Tractor ran fine, restarted normally, then died & won't start

davesill · Mar 19, 2021

Called the dealer I bought it from and they suggested checking the seat switch, transmission switches, and PTO switch as well as the fuses.

I'm more of a tractor owner than a tractor mechanic, but I'll take another stab at it tomorrow.

Dozernut · Mar 19, 2021

Do you get a click when you turn the key on? If not it could be the stop solenoid. No click could signify that the stop solenoid is not functioning. Easy to check, find the stop solenoid, usually on top of the engine (look in owners manual) and you will find a round device with a rod coming out of it, a couple of wires and hooked to some linkage. The key will activate an electric charge which causes the solenoid to push the rod and the linkage out allowing the tractor to start. You can check the solenoid by moving the plunger by hand, very easy to do!

If it is the stop solenoid the tractor should start. To stop the motor reverse the position of the plunger to shut the tractor off.

davesill · Mar 20, 2021

Found the problem. As the dealer tech suggested, I found a blown 5A fuse.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Thomas · Mar 20, 2021

Gotta like when there was quick fix.

davesill · Mar 20, 2021

Unfortunately the replacement fuse didn't last very long. So, is it likely something is shorting out?

SylvainG · Mar 20, 2021

What is the fuse for?

WranglerX · Mar 20, 2021

And the offending fuse does what?...

Dale

SylvainG · Mar 20, 2021

A 5A fuse in my tractor protects the engine stop solenoid relay and pre-heat controller. Burning this fuse will certainly stop the engine...

davesill · Mar 21, 2021

Unfortunately, I haven't found my manual, so I'm not sure. I found schematics here: New Holland Tc30 Wiring Schematic - Style Guru: Fashion, Glitz, Glamour, Style unplugged There are two large jpegs. Not sure how to read them, though. (And that page is a bizarre collection of stuff.)

I did crawl all over looking for wiring issues and I found that the parking brake switch wires were disconnected and dangling. I plugged them back in and it ran OK for a while, and when it died one of the wires was disconnected again. Gonna try taping them up to see if that helps, but not sure why, after all these years, those connections are coming apart now.