control modules and five relays under the dash panel. I've checked the fuses, they're good. Anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram?

 

[ptsg]

My instrument panel is a version older than that. Doesn't have the blue accent. Other than that it's the same.

An older picture I had:

Anyways, good thing that you mentioned the random shutting of the engine. I think you have some electric issues going on that affects the fuel shut off solenoid and also may or may not kill the instrument panel.

 

[ptsg]

The 2610H electrical system seems to be a black-box mystery. I cannot find any wiring diagrams online. There are two control modules and five relays under the dash panel. I've checked the fuses, they're good. Anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram?

View attachment 750338

View attachment 750339

One of the boxes is the glow plug control module and the other is the flasher module. Can't remember which one is what right now but those are the same as my tractor.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Sounds like the whole tractor needs to go back to the dealer for repairs. This one might be a bear to find. Either an intermittent open, or short to ground. I'm thinking an intermittent short to ground, which drops out the fuel shutoff and after a few hits, takes out the panel.

Sorry for your troubles, good luck.

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

I was just checking the wires to the fuel shutoff, wiggling the wires and looking for a ground fault. Now the gauges are working. I tried wiggling the wires while the engine was running but couldn't make it shut off or cause the gauges to fail. I'll try reenforcing and insulating that section of wire harness with spiral wrap. Here are pictures of the wiring to the fuel shutoff and fuel pump.

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

This must be an open circuit issue. I fool around with it and it works for a while, and then the gauges go out again. I found the fuse-link in the wire harness and it seems good. After messing with it, the gauges started working again. I can't make the gauges fail or stall the engine by playing with the wires. I'm still not sure where the fault is. When I turn the key to the on position, the fuel pump starts, then there is an audible click of a relay, then the engine clock display comes on and the fuel gauge moves. I haven't determined which relay I am hearing (perhaps I'm hearing the fuel solenoid). Any hope of finding a wiring diagram for the 2610 tractors?

 

[Asteral]

the clicking sound would be the fuel feed pump engaging the relay will make clicking sound but unless your ear is right next to them you wont be able to hear them, i personally would check your ground connection for the dash components

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

As you can see from the picture of the back side of the panel, it is hard to determine which is the ground connection (or any connection). With the wire harness exposed, I have tried to cause the panel to fail by force. I can't replicate the issue. Without a wiring diagram it is hard to guess. Perhaps the panel is powered through one of the relays. There is a panel fuse, but it only affects the lights for the battery, oil, glow-plug, and break indicators. Why are there three wires to the fuel solenoid? I could try pulling the relays one at a time to figure out what they control.

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

There is a fuse labeled 'Fuel', and the engine will stall immediately if pulled. I'm not sure if it's for the fuel pump or the shutoff. I'll have to experiment.

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

@Asteral just posted a link to a service manual that has a component layout and wiring diagrams. This will take some time to study. Here is the link to the Google drive document: 24002510 service manual.pdf

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

This is interesting, there is a Fuel shut-off relay and an Engine stop relay. What does the Engine stop relay control?

 

[Number15]

Something like this might help

Amazon.com: Automotive Relay Tester 12V Auto Relay Diagnostic Tool Battery Checker Small Relay Tester with Clips : Automotive

Amazon.com: Automotive Relay Tester 12V Auto Relay Diagnostic Tool Battery Checker Small Relay Tester with Clips : Automotive

www.amazon.com

I have one similar, that I use. It's a godsend for me as I have old cars that for some reason the relays need to be checked for various issues.

I payed about half as much though.


Long shot but if you're near Rhea county TN you can borrow mine.

 

[oldnslo]

The three wires going to fuel solenoid are ground, one for main start pull-in power and 3rd wire is lower voltage- amperage hold or run circuit. This reduces the temperature rise in the solenoid and reduces premature failure.

Without studying wiring diagram not sure why have both fuel shut off relay engine shut off relay. Possibly a fail safe where two components must fail to prevent engine shutdown

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

Thanks @oldnslo, The service manual (with wiring diagrams) that @Asteral provided helped me to figure some things out, like the difference between the Pull and Hold circuits to the fuel solenoid. So, the engine stall issue could be caused by the engine stop relay as suggested by @Number15. I'm still unsure of what causes the gauge panel to fail periodically. The indicator lights are controlled through the Control unit, but the gauges and engine clock are controlled by a microprocessor in the gauge assembly. Any interruption of ground or Vcc to the microprocessor could cause the gauges to fail. Time to check all the ground points as @Asteral suggested.

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

Without studying wiring diagram not sure why have both fuel shut off relay engine shut off relay. Possibly a fail safe where two components must fail to prevent engine shutdown

The engine stop relay may also be part of an interlock system to shut the off engine if the operator leaves the seat while the PTO is engaged (or something like that). The wiring diagram I have is for the 2400(h)/2510(h) series, and not specifically for the 2610H. There is an odd looking (inductive?) sensor next to a sliding metal plate actuated by the forward/revers pedals. It seems like the engine stalls only when I am backing up. Perhaps this is an interlock issue with this sensor. I will take a picture of it when I get home from work. Maybe someone can tell me what it is.

 

[oldnslo]

My 2400H had the seat switch which killed the engine since on 2400H PTO is mechanically engaged. This was the first sensor by-passed on my tractor.

No clue on the sensor is by your forward reverse pedals. The cruise control on mine is mounted under the floor boards and is round black coil that is next to flat plate. The plate moves with the pedals.

Have I mentioned that random electrical problems are a real PITA to resolve

 

[M&M Mules and Packing]

The cruise control on mine is mounted under the floor boards and is round black coil that is next to flat plate. The plate moves with the pedals.

Yes, that is what I was describing. It reminds me of an electro magnet. So that probably has nothing to do with causing my engine to stall. This is progress. I can be more confident that the engine stall and the gauge failure are two different issues. They are both intermittent, but don't occur at the same time. I will recheck all connections and ground points, and test the engine stop relay. I'm not certain if my tractor has a seat switch, but I will check.