TC-45D Direct Short

[B52528]

After 10+ years with no problems with my TC I am coming to you with the first. Used my tractor for 2-3 hours this past weekend with no problems. Running down road back to barn it shuts down. Turn the key and nothing. Lights and flashers work fine. I checked the two connectors under the brake side of platform that are prone to separate and they were fine. Removed dash panel and replaced #2 fuse from left. Left panel open and turned key and watched it pop. I checked connections on tractor, battery, etc. Replaced fuse again, turned key and 'pop' again. Increased fuse from 10 amp to 15 amp, turned key and 'pop'. Towed tractor the 1/4 mile back to barn yard and decided I needed to consult others. It is now coated in 1/2" of ice since I could not get it in the barn, so it will be a few days before I can tend to it. Any suggestions on where to start looking for the short? Any harm in jumpering past the starter solenoid to see if it is the problem, or is there a wiser path to follow? Thanks in advance!

 

[eddie48]

If it quit running then I would not suspect the starter circuit. Does the fuse pop when you first turn on the key or just when you move it to the start position? If it pops whenever you turn the key to the run position, look at the fuel solenoid or the glowplug circuit.

 

[jinman]

I agree with eddie48. Pull the spade connector off the back of the fuel solenoid and see if fuse #2 still blows. Also tap on the starter and even disconnect the small wire since it is the solenoid power and comes from fuse #2. If you still have fuse problems, post back and we'll go to deeper detail.

 

[B52528]

It only does it when the key is moved to the start position. Nothing happens when the key is turned and the 'dash' powers up. The fuse pops as soon as I turn it the rest of the way to the start position.

 

[Industrial Toys]

NEVER, EVER replace a fuse with a larger one! There is a REASON it blew. Unless you have added something to the circuit.

If you jumper a shorted circuit, you could in theory trace the melting wires (and fire) to the source of the short. I don't recommend this approach. It's too smelly!

You have a serious short circuit that needs to be found, by tracing the wire visually. It's usually not a short in a bundle or harness. I was thinking shorted starter solenoid but you say the tractor quit. Does that circuit also run the fuel solenoild?

I would start by getting a circuit diagram although even a trained person like myself can spend a lot of time interpretting them. It's sometimes too easy to become lazy and forgo that! . Then put an ohm meter between ground and the load side of the blown fuse to see what resistance you have there. Probably low or close to zero ohms. Then I would remove items that I know are in that circuit and see how my resistance changes to narrow it down.