The tach on my 3038E has stopped working reliably. More than half the time when I start the tractor, the tachometer will indicate 0 RPMs. After some time (as little as a minute to as long as an hour) it will start working. And once it starts working, it will continue to work until I shut the engine down. The local JD mechanic says it is most likely a faulty tach and estimates $350 to replace. I bought the tractor new 3 years ago and have 300 hours on it. This is my first tractor and I went with JD because I thought I was getting a reliable machine. Anyone else have this problem? Would appreciate any thoughts.
JD 3038E Tachometer Problem
- Thread starter shipmanc
- Start date
- Views: 17074
-
- Tags
- john deere 3038e
Dave M7040
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2012
- Messages
- 2,757
- Location
- Williamstown Ontario Canada
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040 Nuffield 465
A little on line reading reveals you have a computer controlled engine not unlike a modern car.
This means the info to drive the tachometer is likely being generated by the computer and not by a mechanical drive or by a signal from the alternator.
Unless you can find an obviously loose wire, which is unlikely, having a dealer fix it will avoid unnecessary replacement of expensive parts in a search for a solution.
The more technologically involved an engine get the less the average or even knowledgeable owner can do to fix them.
Dave M7040
This means the info to drive the tachometer is likely being generated by the computer and not by a mechanical drive or by a signal from the alternator.
Unless you can find an obviously loose wire, which is unlikely, having a dealer fix it will avoid unnecessary replacement of expensive parts in a search for a solution.
The more technologically involved an engine get the less the average or even knowledgeable owner can do to fix them.
Dave M7040
Daves3032E
Silver Member
My 2013 3032e does the same thing. If I smack the dash the tach operates as it should. I believe this to be an electrical connection issue. Hasn't bothered me enough to investigate it any further.
nikdfish
Platinum Member
Same thing happens on our 2010 3038e occasionally. A smack on the panel sometimes does the trick - sometimes a stop/restart does, other times it starts in its own after a minute ir so. Never had it not eventually start working.
If it ever gets persistant, I would probably look into reseating any/all connectors I could reach related to the instrument panel, accompanied by a good spritz of polymer safe contact cleaner like Deoxit.
Nick
If it ever gets persistant, I would probably look into reseating any/all connectors I could reach related to the instrument panel, accompanied by a good spritz of polymer safe contact cleaner like Deoxit.
Nick
turp22
New member
This is the exact problem I have except tapping around the dashboard doesn't change mine at all. Just started a couple of months ago and the weird part is that the hour meter is combined with the tach and the hour meter works just fine. I'll try to get to the back of it sooner or later but it sure seems like a common problem.
mcfarmall
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2015
- Messages
- 1,483
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Tractor
- Kubota M5660, Farmall C, JD 260 lawn tractor
F.I.L.'s 3038e does the same thing...doesn't seem to be related to hot/cold-dry/humid conditions or otherwise. Just works sometimes and not sometimes.