L3130 won't start, PTO warning

cs6000 · Oct 4, 2012

Just went out to start the L3130 HST. When I turn the key on, the symbol showing the PTO is engaged lights up, but the PTO is NOT engaged. The tractor then will not start. When I turn the key-- "PTO" flashes. If I back off the key, but leave it turned on the displays reads "depress-clutch-pto-neutal", I believe. The tractor is in neutral, and I do depress the clutch before starting, like always.

For further knowledge the last couple days I've had an issue with the brush hog that is attached. If I raise it up, it doesn't want to go back down. As best I can tell, the PTO shaft was getting sticky, and was very slow to slide apart, if you know what I mean. I've been working on it trying to get it greased well. The zerks seem clogged, so I've been using my ZerkZapper to get some Kroil in their to loosed things up. Can't find a torch, but I also just used a block heater over the zerk for a little while, which seems to have helped to allow me to get some Kroil in there. Have not used the brush hog, just moved the tractor a couple of times.

Wondering if somehow the sticky pto shaft has affected something? I've tried moving the PTO lever back and forth, of course, but it will not clear the light on the dash. Any ideas?

KennyV · Oct 4, 2012

Locate the actual Switch at the pto, measure it with an ohm meter to determine that it is still working... KennyV

Don87 · Oct 4, 2012

Safety switch ?

cs6000 · Oct 4, 2012

KennyV said:
Locate the actual Switch at the pto, measure it with an ohm meter to determine that it is still working... KennyV

This got my attention. Aside from the fact that I don't have an Ohm meter or know how to use one, I had seen something odd near the switch.
I hope these photos load.
In photo 1 you can see the PTO switch and the housing over it. I noticed the open green connector, but no wires leading away from it. Not sure what this is, thought maybe a seatbelt warning that the previous owner unhooked.

When you lift away the housing, you can see inside it looks like something has chewed up some blue wires. Lots of mice and rats around. Looks like one has carried some acorns in there sometime. Because of the one wire still in place, this is as high as I could lift the housing. Should I cut the remaining wire and then try to rewire the thing?
Do those white connectors theoretically pull apart? Those things never work for me.
This look like the culprit?

One view from the front. I cannot get the connectors apart so far, any hints?