JD 4110 Second bad starter solenoid, could A1 controller be the problem?

ronbodkin · Jan 22, 2011

Started the tractor today and was letting it run to warm up. I got back on the seat and as soon as I sat down the machine shut down, black smoke came from the engine compartment and it smelled electrical.

Background: About a year ago I was having problems with some acsessory work lights I jiggled the wire while the machine was running and same thing happened. Engine shut down, electrical smoke...wouldn't start.

That time, I bought a manual, educated myself and traced the problem to the starting solenoid and a blown fuse. I replaced both and the tractor has been running since then, but has been fickle about starting, I have to play with all the safety switches. Shift in and out of neutral, lights on the off etc, and eventually it starts. All this seems to be worse when it is cold, and it is cold today.

The starter solenoid looks like the problem again, There is black goop from the solenoid on the wire that go into it.

Should I replace the solenoid and the A1 controller this time? Could there be a short somewhere else that is the real problem? How would I figure this out?

RalphVa · Jan 23, 2011

Wow! Hopefully Kenny or some other 41xx owners will chime in. Haven't had such problems with my 4010.

You do know about how the glow plugs work on these, right? The glow plugs are actuated half way between "on" and "start" on the ignition switch. This is impossible to determine without a light on the dash. Another way to actuate is by turning the PTO switch on or leave the range lever in "L" or "H" and turn the ignition switch all the way to "start" and hold it for about 6 seconds. Then move the PTO switch to off or range lever to "N" to start. Starts in about 1/2 turn of the crankshaft then. Our 240D did this for 25 years, too, but it had a light on the dash to show when it was ready to start. Our 2010 TDI has a little light on the dash, but we usually ignore it and just go to "start". It starts on about the first 1/2 turn, too.

I never let my 4010 sit warming up. I just start and go, usually staying below about 2,000 rpm for the first few minutes.

Ralph

ronbodkin · Jan 23, 2011

Thanks. Yes I do know about the glow plugs and I do use them when it is cold, but normally I just go straight to start with no problem. I did use them on this day, though. I didn't know about the alternative way of activating them though.

kennyd · Jan 23, 2011

Welcome to TBN Ron

Sorry to hear of your troubles! I have had ZERO problems with my 4110, and I suspect somewhere in your wiring harness is a short, possibly a chaffed or chewed (mice?) wire that is causing your problems. Is the machine stored outside?

ronbodkin · Jan 23, 2011

At the moment it is stored outside but, that is only because I can't start. Normally it is in a barn. I traced every wire I could see pretty carefully the first time this happened and didn't see any chafed wires or obvious shorts.

That is why I suspect the A1 controller. I would just love to be more confident that there was not some wiring problem. I haven't priced the controller yet but I'm not expecting it to be cheap from JD. I'd hate to replace it, only to fry the new one with another problem.