Weird Problem tonight

[Mark3101]

SAME problem with our 3520...exactly the same thing.
I was snowblowing with it when ehydro stops, fan slowed, all lights dimmed, my RPMs went down to 0 on the tach, but engine RPMs stayed high.
You said you cleaned the ground on the block and it seems good now?
Please keep us updated - if it happens again or not. But either way good luck.

Well, that is what seemed to fix the problem for now. The dealer replaced the alternator and the problem still existed. I had checked the connections for the grounds for tightness, but I took it apart and scraped the block with a razor blade to make sure it had nothing on it. Also wiped off the ring terminals and made sure they were tight on the wires and the block when I was done. I looked at every connection on the battery, alternator, starter and the grounds.

I have run it over three hours in the past couple of days blowing snow and so far, so good. I have kept all the lights on and the fan on high just to see what would happen.

The only thing different since the problem started is the outside temp. had gone up. It was below zero on Monday and is now in the teens. I asked the dealer about that and he did not think that would make a difference since the tractor is stored in a heated garage and it worked fine at those temps the previous weekend. Who knows??

In any event, it is working now. I will update this thread as things progress.

 

[Nuru]

Did you consider that to be trading up . . . or trading down? In the '60s there were a few times when I thought maybe a VW bug or the VW bus would be a good practical vehicle for me. And each time, I got to thinking that, I stoppd by a VW dealer and drove one around the block, and cured that thought. That was as far as I had to drive a VW to know that I didn't want one. But I guess they actually were good practical vehicles.

Well it actually was that the VW was just more reliable and got a little bit better gas mileage at the time. Plus it had a good engine!

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Hi,

Assuming that the electrical connections are tight, the battery & alternator working properly it sounds like there is some electical device that has a overly high electrical draw & comes on intermittently. When the device cycles on the short pulls down the entire elecrical system.

You will have to monitor the current draw when this event occurs to try and isolate the problem device. When this has occured on my vehicles (Yes Bird they were British too) the wire would often show signs of over heating like insulation melting.

Could also be a wire that vibration has worn the insulation through by rubbing it against some grounded part of the tractor causing an intermittent short.

Just some ideas, it may be none of these, good luck


Bird, on mine it was the British leyland overdrive solenoid, 70 mph at night & the lights would go out & the engine die, exciting! John Lucas, prince of darkness.

 

[Mark3101]

Well, that is what seemed to fix the problem for now. The dealer replaced the alternator and the problem still existed. I had checked the connections for the grounds for tightness, but I took it apart and scraped the block with a razor blade to make sure it had nothing on it. Also wiped off the ring terminals and made sure they were tight on the wires and the block when I was done. I looked at every connection on the battery, alternator, starter and the grounds.

I have run it over three hours in the past couple of days blowing snow and so far, so good. I have kept all the lights on and the fan on high just to see what would happen.

The only thing different since the problem started is the outside temp. had gone up. It was below zero on Monday and is now in the teens. I asked the dealer about that and he did not think that would make a difference since the tractor is stored in a heated garage and it worked fine at those temps the previous weekend. Who knows??

In any event, it is working now. I will update this thread as things progress.

The gremlin returned once yesterday. I was not running the lights at all, and the heater fan at less than full speed. It was colder and the snow lighter. The snow blew around a bit more than the previous day. I got out and looked at the side of the alternator and found that it was full of ice. The windings were totally covered in a good thick coating of ice as was the starter and other exposed metal parts. The belt was not slipping from what I could see and I did not smell burning rubber, nor hear any squealing like a loose belt would do.

After about 45 seconds, it started operating normally and did not falter the rest of the time I used the tractor, about an hour longer.

I think that there is something in the alternator that does not like moisture, at least in the quantity it had yesterday.

 

[Roger2561]

The gremlin returned once yesterday. I was not running the lights at all, and the heater fan at less than full speed. It was colder and the snow lighter. The snow blew around a bit more than the previous day. I got out and looked at the side of the alternator and found that it was full of ice. The windings were totally covered in a good thick coating of ice as was the starter and other exposed metal parts. The belt was not slipping from what I could see and I did not smell burning rubber, nor hear any squealing like a loose belt would do.

After about 45 seconds, it started operating normally and did not falter the rest of the time I used the tractor, about an hour longer.

I think that there is something in the alternator that does not like moisture, at least in the quantity it had yesterday.

Mark,

On the last snow storm of last winter, my 2000 JD4500 began experiencing the same problems. It didn't do over the summer, therefore, I completely forgot about it. Well, with the 2 major snow storms we have had so far, it is doing the samething; the tach would drop off to about 650 RPM, the lights would dim, the heater blower would slowdown, but the engine RPM would not drop off. I was wondering if you have a front mount snow blower attached to the front of your tractor. And, those who have 3pth snow blower on their tractors are experiencing the same symptoms.

I have an Erskine front mount snow blower attached to the front and I was wondering, with that much snow flying around, if it is causing an excessive moisture problem in the alternator. Like you, I can not figure out what the heck the problem is; every ground strap, connection that I could find have been cleaned, the battery terminals are nice and clean and shiny, etc... I have a friend who owns an alternator and starter business, I'm going to give him a call to see if he'll test it for me, perhaps under a very wet condition. I don't know if he can that but, it's worth a try. It'll have to wait until after Christmas, family obligations. Roger

 

[dirtworksequip]

Thats one thing I don't like about the new style hoods on the Deere's. Too open on the sides to the weather.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[KarlJD3520]

My 3520 Cab has been used to blow with the front 59" blower two seasons now. There has been times the whole front of the tractor is covered in blown snow. So far no problems like above. A cooling fan coming on would place a high current draw intermittently. The problem seems from the description to be in the alternator. Can you test voltage when the machine is running normally coming out of the alternator (should be around 14v) and then when the problem is occurring?

 

[dqdave1]

My bet will be the belt is slipping when you get it snow/ice covered. I say this do to the condition of the belt that you mentioned. Not sure how to correct it; but a new belt may help. I have seen "notched" belts that don't slip as much when wet.
Carry your volt meter with you; when it acts up; take a reading at the battery; if 14 volts; not alt. If down at 12 or below volts- alternator is problem ( or belt)
Maybe try to make belt a little tighter. Be careful, too tight and you create a bearing problem in future. Belt dressing?

 

[Mark3101]

Mark,

On the last snow storm of last winter, my 2000 JD4500 began experiencing the same problems. It didn't do over the summer, therefore, I completely forgot about it. Well, with the 2 major snow storms we have had so far, it is doing the samething; the tach would drop off to about 650 RPM, the lights would dim, the heater blower would slowdown, but the engine RPM would not drop off. I was wondering if you have a front mount snow blower attached to the front of your tractor. And, those who have 3pth snow blower on their tractors are experiencing the same symptoms.

I have an Erskine front mount snow blower attached to the front and I was wondering, with that much snow flying around, if it is causing an excessive moisture problem in the alternator. Like you, I can not figure out what the heck the problem is; every ground strap, connection that I could find have been cleaned, the battery terminals are nice and clean and shiny, etc... I have a friend who owns an alternator and starter business, I'm going to give him a call to see if he'll test it for me, perhaps under a very wet condition. I don't know if he can that but, it's worth a try. It'll have to wait until after Christmas, family obligations. Roger

Yes, I have the JD 59" front mount blower. We got about another 7 inches of snow yesterday and I placed a cardboard sheet behind the left side grille which kept most of the blowing snow off of the alternator. I had no trouble yesterday, and ran for almost 2 hours. The entire front, top, and both sides of the hood get covered with snow when blowing. This covers the alternator and starter with ice as well without the side opening blocked.

I don't think the belt is slipping. It is not loose, nor does it squeal, or smoke. I think it is either alternator or some other component that is the problem. The dealer is wondering if it could be the ecu. I will talk to him again after Christmas.

 

[Mark3101]

My bet will be the belt is slipping when you get it snow/ice covered. I say this do to the condition of the belt that you mentioned. Not sure how to correct it; but a new belt may help. I have seen "notched" belts that don't slip as much when wet.
Carry your volt meter with you; when it acts up; take a reading at the battery; if 14 volts; not alt. If down at 12 or below volts- alternator is problem ( or belt)
Maybe try to make belt a little tighter. Be careful, too tight and you create a bearing problem in future. Belt dressing?

I took the meter with me a couple of times, but of course when I had it, no failures. The belt is notched on the bottom, and has not shown any more wear. It is adjusted pretty tight now. I am not sure I want to go any tighter for fear of bearing damage.