Fuel Shutoff Solenoid ? 2210 dies with no warning.

steveschlutt · Oct 14, 2018

Hi Fellow Tractor Friends, I read posts often, but haven't posted in years-- haven't needed to. But now I am pulling my hair out with my 2004 John Deere 2210. 3 Cyl. Yanmar Diesel.
Several times now it has died with no notice. Acts like it's out of fuel, will start but immediately die. Often with a cloud of rich black smoke-- as though there's excess unburned fuel.
I can get it started after it sets awhile. After reading some posts about the 2305 (next newer model), there was some discussion about replacing a Diode nearest the Fuel Shutoff Solenoid. I did that, and it seemed fixed-- mowed for 3+ hours yesterday, and never faltered once. Then today, boom- it died out again with no warning, same symptoms. I could eventually get it restarted after many tries, and again, plenty of smoke, as though there's excess fuel. This might be a coincidence, but most of the times it has happened, I've ascended or descended a slight hill or elevation. Happens right after that.
There are three Diodes that i can see in the harness, and more hidden behind the instrument panel. The dealer tells me there are actually 7 Diodes in the harness. Should I replace more of the diodes? or could this be the failing of my fuel pump or my fuel pump solenoid?
I'd appreciate any wisdom you could share-- this is a week that I REALLY need this beast to run. It has never failed me in 14 years-- 'til now.
Steve Schlutt in St. Joseph MI

beenthere · Oct 14, 2018

A wild guess, but I'd look in the fuel tank for bad fuel with maybe algae possibly. Base that on the uphill/downhill comment.

gimmodog · Oct 14, 2018

also check and clean all the safety circuit connections

atsah · Oct 14, 2018

Descending hills, maybe the seat switch..

steveschlutt · Oct 14, 2018

Thanks for those suggestions! I had emptied and checked the fuel tank a month ago-- thought the problem was a clogged fuel outlet + fuel filter. Changed filter, and tank looked clean, no sign of Algae, maybe a small amount in fuel filter bowl at bottom. After changing the filter, I tested flow- plenty of fuel flowing (all over barn floor).
I hadn't considered the seat safety, I'll check that out, it's simple to override it. Thanks for those suggestions. Has anyone ever changed the fuel shut off solenoid? I can barely see it, it's buried to the rear of the fuel pump and is obscured by wires hoses and linkage.

steveschlutt · Oct 15, 2018

H E L P ! It is not the seat switch... did an override of that, and it still died unpredictably! I am suspicious of the other two diode plugs, or the fuel pump shut-off solenoid. I seem to be getting plenty of fuel flow... so I am at a loss as to why it dies so unpredictably. Does anyone have any other ideas? My next step is to haul it to the Deere dealer-- have never had to do that, and since the problem seems so intermittent, I don't know how they could possibly diagnose this. and I'm sure that process will end up costing several hundred dollars, possibly with no result or improvement. H E L P !

atsah · Oct 15, 2018

When the tractors shuts itself off, will it restart right away?

Do you hear the click from the solenoid when you turn the key from off to on, on to off?

steveschlutt · Oct 15, 2018

Yes, I get a click when I turn on the ignition-- but I haven't listened for that click when it dies unexpectedly. Next time that happens, I will listen for the click.
I replaced the diode nearest to the solenoid. The suspect one I removed tested ok the next day, but it was all cooled off. My theory is that it fails when it gets hot-- that the added stress of heat causes its weakness to emerge.
I can get it restarted, but it takes many tries, and sometimes it has to cool off.
Today, I ordered the other 2 diodes in that section of the harness (They're $13 each)- if I have replaced all 3, that will be eliminated as a potential cause. The harness is wrapped and taped so thoroughly, it's nearly impossible to trace wires accurately- so I'm going to simply replace all 3 diodes.
The problem is that this happens unexpectedly and intermittently. I'm sure that the day I haul it to the dealer, it will not happen at all that day. Murphy's law...
I'll let you know if replacing these diodes eliminates the problem.

atsah · Oct 15, 2018

So something has to cool off before it will start again, how about if before you replace all the diodes you get the tractor running and when it stalls, install the diode that you replaced to begin with, with the original and try to start it just to see if it starts right away, you may have a short in that circuit..

atsah · Oct 15, 2018

Yes sometimes they do get oil in them and cause problems, mine had oil on the shaft, every time I pulled the shaft in and out I would get more oil out of it.