Max 26xl just stopped while I was driving...

[Deere Dude]

I had a similar problem a week or two ago. But it seems I went through everything you are going through with the same symptoms. Tractor ran okay, I shut it off but it would not attempt to restart. I checked for broken wires underneath, but nada.
The warning coded that a relay was bad. I bought a new battery, just in case it was just low even though the old one tested fair. After a day of testing stuff I called my car mechanic neighbor as I was getting into a rabbit hole and was lost.

I could turn it over by jumping the starter relay and the hot post. Even with key on in the run or start position it still wouldn't fire. I checked the few safety switches but they were fine. We pulled the dash apart but it was a pile of wires and computer and relays but no rodent damage so now we were stumped. He was lost too eventually but then I told him I would check underneath one last time before we tried loading it up on a trailer to go to the dealer.

I grabbed a carpet and checked every nook and cranny for a wire of some sort, then it sort of popped out at me, a connecting underneath was unplugged. It was a snap in type connector so was never pushed in all the way from new, 9 years ago. I must have hit a branch or twig that pulled it out. If you were in any brush, or even if not, recheck underneath for loose or dangling wires.

Just costed a gift card.

Good luck,

 

[madmacks]

Glad you found your issue. I've looked all over underneath and have not found any issues yet... I do not have a Mid-PTO or a HST so I do not have those safety switches to worry about, but I did location where they would have gone in the wiring harness and made sure the factory jumper wires are still plugged in properly. Electrical issues are a real pain, but at least it is a small, relatively simple tractor so finding and fixing should not be too bad...not like a modern car with crazy complicated electronics and harnesses. Still a PITA though...

I had a similar problem a week or two ago. But it seems I went through everything you are going through with the same symptoms. Tractor ran okay, I shut it off but it would not attempt to restart. I checked for broken wires underneath, but nada.
The warning coded that a relay was bad. I bought a new battery, just in case it was just low even though the old one tested fair. After a day of testing stuff I called my car mechanic neighbor as I was getting into a rabbit hole and was lost.

I could turn it over by jumping the starter relay and the hot post. Even with key on in the run or start position it still wouldn't fire. I checked the few safety switches but they were fine. We pulled the dash apart but it was a pile of wires and computer and relays but no rodent damage so now we were stumped. He was lost too eventually but then I told him I would check underneath one last time before we tried loading it up on a trailer to go to the dealer.

I grabbed a carpet and checked every nook and cranny for a wire of some sort, then it sort of popped out at me, a connecting underneath was unplugged. It was a snap in type connector so was never pushed in all the way from new, 9 years ago. I must have hit a branch or twig that pulled it out. If you were in any brush, or even if not, recheck underneath for loose or dangling wires.

Just costed a gift card.

Good luck,

 

[tmcj]

If you want to get into the instrument cluster I had some directions and pics in a thread from installing my ROPS lights. Hope it helps...
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372501

 

[madmacks]

So, on your step 5 (Standing on floorboards, lift each side of instrument panel over the steering boot and column) the question I have is how does the fuel spill "cup" that sits around the filler cap come loose? Is it just pressed down over the filler tube? I have snow on the ground and its only about 25 outside so the rubber spill cup is very stiff. I don't want to pull it off it there is some trick to it, as it might put a lot of pressure on the fill tube and break something. Is it just a slip on cover that I can warm up and pull off the top?

If you want to get into the instrument cluster I had some directions and pics in a thread from installing my ROPS lights. Hope it helps...
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-owning-operating/372501-max-26xl-rops-lights.html

 

[madmacks]

Hello All, Again. So I am really starting to get ticked off over this **** issue. I am hoping you guys can help... The problem described in this thread has been traced to a bad Timer Unit, or at least that is what several of the folks I have had look at it say (and I agree). So, I ordered a new timer unit at a cost of around $80. I showed up two days ago, but I am not able to locate the **** thing on the tractor. I have an official Mahindra Shop Manual and that says, and shows, that it should be on the firewall on the right hand side of the engine compartment. It should be near the glow plug controller. But, there is no timer unit there, and believe me I have looked all over the **** place. The timer unit I have (part 1947 0726 000) has a pig tail that has 6 wires. The schematic shows those 6 wires. But there is nothing on the firewall that corresponds to that and I have looked diligently for hours... I called my dealer and he said "oh, it is under the drivers seat on the right hand side". That is not what the shop manual says or shows. And I had the seat and all the sheet metal off trouble shooting the safety switches and do not recall seeing anything like the timer unit part I now have. So...does anyone know if Mahindra has two sets of shop manuals for two different models of the Max 26XL? Mine is supposedly a 2016, but who the heck knows. The model plate shows MAX26 - 26MG141270951 but I don't have a VIN decoder that will break that out. I am really frustrated with this **** thing...it has been down since early October 2019. The front 4x4 axle blew out and the drive shaft drove back into the gear box breaking gears. The local dealer had to split it to fix all the problems. I got it back several weeks ago and it ran for about 1.5 engine hours and then just stopped. HELP! I live off grid (4x4 required) so getting it out of here to the dealer is a real, real PITA. And they have recommended a "guy" that will do field work but I really do not want to pay him hundreds of dollars to come and, scratch his head, and say "I dun know"...

 

[K5lwq]

I read thru this thread and never saw where anyone suggested you check the battery? Have you verified the battery is good? Also were you ever able to get it to turn over jumping the starter solenoid?

 

[madmacks]

I read thru this thread and never saw where anyone suggested you check the battery? Have you verified the battery is good? Also were you ever able to get it to turn over jumping the starter solenoid?

Yes, battery is good. I am able to jump the terminals on the starter solenoid and it turns over and tried to start, but it seems like the ETR solinoid is not turning on and allowing fuel to glow. When you turn the key there is nothing, no clicks, just nothing. I've traced the wiring and rested and all the safety switches are working (I get power thru the system with the key in Start position). Pretty sure its the Timer Unit, but it isn't where the shop manual says it should be mounted...

 

[K5lwq]

I am not familiar with the timer unit. What is it's function in life?

 

[madmacks]

Just to re-summarize the thread so it is not so difficult to read thru...

Max 26XL was split by my dealer to repair the FWD axle which broke and allowed the drive shaft to float back (or get pushed) into the gear box where it broke several tranny gears.

Got the tractor back from them, drove it back to my place, about 4 miles from the "road". No problem, ran fine. Reconnected the loader and backhoe, no problems. Used the TLB for about an hour and a half. Was driving it back the shop and it just stopped.

Did a lot of wire tracing...removed the hood, side covers, front cover, rear seat, sheet metal the seat bolts to, steering column shrouds, etc to get access to all the safety switches and wiring harness.

Made and installed a by pass plug for the seat safety switch (I know, I know). Put my multi meter on all the safety switch circuits; all good, Key in Start and power flows.

Jumped the starter solenoid terminals, with the Key in Run Position, and it turns over, and starts and immediately dies.

Believe the ETR Solenoid is not getting turned on by the Tuner Unit for the HOLD circuit to allow fuel to flow after cranking.

Believe the Timer Unit was jacked up by the shorted wires from the Seat Safety switch, or from some other issue.

I've installed new new Load and Safety Relays to eliminate them as potential issues.

I have a new Timer Unit from Mahindra to eliminate that as a potential issue. BUT, I can NOT find where the Timer Unit is located. The Mahindra Shop manual shows it mounted near the Glow Plug Controller on the starboard side of the firewall under the hood. Is not there as far as I can see.

To eliminate the Timer Unit as a potential problem I want to replace that unit, but, even though this is a tiny little tractor, and it shouldn't be that difficult to find it, I can't, and the shop manual isn't any real help.

My dealer (Featherlite of Reno) is being as helpful as they can, and one of the guys I'm talking with has the same Max 26XL as I do at home. We looked on a newer 26XL on the lot and could NOT find the Timer Unit where the manual says it should be. He said he'd look at his when he gets home and see if he can find it.

But, I am asking here as well, hoping someone has swapped the Timer Unit on their Max 26XL and will know where the silly thing is located...

 

[madmacks]

The Timer Unit is a little controller that is wired to the safety circuits, the ETR, and the LOAD and Safety Relays. It should validate that someone is in the seat, and the safety circuits are good, and then allow power to flow to the ETR and the Starter so the tractor can start up. At least that's what I'm reading from the Wiring Diagram I have...

I am not familiar with the timer unit. What is it's function in life?