LS XR4040 Shuts Down

beer_hunter · Oct 10, 2022

Good morning all. I've been lurking for years, too intimidated to post but gleaned a LOT of information from this forum. Thank you to all of you for your posts over the years.

Short version - Flashing Red Exclaimation Point in Triangle is on and won't allow tractor to turn over.

Details-
I have a 2015 LS XR4040. I bought it used in late 2018. At that time it had 100 hours on it. I use it to maintain food plots for deer, among other things. It currently has 412 hours.
Yesterday I was clearing up some old trash and debris from a lot. I ran the tractor for about an hour and a half with no warnings or issues. Tractor has run great for me. I jumped off the tractor to load some smaller metal onto the forks and while I was in front of the tractor (about a minute after I got off) it stalled. I didn't have parking brake on, so I assumed it may have rolled a bit or something and seat pressure switch shut it down. However, when I got back on, the red exclamation point in the triangle (lower left of instrument panel) was flashing and it wouldn't turn over. When you turn the key, you'll see the glow plug indicator turn on and a few seconds later you'll hear a "tick" and the glowplug light goes out and the triangle starts flashing. If I turn key off and turn it back to start it will turn over and start, only to be shut off immediately. I'm assuming the ECU is reading a fault somewhere, but there's no way for me to understand what fault I'm dealing with. I'm hoping someone here knows a bit about it because my local dealer isn't very helpful because I didn't buy the tractor from him. (I just got it back from them a week ago after he repaired the front axle seal.)
I'm hoping the one thing I found from the manual (purge water from fuel filter) is all it needs, but property and tractor are 45 minutes away so I'd like to get a list of things to check before I head back out there. Thanks in advance for any info.

RjCorazza · Oct 10, 2022

Does your tractor monitor the sediment filter for water? My non-LS tractor does not, but that would sure be an easy fix for you.
I'm sure an LS owner will chime in on the sediment bowl, and possibly a method for reading specific error codes if the dash is capable of reporting them.
Good luck.

Avenger · Oct 10, 2022

Sounds like there is definitely a code, just need to know what it is. On the dash, there should be an "F" code and an "S" code. Both are helpful in determining what might be going on.

3gunr · Oct 10, 2022

My buddy has an LS xr 4140 and his shut down this past summer when the radiator got plugged and the air filter was dirty also i believe his threw a code though,

beer_hunter · Oct 10, 2022

Hey all, just wanted to update you. I went back out to property, turned the key on, and no warning light. I cleaned air filter and radiator screen. Both had fine dust so I'm ordering new air filter. (Inside filter looked good). I ran it for an hour or so without issue. I'm assuming it's temperature related, but I don't know. I'll bring it home give her a bath and change oil. Hopefully just a one time thing. Thanks for the feedback.

Cycledude · Oct 10, 2022

Sounds like it might be a safety switch issue, was there some reason you didn’t set the parking brake before you got out of the seat ? Did you set the parking brake before attempting to start the tractor ?

beer_hunter · Oct 10, 2022

When it originally stalled, I did not have brake set.....laziness I guess. When I attempted to restart I had brake on, gear selector and Fwd/Rev in neutral. I tried hopping on seat and nothing changed. I feel like it's some sort of temperature sensor. That's the only thing I can think of that changed from yesterday to today.

Cycledude · Oct 11, 2022

beer_hunter said:
When it originally stalled, I did not have brake set.....laziness I guess. When I attempted to restart I had brake on, gear selector and Fwd/Rev in neutral. I tried hopping on seat and nothing changed. I feel like it's some sort of temperature sensor. That's the only thing I can think of that changed from yesterday to today.

Mine has never shut itself off. My 4155 starts beeping very loud as soon as I get off the seat if the parking brake isn’t locked. However I do on rare occasions forget to take it out of gear. So far I really like those safety features.

Bobrown14 · Oct 12, 2022

Cycledude said:
Sounds like it might be a safety switch issue, was there some reason you didn’t set the parking brake before you got out of the seat ? Did you set the parking brake before attempting to start the tractor ?

This ^^^ I have an LS tractor that did that several times after I got it with 10hrs on it. I fixed it by sitting down HARD on the seat with tractor turned off. Never happened again after that.

If you get off the seat without the parking brake set it will turn off after a short period of time.

beer_hunter · Oct 13, 2022

Bobrown14 said:
If you get off the seat without the parking brake set it will turn off after a short period of time.

That would explain it shutting off initially. Are you suggesting it might be a seat sensor that wouldn't allow it to start? I figured the seat sensor would be overridden if the parking brake was set. Recapping for clarity - after it shut down I sat on the seat, set the parking brake, and it still would not start. (Glow plug would warm but after a few seconds it would stop and flash the exclamation point.)

Eagle1 · Oct 13, 2022

You have the ECM reading a critical error, hence the RED error. It would prudent to read the error code from either dash (will not identify the exact code but point in the right direction) or via a scan tool. Everything else is just a WAG.

Cycledude · Oct 14, 2022

I’m also wondering if possibly the PTO switch is defective or accidentally got moved to the on position, I’m pretty sure that will cause the red light and no start situation. Similar thing happened to a very mechanically inclined friend so he turned the PTO switch on and off a bunch of times but still no start, called dealer out and when dealer attempted to start tractor it started instantly, no charge and dealer said if it happens again he will replace the PTO switch under warranty, that was a couple years ago and so far it has never happened again.

beer_hunter · Oct 19, 2022

Just an update - I intend to have it scanned but getting it to a dealership isn't easy so I was hoping to see if anyone else had an issue here. I used it to clean up a lot and never had another issue. (After I cleaned out the air filter) I then hooked up the brush hog and did some mowing of some pasture ground....about 2-3 acres. I was about 90% done and it shut itself down again. No warning, PTO engaged, while moving. Just dead stop and flashes the warning light. The temp guage was normal the entire time. I cleaned out the prescreen in front of the radiator, knocked the dust out of the air filter, and found some debris inside the air filter canister that I had missed previously. Tractor started right back up and I finished mowing. I'm not saying it's ideal, but wanted to share what worked for me in case someone else experiences the issue. I'll report back when the code is run.

beer_hunter · Jan 4, 2023

Hey all, I just wanted to come back and update. I tried a number of things - new fuel, new air filter, remove water from fuel thumb screw (did not appear to be anything but diesel) and I even replaced the fuel lifter pump (the ticker pump you hear before ignition.) After all of it, still would run and then die, seemingly at random. So I broke down and took it in. Just got the call - ECU needs to be replaced. I know I am not the only one who has had to replace this, but $3000 to fix after 400 hours seems like a costly repair for what I've gotten out of it. Worse, I'm not be assured it will not happen again. Has anyone else replaced their ECU? What was your experience? Has anyone had to do it twice?

airboene696867 · Feb 5, 2024

Beer_hunter: Check it out brother The fuel cutoff solenoid which is located on the left side of the injector pump. It has 2 harnesses coming off of it. The 2 wire connector is for the actual cutoff switch and the 3 wire connector is for what is called a pressure sensor according to the Japanese website, which is a safety mechanism of the tractor. The dealership won't sell you the cheap sensor because it is recessed about a 1/4" into the OEM cutoff valve. That little sensor isn't held by and LS dealer including the mfg. I've been on the hunt myself to avoid the $1100 dollar charge for a OEM replacement. Screw it bypass the pressure sensor that's doing it and keep on keeping on. Maybe that'll help you out some. Good luck brother.

JohnT3383 · Feb 5, 2024

Yo, airboene696867 - nice post, thank you very much!

JohnT3383 · Feb 5, 2024

I wonder how long I'm gonna be a new member... until I post 2k times? ; - ))

George2615 · Feb 5, 2024

JohnT3383 said:
I wonder how long I'm gonna be a new member... until I post 2k times? ; - ))

Member Title - Number of Posts
New Member - 0
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1 of U · Feb 9, 2024

boy that old timer is older than dirt ...

beer_hunter · Feb 18, 2025

airboene696867 said:
Beer_hunter: Check it out brother The fuel cutoff solenoid which is located on the left side of the injector pump. It has 2 harnesses coming off of it. The 2 wire connector is for the actual cutoff switch and the 3 wire connector is for what is called a pressure sensor according to the Japanese website, which is a safety mechanism of the tractor. The dealership won't sell you the cheap sensor because it is recessed about a 1/4" into the OEM cutoff valve. That little sensor isn't held by and LS dealer including the mfg. I've been on the hunt myself to avoid the $1100 dollar charge for a OEM replacement. Screw it bypass the pressure sensor that's doing it and keep on keeping on. Maybe that'll help you out some. Good luck brother.

Hey All - This post is now a couple years old and I'm sure others have had the experience I have had so I wanted to update.
I went ahead with the ECU replacement. It was $3k, give or take. That included ECU and reprogramming. I asked to retain the old unit but was told the company required the old unit back.
Dealer had said he could count on 1 hand how many he had replaced and so far so good. He did ask if I washed the engine, which I had. He said this could be a fluke failure but it's possible the ECU got wet or held moisture. I'm not an expert, just sharing what I was told.
I do wish I had seen airboene's post ahead of time, but the ECU did fix the issue so it probably wasn't it. I hope to hear how his experience was since this post. Best of luck to all.