PTO light not working on 2010 3038e

[nikdfish]

I was mowing today & noticed the PTO indicator light on the instrument panel was no longer lit even though the rotary cutter was still cutting. It had been illuminated when I first engaged it. Disengaging/re-engaging the PTO worked fine but had no effect on the light (it stayed out).

Are indicator lamps a replaceable item? It also got me thinking about the temp indicator light & the potential for an over heat I might miss due to a bad lamp. It may be time to look into adding a real temperature gauge.

 

[Zebrafive]

Does your tractor have a "bulb test" ? Warning lights come on when key is first turned? Your owner's manual should say.
I do not think the cluster bulbs are serviceable.
I would check the connectors to the cluster. Make sure they are clean and tight.
Can you access the connectors and wiggle them with the tractor running, PTO engaged? You might need an operator in the seat, while you wiggle the connectors.

I ASSUME the PTO switch also lights the cluster light. I would check it's connector too.

If I were to "throw" parts at it, the PTO switch would be only part I would try.

 

[nikdfish]

Unfortunately the 2010 3038e does not do a bulb test for all indicators. Oil and battery lamps illuminate when the key is on until the engine starts, but PTO and temp only illuminate when switched on by real events. I did another day of mowing & the PTO lamp came on initially, but soon went out. It came back on for a bit & then off for the duration of my mowing. The PTO itself functioned properly & was unaffected by the lamp condition.

As an aside, I got confirmation the temp lamp was working as I had three different occasions when it came on due to weed fluff blocking the radiator. I was expecting this to be likely to occur so I was carrying a small gas blower for clearing out the fluff when needed & was able to resume operations with little interruption each time...

I do have an electrical temperature gauge & sender coming in next week. I'll feel better when I can stay ahead of the overheat situation by clearing fluff proactively when the temp starts to edge up.

 

[beenthere]

At least with the PTO you can hear when it is operating.. I don't pay much attention to the PTO light so wouldn't bother me to have it going off and on.
Maybe something I am missing.

 

[nikdfish]

My only worry, really, was the potential for the overheat lamp to become similarly erratic about illuminating when it is supposed to be on. The gauge coming next week should resolve that concern.