Snow Help !!! 790 runs but stalls out when shifted into gear

[JD790boy]

HELP !!

My '02 790 is letting me down tonight.

It starts and runs great. But stalls when I attempt to put it in gear or engage a PTO. Does it whether or not I'm sitting in the saddle, so that leads me to believe it's that the seat switch is not making it's contact when depressed.

Anybody had similar troubles?

Any advice or help would be appreciated. With a foot of snow on the way, I'm in a bind here. Need a quick fix (jumper?)

Also am looking for a copy of a 790 wiring diagram .

Thanks ,folks

Ron

 

[grsthegreat]

yup..i had that with my neighbors. if i remember right, theres only 2 wires on the switch. i just crossed the 2 to get it to work and replaced the switch later on

 

[grsthegreat]

the switch is right under the seat...real easy to get to

 

[JD790boy]

Thanks for the info !!

I located the switch but it seems like more than a 2 prong connection.

like 4 prongs must individual leads out for the PTO's , too ...

I think I can jumper them but need to know which are the right contacts to make ??

I should be able to check connectivity on the switch to see if it makes contact and that will tell if the switch is bad.

 

[kjung17]

It's probably a double pole single throw switch. One Normally open contact, one normally closed. You could jump the N.O. contact to make it go, but PTO may not work until you get a new switch. good luck.

 

[JD790boy]

Kevin,

Thanks for the help. I am going to try to find a switch tomorrow at the dealer but my fear is that 2002 seat switches aren't "off the shelf" ...
I'm afraid to jumper the wrong wires.
Is there a way to tell which contacts are which ?
Any danger in jumpering the wrong contacts?

 

[grsthegreat]

Thanks for the info !!

I located the switch but it seems like more than a 2 prong connection.

like 4 prongs must individual leads out for the PTO's , too ...

I think I can jumper them but need to know which are the right contacts to make ??

I should be able to check connectivity on the switch to see if it makes contact and that will tell if the switch is bad.

yup.now i remember...there were. you pull the switch up to use the pto while not seated on the switch, and when you sit down it registers your on the seat.....its been awhile. it should be real easy to find out which legs does what with a meter. i really cant say why there are 4 wires. i would guess one was a 12 volt line, and one goes to complete the starter...one for the pto safety...i am not sure what the 4th would do. as long as you didnt cross the 12 volt line with a grounded source, i cant see an issue,....and anyways the older tractors have fuses also..so if you did screw up it would blow the fuse. personally if it were me.....id get a replacement switch from dealer if you dont need it right now. if i did need it id find the 12 volt line and cross it to one other wire and see what happens....i dont have a schematic for my JD870. what i could do is test mine out tomorrow morning and find what wires go where if you really need to have it in the morning.oh...i also remember that if you try to drive the tractor foreward with the button pulled up..the tractor shuts off. only the pto can operate with the switch in the up position...kind of confusing aint it

 

[JD790boy]

I'm going to try for a new switch at the dealer in the morning.

$30 is cheaper (and safer) than blowing fuses ...

I will need it by day's end . calling for 1ft + of the white stuff ...

I need to check the seat switch for continuity first and then make sure the PTOs don't run while I'm in the seat.

If the PTO's run with the switch depressed then it might be one of the neutral safety switches. I'm getting there .. just need to do some investigating ...

Thanks for all your info and help. I'll keep you both posted.

 

[lcrans]

I had that same problem last winter. It turns out that the switch got some moisture in it and froze. About 15 minutes with a hair dryer and it was good as new.....12+ months later still working.....

 

[JD790boy]

I'm happy to announce my 790 lives. Resolution provided by Craftsman.

The story goes like this .I always tip my seat up to cover the console when not in use. I had used it Sunday afternoon to plow the 3" or so out of the driveway.

A little melting snow and then a 10 degree night caused ice to form in one of the seat spring pins not allowing the interlock switch to be fully depressed by my tailbone when seated properly. 3 raps from my trusty 22 oz Craftsman claw hammer and the offending pin was free of ice. Fired it up and plowed the rest of the driveway just like a champ !!

Sometimes I'd rather be lucky than good

Thanks to all who posted with help. It's good to know that I have this site as a resource for help when I need it.

Ron