Tractor just died

[pd444]

I was mowing a field and making a turn and the whole thing just shut down. I now turn the key and I hear a click under the hood but nothing else.

The way it died reminds me of raising off the seat and the kill switch activating.

Any ideas how to test the switch?

John Deere 990

 

[Egon]

Manually activate the switch while looking at it making sure it is working properly. Then it's on to a meter for proper checking.

Might want to look at all the other safety switches also.

Then on to fuses and relays.

 

[pd444]

Not being so inclined, can you give me a tip for putting a meter on the switch?

 

[Johndeere3720]

Test the current running through the wires to the seat switch. They corroded on my dad's 3720 and it would not move because of it. Also check your fuel, i ran the 3720 out of fuel and it did the same thing you are experiencing.

 

[pd444]

Interesting. The gauge shows a half tank, but I was thinking I was due to fill up. But would the lack of diesel prevent the tractor from trying to turn over at all?

 

[Johndeere3720]

Interesting. The gauge shows a half tank, but I was thinking I was due to fill up. But would the lack of diesel prevent the tractor from trying to turn over at all?

My Dad's 3720 has a bad fuel gauge so that is how it ran out. It has a sensor that shuts off the tractor once it is close to empty.

 

[jsb2b]

Battery???

 

[JD755]

Battery???

Another vote to check the battery first. Sounds very typical of how they fail.

 

[grsthegreat]

you never mentioned if the lights work? if not than i say battery also.

Most tractors have a main fuse by the starter, controls everything. but since you hear a click (fuel solenoid i assume) than it might not be fuse related. the seat switch probably has 3 wires. least my JD 870 did. i could lift the seat and pull the switch up to operate pto without being in the seat (chipper, splitter, etc). YOU CAN TRY TO LIFT SWITCH SEE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS.
darn caps key. if you have a 12 volt tester, you can ground one lead and try to test to see if theres power comping thru the switch when the switch is pressed in. the center leg is usually the hot (but i don't have a schematic for the 990). if this leg tests hot, check the other 2 legs with one lead while grounding the other lead. you should get 12 volts from main power and nothing when button is not pressed from the other 2 leads. then press switch to see if you get 12 volts at the other lead.

 

[JD755]

Seat switch test from the 990 manual.