MF 1230 electrical is dead, strange symptoms

chemtimh · Jun 2, 2019

I have a 1996 Massey 1230 diesel. Today while mowing, the temp and fuel gauges both suddenly dropped to zero. I was almost done mowing so I finished (ten minutes) and then parked the tractor. Now it is stone dead. The headlights don't work, the glow plug setting doesn't light up, I cannot hear the fuel pump click when the ignition is on, but the battery tests normal. I think the problem happened while the tractor was running, but what would kill everything but not affect the engine or drain the battery?!

Unfortunately, I turned the tractor off outside to go get a drink, so it is stuck out on the lawn!

Please advise.

WranglerX · Jun 2, 2019

Sounds like a battery cable came loose or some sort of "master switch"has given up the ghost.... How about checking power to any fuse block it may have....

Dale

radios1 · Jun 2, 2019

when the tractor is running, even without a battery, everything can work off the alternator, so it don't sound like a battery or cable problem as far as the heavy cables, there may be a smaller cable that goes to the battery, and then to a fuse block or fusible link somewhere that went bad. or possibly an engine to chassis ground cable went bad..

irvingj · Jun 4, 2019

Ditto on checking the chassis ground cable. The stranded ones will break, one strand at a time, until the last on lets go and then....

chemtimh · Jun 4, 2019

The issue was that a 50 amp in-line fuse on a heavy red wire near the starter was blown. The replacement was $3 at Napa.

I do not know what caused the fuse to blow, but on the right side of the tractor behind the bottom of the gray instrument panel (which I removed), there were two filthy connectors that has gotten wet also. I figure maybe mud created a bridge that shorted the circuit? I cleaned them thoroughly with carb cleaner (which also damaged some paint, but who cares) and put the panel back on, then put the new fuse in and all is well.

I have no certainty what caused the fuse to blow- just a guess.

Industrial Toys · Jun 4, 2019

That does seem like a lot of power flowing in that bridge. I am thinking the cause has yet to be found. Maybe the link was just defective. I am pretty sure, I had that happen to me once before. Fused link blows, no fault found.

Who gets away with a three dollar fix?

radios1 · Jun 5, 2019

chemtimh said:
The issue was that a 50 amp in-line fuse on a heavy red wire near the starter was blown. The replacement was $3 at Napa.

I do not know what caused the fuse to blow, but on the right side of the tractor behind the bottom of the gray instrument panel (which I removed), there were two filthy connectors that has gotten wet also. I figure maybe mud created a bridge that shorted the circuit? I cleaned them thoroughly with carb cleaner (which also damaged some paint, but who cares) and put the panel back on, then put the new fuse in and all is well.

I have no certainty what caused the fuse to blow- just a guess.

carb cleaner is very bad for plastic(the connectors), it can fuse the plastic together, making it impossible to separate the connectors, and it can make the connector fall apart too. then you have to replace the wiring harness. you should use electrical cleaner also sold at an auto parts store.