Tractor engine shuts down when gear selector is engaged.

jd2305 owner · Nov 16, 2014

I have a JD 2305. It runs/ran fine up until this morning after the 1st snow fall and cold temps, (-5C) arrived. The tractor turns over and idles great. I let it warm up at 1/3 throttle for 15 minutes before trying to use it. Hydraulics all nice and warm, same goes for the engine and gear box. Engine also runs perfectly when at full throttle but, when i go to start using the machine by selecting low or high gear and engage it the tractor engine shuts down. I high an audible click from something electronic under the hood after engaging the selector followed by the engine shutting down a second or 2 later. It didn't do this 2 weeks ago before the cold temps arrived and it ran perfectly. I think some type of solenoid must be kicking out and shutting down the engine? Any guesses?

George2615 · Nov 16, 2014

On most HST tractors there is a seat switch. You don't have to be in the seat when it's idling but if you are not in the seat and the fwd/rev pedal is pushed the engine will shut down. I suspect your seat switch has gone bad or become disconnected. It doesn't know you are in the seat and shuts down the tractor. Check there first. I don't have a JD but have the same interconnected safeties. If I am moving fwd/rev and get up off the seat for a better view it will stall out. Same thing happens if I'm off the tractor with it running and want to move it forward or backward a little to hook up an attachment. Since I'm not in the seat, once I hit that HST pedal it shuts off.

beenthere · Nov 16, 2014

Assume you are in the seat when this happens, so suggest the PTO may be in the "engaged" position. Check that out to be sure it is not.

jd2305 owner · Nov 16, 2014

Hey George2615. You are correct sir

The kill switch in the seat is faulty. I tested this by removing the connector to the seat switch and by passed it by bridging the connector with a couple alligator clips and some wire. Jumped on the tractor, engaged low gear and away I went

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Great forum here to guys.

jd110 · Nov 16, 2014

It is possible the seat switch is ok, but the seat cushion is frozen and wont let the seat compress enough to engage the switch. I see this pretty frequently in winter temps around here. Try putting all your weight down in center of seat with your knee and see if the switch works, or remove the switch and test it with an ohmmeter before you buy another one.

jsb2b · Nov 17, 2014

jd110 said:
It is possible the seat switch is ok, but the seat cushion is frozen and wont let the seat compress enough to engage the switch. I see this pretty frequently in winter temps around here. Try putting all your weight down in center of seat with your knee and see if the switch works, or remove the switch and test it with an ohmmeter before you buy another one.

Ditto. Common problem with machines stored in cold weather. Foam and vinyl get hard as a rock.