Intermittent stalling

turbotime · Dec 14, 2008

Hey guys I do snow blowing with the 3520 and have been getting this problem lately.
All is good, until the thing just dies, then I crank for about 10 full seconds and it starts right back up.

That day it did about 7 times, each 20-40 minutes apart. Any suggestions?

Also, I had our 2nd 3520 out at night, and I noticed my headlights+worklights dimmed all of a sudden, so i look down an the Tach and it's at "0". Seconds later everything is normal.

These machines are worrying me a lot lately. Warranty just ran out too

Don't get me wrong they're awesome, but I don't want deere to have to split the machine again for a little sensor, especially since warranty is done...

kennyd · Dec 14, 2008

I would suspect a bad or intermittent seat switch on the first unit. When the PTO is engaged, the engine will die instantly when the seat detects the operator has left the seat.

The second unit may be a loose connection somewhere? Battery cables possibly?

dirtworksequip · Dec 14, 2008

What were the climate temps like the day it was quiting? Do you use an anti gel fuel treatment? 10 second cranking time seems long on a warmed up tractor. Could be a fuel problem?

If Kennyd's diagnosis is correct about the seat switch, then try the following. Locate the seat switch and put a jumper wire across the seat switch. Now no matter what the switch will not shut the tractor down. If the tractor acts up again and shuts down, you will have to look else where. If the problem goes away with the jumper wire in place. Replace the seat saftey switch.

Problem No. 2. I'd clean the battery terminals,check electrolyte levels and check the alternator voltage and battery output. Low voltage would probably be why your tach dropped to zero. Computors need full voltage to work properly. I wouldn't be too concerned about this problem unless it is presistant. It may have just been a one time event.

Also since you have 2 tractors you could switch the seat switches and see if that changes the problem to the other machine. Switching batteries between tractors would also tell you if one battery is going bad if the dim lights/tach problem switches tractors, but switching batteries in sort of a pain.

Sinerely, Dirt

nmu98 · Dec 14, 2008

I am thinking about the same as Dirt. I think the engine is losing its prime. Have you changed filters lately? Might the filter housing not be tight? Is the cap on your fuel tank tight? is the vent on the fuel cap working? When it stalls, is there fuel in the fuel bowl?

turbotime · Dec 14, 2008

Thanks for all the help!
Went out for another run today, it still did it (Although a lot less than usual). No errors show on the display when she quits.

I left it at idle outside today when I came home, and when I went back out it had stalled, under no load...

Wouldn't there be a code showing if it was the seat sensor? Anyways, I'll be checking all of the above, thanks again guys.

nmu98 · Dec 14, 2008

turbotime said:
Thanks for all the help!
Went out for another run today, it still did it (Although a lot less than usual). No errors show on the display when she quits.

I left it at idle outside today when I came home, and when I went back out it had stalled, under no load...

Wouldn't there be a code showing if it was the seat sensor? Anyways, I'll be checking all of the above, thanks again guys.

If it stalled without the PTO engaged, then its not your seat sensor.

dirtworksequip · Dec 14, 2008

Check all your fuses to make sure they are tight. I had a fuse holder that let the fuse make contact about 92 % of the time. The other 8% of the time when the fuse lost contact the engine acted as though it was getting fuel and would quit running. Drove me nuts for a week before I finally trace down the problem.
If it quit while just sitting there. I'd say also that it probably isn't the seat switch.
When you were working it and it quite, how did it act? Lose power and then quit or act like someone just pulled the plug?
Sincerely, Dirt

blueriver · Dec 14, 2008

turbotime said:
Thanks for all the help!
Went out for another run today, it still did it (Although a lot less than usual). No errors show on the display when she quits.

I left it at idle outside today when I came home, and when I went back out it had stalled, under no load...

Wouldn't there be a code showing if it was the seat sensor? Anyways, I'll be checking all of the above, thanks again guys.

I am south of you .... just a little. I am by no means a specialist, I am thinking just maybe perhaps ... the intake is sucking snow and moisture ??? Just a southern thought ...

turbotime · Dec 14, 2008

Hey Dirt. It's as if you turned the key off. The odd time on re-startup, it will choke a little, and quit, and then startup fine after that. Still haven't checked anything, we're getting freezing rain and I may be heading out soon for that.

Hopefully I'll be able to find the problem