HELP - My TC33DA Won't Start

drm · Jan 30, 2005

HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Help, my TC33DA is dead. Well not actually, it just won't start & I have snow to plow. The PTO engagement light is on and not permitting the starter to engage. I have checked the linkage & mid PTO switch and operated them both. They are both definitely not engaged.

The mid PTO switch is extended and not in contact with the mid PTO lever (about < 1/16" clear). I have not been able to see where the rear PTO switch is located.

The light came on last Saturday while I was clearing snow with temps about 8* F and a nasty 20 mph wind & snow. Checked all the fluid levels. Figured something froze up and upon thawing it would be OK, not so. The tractor stays in and unheated attached garage that has gotten up to the upper 30's the last few days so I figured all would be well. I have spent the last week cleaning up a pipe break that flooded a bath and bedroom so I did not have time to look at the tractor till today.

The machine has 42 hours so I will call the dealer in the AM but would like to repair this myself if it is simple so I don't have to take the day off.

Any suggestions? Any similar problems?

Thanks....Derek

thcri · Jan 30, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

I am not sure of the new DA series but the D series use to have a little lever I could lift and it would give me a one time start to bypass the safety switches. You could reach in from the back on the left side between the wheel and the housing.

Did you try engaging the PTO and back out again. I know these safety switches for me were kind of a pain at first but once we got them adjusted I have never had any trouble since.

murph

drm · Jan 30, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

murph,

Yea, I tried them both several times. They both have a solid feel when they engage & disengage. The mid PTO switch is not depressed but I could not locate the rear switch.

I will go out after dinner & look for the bypass. I did not see this in the manual but It is worth looking again.

Thanks...Derek

DUMBDOG · Jan 30, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Have you checked for any loose wires by the connectors?

drm · Jan 30, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Dumbdog,

Already did that.

I was looking at a few old posts and will be picking up some contact cleaner to spray the connections to see if it is moisture.

...derek

sherpa · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

The light came on last Saturday while I was clearing snow with temps about 8* F and a nasty 20 mph wind & snow

May have ice/snow frozen holding the switch in place.

Sherpa

drm · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Sherpa,

The tractor has 95% thawed and dried out. The switch for the mid PTO is operating (at least mechanically) OK. Can not locate the rear PTO switch.

Anyone know where the rear PTO safety switch is?

Derek

DocHeb · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Don't know for sure, but I'll reply with the service pages for Class III tractors - switches may or not be the same as Class II. Rear PTO attached.

Even though the plungers may activate, the electric connectors may not be working. Did you test for Open/Closed connections with the switch?

DocHeb · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Mid-PTO switch position and testing.

adlertom · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

( Have you checked for any loose wires by the connectors? )

This is the likely cause of your problem. Look underneath the tractor for wires that have come loose. The wires are poorly protected and simply pushed on with bullet connectors.

After this happened to me, I soldered, taped, and wire tied mine to better protect them.

drm · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Chris,

No I have not tested the switches but will try it. Unfortunately, the pages that you attached are not legible due to the resolution(?) of the scan. I have an idea of what they are asking for.

Will try to get out there. I had a water pipe break and need to work on cleaning out that room for the contractor to start repairs tomorrow.

Life comes at you all at once.

Derek

drm · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Tom,

On my list of things to look at as soon as I can get out there. I checked all of the wiring up under the fender but did not get down under/beside the tractor. I did not expect much wiring down low due to possible damage. Unfortunately the space I park the tractor in only has 6-8" of clearance around it. Oh well.

Thanks...Derek

paccorti · Jan 31, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

You might want to check the fuses too. I think there is at least 1 fuse dedicated to the safety system.

Peter

sherpa · Feb 1, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

drm
Can you pull it out of the tight space? Are there implements attached to the tractor? If you download that attachment diagram you may be able to read it better by zooming in and out.
Sherpa

drm · Feb 1, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Sherpa,

I figured out to zoom in on the image late yesterday and was able to read it. I may have some time this afternoon to look at it. Luckily, we did not get much snow on Sunday and with the sun the last two days it is melting. One of our big problems is drifting snow which we are not having right now. I pushed through with my truck & the wife’s car is doing OK since. No snow forecast till at least Thursday so my level of urgency has drastically reduced.

As far as space, I can get under it just won't be easy. I have shelves on both sides along the engine & FEL but can move some of the stuff at the rear wheels (snow blower, diesel fuel cans, rollaway tool chest, etc.). Like I said, I will try to get out there this afternoon. Working at home has some advantages but when you have two toddlers, one sick (spent Sunday night till 1 AM at the ER with the 20 mo. old & the 4 1/2 yo goes in tomorrow for an EGD), it gets difficult to get work done much less tractor/garage work.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I have a good list of things to check that should cover everything. I'll keep you updated.

...Derek

DocHeb · Feb 1, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

( Unfortunately, the pages that you attached are not legible due to the resolution(?) of the scan. )

How embarassing - poor quality work - being obsessive-compulsive, I am so sorry. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Hope these can help, page one attached.

DocHeb · Feb 1, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Page 2.

DocHeb · Feb 1, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Page 3. I lost a lot of resolution dropping a 1200kB scan down to <100kB file. Try Right clicking on the opened attachment and then printing it.

drm · Feb 1, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Chris,

Thanks for resending the attachemnts. Much easier to read.

Thanks...Derek

drm · Feb 5, 2005

Re: HELP - My TC33DA Won\'t Start

Thanks to all of the suggestions. It turned out to be a loose/wet wiring connection down low on the tractor. Sorry it took so long to get back. It has been a very hectic week. I called the dealer about the PTO safety light on Monday; he did not have any additional advice.

While on the phone I went over some other issues. He picked it up Wed since we were not forecasted to get snow for a while. Of course we got 2" on Thursday but it melted. I was surprised that he acted so fast to correct some warranty problems that I felt were minor. Was going to wait for the 50 hour service (have 42 hours) since it was included in the purchase price. He even got new bolts and parts for the front under the battery that were damaged by the battery overflowing. The battery cells were evidently overfilled per dealer.

I know this was an old problem but I thought it was taken care of by NH using different batteries / correcting an overcharging problem. Anyone have any recent problems. I have a TC33DA that I purchased October of ’04.

...Derek