JD 3005 keeps dying

CharlieM66 · Jan 20, 2012

Does anybody know why my 3005 keeps dying while I'm operating. Seems like it doesn't start dying until I have been using awhile and it gets warmed up real good. I simply turn key off, put in neutral, and re-start. It turns over a few times and starts right back off. Could run another 5 minutes or 30 minutes but then it dies again. I've been keeping up with all maintenance but still doing it. I've done everything but take it to the dealer. It's 4 years old and less than 200 hours. Any ideas?

RoyJackson · Jan 21, 2012

Welcome to TBN!!

That is an odd one...especially for a 3005!!

When your 3005 cuts out, does it just stop? Or, does it sputter a bit before the engine stalls?
Does it start right back up?
How long has this been going on? Are you using the PTO when this happens?

Initially, I thought you had a fuel problem...water in the fuel (checked the water seperator?) or something (maybe in the fuel tank) that is causing a momentary blockage.
However, neither of those would (I think) occur only after the tractor warms up.

Next, check out your safety switch under the seat (easiest one to get to) to ensure the wires are connected tightly. There's also neutral and PTO safety switches. I don't recall where they're located. If you have the service manual, it has a schematic and test procedure for those switches.
You wrote that you "have done everything but take it to the dealer". What have you tried, so far?

arrow · Jan 21, 2012

I recall someone else complaining about this. That problem had to do with a bad ground intermittently cutting out the engine at no specified time.

CharlieS · Jan 21, 2012

It's quite possible the fuel tank cap vent is plugged. Loosen the cap to assure there's airflow into the tank. If the problem goes away replace/repair the cap.
Change fuel filter, if you got some bad fuel it could be blocked and when not running sediment settles to the bottom of the filter allowing it to run until system pressure/flow sucks all the trash back up into the filter surfaces.

Jerry/MT · Jan 21, 2012

CharlieM66 said:
Does anybody know why my 3005 keeps dying while I'm operating. Seems like it doesn't start dying until I have been using awhile and it gets warmed up real good. I simply turn key off, put in neutral, and re-start. It turns over a few times and starts right back off. Could run another 5 minutes or 30 minutes but then it dies again. I've been keeping up with all maintenance but still doing it. I've done everything but take it to the dealer. It's 4 years old and less than 200 hours. Any ideas?

A diesel engine in reasonable mechanical condition needs only fuel and a a starter to start and run. You appear to have that some of the time.

I'm not familiar with all the interlocks on your tractor but check all the switches and all the wiring for the fuel shut off solenoid. A loose wire or connection could be causing your problem. Check the battery ground connection also.

Thiough your symptoms don't appear fuel related, if the electrics check out, look for partial blockage in the fuel system (tank strainer, water separator, etc), or air leak into the fuel line, blocked tank vent,etc . maake sure the fuel delivery lines are all snug . A partial blockage would provide enough fuel flow for a start and perod of times of running. What ambient temperatures are you operating at?

CharlieM66 · Jan 23, 2012

Usually when it starts to die, it just dies without sputtering. Sometimes it will start to die and then just kick back in and keep going. When it does die, it will start right back up. I have to turn over a few times though before it does. We've been in a drought for about a year so havent used a whole lot, but I'm gonna say been happening the last few times I used it. Does it with and without using PTO. Yes, checked water seperator. It starts happening when the engine temperature needle rises just an 1/8 of an inch. Have not checked any safety switches, don't think thats it but will check just in case. Have not really done anything "mechanical" to check it out. Just changed every filter and lubricant it has. I went and talked to mechanic at John Deere and they all say its fuel filter, but I've changed them twice.

I'm going to dig in and check all switches and grounds, and definitely fuel cap. Think this is where problem is.

Thanks for your help fellas. Will report back when problem is fixed.

RoyJackson · Jan 23, 2012

Since you wrote you haven't used it much...how old is the fuel? Or, did you put fresh fuel in there?
Diesel fuel is more stable the gasoline, but can develop a bacteriological contaminant.

murphy1244 · Jan 23, 2012

There is a bad ground in there, check your ground wires.

kencunningham · Jan 24, 2012

I remember reading a post a couple years ago where someone had a bee in there tank and it caused this same problem. It would run for awhile and the bee would get sucked to the outlet of the tank and then the tractor would quit. Once the engine stopped the bee would float back away from the outlet and it would work until the bee got sucked down again. Not saying this is your problem, but it sure wouldnt hurt to take a good look inside your tank. Good Luck.

truimage · May 21, 2013

CharlieM66,
just wondering if and what you found with your 3005 stalling problem. Recently had the same problem. I thought it was going to be the ectric shut off solenoid on the pump but no such luck. I had a good look at the switch and wiring for the seat switch and even bypassed to to check but still stalls. It seems to act alot how you explained your problem, no particular reason or time interval and unit restarts.
Just wondering if you found the fix if it was a wiring problem.
thanks
ppbeukema@yahoo.com