No Start Condition John Deere x595

[TimS]

Bob, I only have the tech manual for the 455 so your description does not match up precisely to what I have. However, since you found the PTO switch stuck in the momentary position, I'm thinking that current was somehow feeding back through that circuit into the module that got fried. So maybe replacing the PTO, and then the module, will get you past it.

Tim

 

[rdschomm54]

Tim,
I repaired the circuit board with some solder. I hooked everything up and the thing started. I think I will put it back together and see how long it lasts. Who knows it might last forever. At least this way I can tell if something else will burn the board up before I spend $100 bucks for another new one.

What the heck worth a try!!!!!!!!!

Bob

 

[beenthere]

That sounds pretty clever. Just a loose connection? burned resistor?
Any pics?

 

[TimS]

Nice work, Bob! It's hard for me to believe you really had two concurrent problems, so I'm thinking the busted PTO switch was it, even if we don't understand how it could have fried the wired on that board.

Did you save the first board? Maybe you can fix it up and have a spare.

Tim

 

[rdschomm54]

Sorry I already coated the back of the board with liquid tape so I can't show pictures. The board was actually burnt in two places. The circuit from the battery to the start relay and from the start relay to the PTO side of the board. One circuit was actually burnt into. The other just got hot and melted the insulation off. I resoldered the missing part and tested the relays that were part of the circuit. They all tsted good so that is what made my decision to try the fix. So far so good. I have it back together and have mowed about 3 acres. Next week I will mow the other three and see what happens. I also have some mulch to spread next week so the old Gem will get a workout.
I did not save the old board but wish I did now. The old board was not burnt like this one but the relays were fried. I could have replaced them and wished I had. Oh well live and learn. I'm not an electrical circuit board guy so this was just pure luck on my part.

I belive it was the PTO switch that caused the issue in the first place. Only time will tell. If so then I would suggest if anyone else has similar issue with this line of Tractors to replace Switch first as Tim suggested then go to the next step. Seems like a shortcoming on JD's part not to protect the Board from thier switches.

Thanks for all the help and comments. I will give an update end of next week or if it breaks sooner

Bob

 

[rdschomm54]

Well, I'm back with bad news. Mowed another 3 acres and same thing. My repair of the module didn't hold up.. Guess I'm loading it up for the Dealer. I'll let them tell us all what is the Issue. I am not installing another module repaired or new until I know what has caused this. I'll let you know what they say in about a week .. That is thier backlog right now which really is bad because my lot will be absolutely a hay field by then. Guess I could rent something for a week.. I'll see if I can convince the dealer to rush it. Not likely but worth a try. Maybe someone out there has had something similar and will help. The dealer just looked at me like a deer int he headlights stare and that is pretty scary in itself!!!

Thanks!

Bob

 

[beenthere]

The dealer just looked at me like a deer int he headlights stare and that is pretty scary in itself!!!

Meaning the shop foreman? Or the lawn tractor mechanic? Or the owner/manager? Likely the only one you don't want to see the "stare" is the mechanic. The rest of them prolly don't really know any more than you do, and likely a whole lot less.
Did the replacement board come from this same dealer? Were they involved in the decision to try that board?
Wish you well, and quick turn-around for 'back' to mowing.

 

[rdschomm54]

Not sure who they were but you are probably correct. Actually the guys tried to help but I guess I stretched thier limits. I did buy the board from them but they were not involved in the decision. I decided it was bad because of the test I did from the Service manual. The board was definitely bad, I just can't find the underlining issue which caused it in the first place. I'm taking it in to the dealer this week, Hopefully with a quick turn around and something simple. I'll let you know when I get it back

Thanks!

Bob

 

[rdschomm54]

Well, I got my tractor back this evening. A wire worn through about a pin hole size hole rubbing against the Injector tube under the hood. It was inside the large harness with the corragated tubing. The corragated tubing was worn thus exposed the wire to the tube. WOW! I looked and traced every wire off that circuit board and missed this. Cost me a new Ignition Switch/module and a few hundred dollars labor. Live and learn!!
So the lesson is to check and double check the harnesses if you have a Module issue that repaets itself.
At least the mechanics at the dealer stated that this was a real difficult find and they have never seen such and issue on this model tractor, especially where it was located.

 

[beenthere]

That is a good news/ bad news story. But glad it is back running. Who woulda thunk.

 

[TimS]

Good for them finding it! I know I always look for component and connector problems, but here we have a reminder to also look for chafed wires. I am working an intermittent no crank on my 455, and you can bet I'm going to go right out and check the harness tonight!

The nice thing here is that they found a definitive problem, and fixed it - sometimes these gremlins just kind of go away, and you know they'll be back, but only in the middle of a job, when it's least convenient.

Do you know which wire it was that was shorting?

Tim

 

[rdschomm54]

Yes I'm glad they finally found it and we are back up and running. I normally find issues like this so I'm really mad at myself. I restore cars, motor cycles and old ATV's and I look for stuff all the time. Oh Well, as we know these are "Gremlins" and they hide very well. I'll find out today and tomorrow if it really solved the problem. I am cutting the front 3 acres today and the rear 3 tomorrow. I'm not sure which wire it was. I see if I can take a picture or something later today and post it.

Thanks again!
Bob

 

[om21braz]

Yes I'm glad they finally found it and we are back up and running. I normally find issues like this so I'm really mad at myself. I restore cars, motor cycles and old ATV's and I look for stuff all the time. Oh Well, as we know these are "Gremlins" and they hide very well. I'll find out today and tomorrow if it really solved the problem. I am cutting the front 3 acres today and the rear 3 tomorrow. I'm not sure which wire it was. I see if I can take a picture or something later today and post it.

Thanks again!
Bob

We've all done something similar or worse, even if we won't admit it LOL! Glad to hear you're mowing again.

 

[rdschomm54]

OK I have mowed the front three acres and so far so good. Rain and cold weather stopped me from finishing. I took some pictures of the location of the harness under the hood and attached them. Inside the harness there is an Orange wire and that was the culprit. It is part of the safety system related to the PTO circuit. It all makes sense. Hopefully It is solved and there will be no more issues. Anyone with similar equipment should look and make sure there is no issues. The picture shows a large harness running close to the three injector tubes. Mine was touching the right hand tube at the bend and wore through the corrugated tube and into the wires underneath.

Thanks
Bob