John Deere 3046r Error Code Plague

[mikestern]

Hi, I've got a 2014 JD 3046r with 500 hours on it. I've been having small issues with it since the beginning. The errors are intermittent though and they never last long enough to properly diagnose. JD themselves have had a hard time finding anything wrong.

Errors
Frequent:
PTH A 91.09 (Throttle Sensor Abnormal Update Rate)
2017.09 (Abnormal Update Rate ICC CAN Transmission enable signal abnormal update rate or lost)
190.09 (Engine Speed Abnormal Update Rate Engine speed data is missing or abnormal update rate over CAN network)
110.09 (can't find information on this one)

Infrequent:
ICC A 247.09 (Engine Total Hours of Operation, Abnormal Update Rate)
ECU A 5226 19.09 (can't find information on this one)

Beyond that, oftentimes the battery icon comes on and the tractor keeps running but revs down and no longer drives. A few seconds or minutes later, it kicks back in and works again. Sometimes any number of these things will happen back to back to back to back and then other times it won't happen for 6 months.

Situations:
- Not every time, but oftentimes, shifting in or out of 4WD will fix the issue and then I can go on my merry way.
- Also occasionally, it seems like this happens when I am on bumpy ground, this is not definitive though.

Where do I start in trying to once and for all fix this? It seems like I might have multiple things going on but I am not even sure where to start.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[K5lwq]

I believe I would start with cleaning every ground I could find and make sure there is a solid connection. Then I would check every wiring connector for corrosion and solid connection. Most intermittent issues with ECMs is a bad connection somewhere.

 

[mikestern]

I believe I would start with cleaning every ground I could find and make sure there is a solid connection. Then I would check every wiring connector for corrosion and solid connection. Most intermittent issues with ECMs is a bad connection somewhere.

Thanks K5!

Any suggestions on how to systematically go about doing this? I can see the grounds next to the battery, then I see major junctions and such, but everything is so tightly wound in there I am not sure where to look and work my way through everything. Are there wiring diagrams for this model that would help me identify the specific places to check?

 

[K5lwq]

No problem. A wiring diagram will probably be of little help in this case. I would start at the battery and work my way back. Look at every sensor wire and follow the wires. It is not a fun process but very likely you will find the problem.

But getting the service manual is a great idea for future issues. It should contain a wiring diagram as well.

 

[Mike1955]

I believe I would start with cleaning every ground I could find and make sure there is a solid connection. Then I would check every wiring connector for corrosion and solid connection. Most intermittent issues with ECMs is a bad connection somewhere.

If it’s under warranty I would stay out of it and make them fix it. It their job

 

[K5lwq]

If it’s under warranty I would stay out of it and make them fix it. It their job

9 year old tractor probable is not under warranty but if that is the case then I might would make them fix it. Except according to the OP, the dealer has not been able to find the problem. I certainly would not wait forever for a solution.

 

[mikestern]

It's been 2 years since I created this post and I continue to have these issues.

I have determined that most of the error codes are fixed when I shift in and out of 4WD. Any idea why that would occur?

Today's problem is back to the one that has been around the longest... The battery icon.

The battery icon comes on and the tractor keeps running but revs down and no longer drives. A few seconds or minutes later, it kicks back in and works again.

I follow the battery ground back and am measuring over 13v at each junction back to a plate where the battery lines then distribute everywhere. I don't see any issues. Trouble is that, from there, everything is so tight that there is practically no way to review every wire.

Can anyone comment on how to systematically go through the wires and grounds? I don't even know where to look for these? Obviously the front ground by the battery is easy to find but where would I find others?

Thanks ahead for any help that can be given!

 

[dodge man]

I’m going to assume you have load tested the battery? I own a Dodge Challenger and on a forum for those a person posted a similar problem, weird electrical issues and eventually posted a picture of a bundle of frayed wires. It was mouse damage. I’m sure he just crawled all over the car before he found it. I’d say you’re going to have to do that with your tractor. You might try the Grenntractortalk forum also, it’s mostly J.D. stuff.

 

[mikestern]

I’m going to assume you have load tested the battery? I own a Dodge Challenger and on a forum for those a person posted a similar problem, weird electrical issues and eventually posted a picture of a bundle of frayed wires. It was mouse damage. I’m sure he just crawled all over the car before he found it. I’d say you’re going to have to do that with your tractor. You might try the Grenntractortalk forum also, it’s mostly J.D. stuff.

Hi Dodge Man,
Yes, I've load tested the battery and tried another battery as well. I've cleaned the main ground next to the battery and the fusible link connections and added dielectric grease.

I have been searching and have found signs of mice. Ugh.

Would something like the attached actually cause this issue? One wire is chewed a bit. But it doesn't look like the wire is making contact with anything, so would that even cause the issue?

Thanks!

 

[dodge man]

If I zoom in on your picture that wire looks a little corroded but I’m not sure. The outer wrap being gone isn’t an immediate problem but I’d fix any damaged wire with a new splice and rewrap it. If you have that wire damaged there is a good chance you have more. It can be a ***** to find because it can be hidden sometimes.