John Deere 430 died while mowing

[canucklehead]

Our JD 430 has a Yanmar diesel. My son was cutting grass and it just died. Won't turn over, nothing. Could I have blown a fuse, or where should I be checking? It doesn't turn over (almost like starter, but it was running when it died, so I can't see it being the starter).

thanks!!

 

[Wolfy]

Check the negative battery cable, the bolts must be super tight.

 

[beenthere]

The diesel likely has a fuel shutoff solenoid that caused it to shutdown. Search here for that solenoid and see if you can pick up on what/how you can check it out.

May be a loose wire, or a thermistor, or.....??

Do you have the tech manual? If going to work on it yourself, might be a good excuse to get one (roughly $70).

 

[canucklehead]

good call Wolfy...it was very loose. I tightened them up, but no difference.

the positive cable from battery goes directly to the starter. so how do i start troubleshooting?

 

[canucklehead]

I get no sound at all when I try to start it. I don't even hear a click sound.

I don't have a manual, only parts manual and owner's manual.

 

[Deere Dude]

I had a 455 which was right after the 430/430 era, if i remember right. The tractor just died and I had to go to work. But my wife snooped around and found a bad fuse under the side panel. Maybe the same set up might be in a previous 430? If the battery is good, I would check that and also the seat switch. Make sure that is plugged in.

 

[beenthere]

Here is a look at what the fuel shutoff solenoid looks like. Left side of engine. Might check for voltage at the leads. A wiring schematic could give you more to check. It might be the same as the 455. Not sure.

Another thread on this possibility.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/124409-john-deere-f935-fuel-shut.html

 

[zzvyb6]

But he says IT DOESN'T CRANK. If fuel supply or lack of fuel was the problem it would crank and maybe sputter without starting.

If the neg post connector was loose, the battery may be cold dead. If you jump it, 1/2 the current may go to the dead battery so it will struggle to crank. Put a charger on the battery overnite and try it again in the morning.

 

[beenthere]

zz
I may be off on the wrong tangent, I'll admit.

My understanding is that if the fuel shutoff solenoid doesn't function, it won't allow the starter to crank the engine. I was (am) assuming that is why it doesn't CRANK.

But without some checking, we won't know any more than we do now.

Here are a couple fuel shutoff solenoid copies that may help. One tells about how it works in the system, and the other some checkpoints.

 

[canucklehead]

great info guys. I'll poke around tomorrow. Something like a seat safety switch or fuse makes a lot of sense. It would cause it to die while running, and not turn over or make a peep when trying to start. AND...I'm hoping it's that easy!!

I charged the battery with this electronic type charger that displays error codes if the battery is pooched (such as "internal shorted cell"). I got no codes and it charged quite fast. It did not fix the problem.

I'll keep plugging away and post my fix when I find it.

 

[canucklehead]

not sure what happened.

after all of this, our battery symbol did not display on the dash, but we got the glow plug light and another light to display with the key turned on. but no crank noise at all, no click... nothing.

so i removed battery and checked the only 2 fuses I could locate (both blade style); they were fine. I wiggled a few wires that looked suspect. pushed a couple of wires further onto terminals. I removed one relay and plugged it back in (I thot it might have fuses, but it was a solid relay). then i put battery back on, and saw the battery icon/symbol illuminate. I thot.. hmmm And VOILA... it starts and runs fine.

wish I knew more.kinda glad it was relatively easy, but still not 100% sure what fixed it.

 

[beenthere]

Fixed is fixed, and now you have a clue (and may help if it happens again ) :drink:

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You rebooted your tractor.....Works for computers.....!

 

[Egon]

Think about going back, cleaning all the fuse and relay contacts and use some dielectric grease on them before reassembly. do the same for all the safety switch contacts and battery connections.

May be unneeded work but never hurts.

 

[pat32rf]

I once got a stick caught under my JD4300 which wedged into a safety kill switch somehow. I could see it up there but couldn't reach it with the tractor sitting on the bush. had to walk back to the barn and get a set of pruning snips, which now stay in my toolbox.

 

[canucklehead]

I know mine should have some kind of a seat safety switch, but it was bypassed/disconnected before I got it. I haven't figured out where those wires are. I don't care if the seat switch is hooked up, but i'd like to know where to check that connection if I have this problem again.

 

[pat32rf]

In my case it was either the "PTO engaged " or "in gear" (hydro pedal pushed) switch that wouldn't let me re-start. The seat switch lasted about 4hrs after delivery....

 

[canucklehead]

The seat switch lasted about 4hrs after delivery....

:laughing::thumbsup: too funny!! I had an older POS Craftsman riding mower, maybe 15HP Briggs & Stratton. Some guy didn't buy it from me because he was concerned that I'd bypassed the seat safety switch!!:confused2: I can't imagine being that drunk or paranoid that a low speed lawn mowing job would have those kinds of safety concerns to me.

 

[pat32rf]

My land is mostly rock and hills. When the unit was delivered I counldn't figure out why the engine would momentarily cut out while going over rough ground. (or why the tractor seemed to ride so rough). I soon decided that I didn't need 30psi in my unloaded rear tires. In fact by lowering them to 10-15psi I could stay in the seat without bouncing up and down and having the seat switch cut out.
I then found that without the switch I could stand up for a better view over the hood when trying to "hook" or "nudge" things with the FEL around the shop and flower/rock gardens.
Now I'm finding in my old age that its a LOT easier changing implements if I can reach over to the go-pedal and move "Johnie" ahead or back one inch instead of climbing up into the seat to do it.

On a -20C morning when everything is covered in snow, the first thing I do is reach over and hit the key, then let it warm up before I climb onto that cold seat.....

I do agree that on a "gearshift" unit, the seat switch, is a DEFINITE safety feature, but on a hydro unit that STOPS when your foot is raised its of dubious value.

 

[beenthere]

We used gearshift tractors for many years without a seat switch.

And "yes", there were some knuckleheads that needed it.

Less dangerous than many who get behind the steering wheel of a car and get on the highway (or for that matter beyond the driveway).