JD 500 'professional mower' starting issue

[guyd]

Hi guys,

I have a mower (yeah yeah) that has a starting issue. Im posting here as the groundscare forums dont know the answer, and Im hoping the Hive Mind of the TBN world might come up with a solution (as its a JD and a diesel)

I have an error code 3-4 which implies 'starting circuit shorted to battery'.

I can clear the code by not occupying the seat, and not having handbrake on. As soon as I do either of these, the code returns. With no code, the glow plugs work. With code, no . glow plugs. Neither way can I get it to start as it isnt firing the fuel solenoid (as it shouldnt without seat and handbrake on - but as soon as i do this I get this error)

I cant find a wiring diagram anywhere, and belive me Ive looked. Loal JD dealership is trying to get one for me from some dusty archive (1994 vintage).

Any thoughts? Its driving me mad - drove in fine, now wont start in the garage.

Thanks guys

 

[Diggin It]

drove in fine, now wont start in the garage.

How long ago?

 

[radios1]

are you sure you have the model right?. pictures of the JD500 is here. John Deere JD500, Pictures Page

 

[guyd]

A week or two ago it was fine.

Yes - its a 500 - a rebranded 'sabo roberine' - the very generic sounding name makes finding out about it harder

 

[beenthere]

Like this one with the Yanmar engine?
Roberine 5, 22 hp yanmar diesel engine - YouTube

Google the engine number and look for a Yanmar pdf file with that number.

 

[Diggin It]

Believe it or not, a week or two is plenty of time for mice to chew things. If you know all of the levers, pedals and whatevers are in their proper position and switches activated, it may be time to start looking for chewed or frayed wires.

While in that process, check all connectors for anything that may be cracked or partially disconnected.

 

[Diggin It]

What I see as a 'sabo roberine 5' is a rear engine diesel?

 

[Dutch445]

looks like you are in UK, and the unit you are referring to is probably not common here to many of us in North America,
but,
have you disconnected the power lead to the starter to eliminate that being shorted out?

 

[guyd]

Yes - exactly that model in the video link

 

[guyd]

Fair enough - I know there are mice in the area. I have been wiggling wires etc like you wouldnt belive - but maybe you have a good point

 

[groundcover]

Check your grounds as well. They can reek havoc .

 

[radios1]

'starting circuit shorted to battery' is the clue!. look here!. Troubleshooting

 

[guyd]

Check your grounds as well. They can reek havoc .

thanks - I have noted a 200ohm resistance in the earth wire to battery - so have made a new earth - didnt help.

 

[guyd]

'starting circuit shorted to battery' is the clue!. look here!. Troubleshooting

Thanks - thats where I found the code....

I managed to take off the main power relay, and powered it up - it gave me a new error code - 3-8 which isnt listed anywhere I can find....

 

[guyd]

Thanks - thats where I found the code....

I managed to take off the main power relay, and powered it up - it gave me a new error code - 3-8 which isnt listed anywhere I can find....

I bought the 2500 manual online - and this does list this error code as main power fail. Its not the same machine, but is similar. Might be the oil pressure switch weirdly

 

[radios1]

I saw a post by someone that had a similar problem, and it turned out water had gotten into a connector, once he brought the mower to the dealer, the problem disappeared by itself just by time..