Mahindra Max 22 Seat Safety Switch (round 2)

[boost2525]

So, as posted previously... there is definitely something wrong with my seat safety switch. When it gets really cold outside, it won't start unless I disconnect the seat safety switch harness and jump the circuit. This fall I had it fail to start 3 times, and die on me once in reverse... until I jumped the seat safety switch harness again.

I called my dealer and he says it would be covered under warranty but wants $100 each way to tow it. (I wish I would have listened when deciding on tractors... the warranty really is only as good as the dealer). He suspected a pinched wire and said I should just fix it myself.

I lifted the seat off the tracks today and opened up the heat shrink, there are no obvious broken or twisted sections of wire.

Slurry of questions...

1. Possibility that it's the switch, not the wire?
2. If so... how do you access the switch? The seat looks to be glued to the metal frame, and the switch is inside the seat.
3. Anyone know where I can buy the seat safety switch harness clip (two prong), or know the part number for said clip? I would like to build a jumper harness that I can use to get it started and back into the barn if it dies out in the field again.
4. Any other words of encouragement?

 

[dickfoster]

So, as posted previously... there is definitely something wrong with my seat safety switch. When it gets really cold outside, it won't start unless I disconnect the seat safety switch harness and jump the circuit. This fall I had it fail to start 3 times, and die on me once in reverse... until I jumped the seat safety switch harness again.

I called my dealer and he says it would be covered under warranty but wants $100 each way to tow it. (I wish I would have listened when deciding on tractors... the warranty really is only as good as the dealer). He suspected a pinched wire and said I should just fix it myself.

I lifted the seat off the tracks today and opened up the heat shrink, there are no obvious broken or twisted sections of wire.

Slurry of questions...

1. Possibility that it's the switch, not the wire?
2. If so... how do you access the switch? The seat looks to be glued to the metal frame, and the switch is inside the seat.
3. Anyone know where I can buy the seat safety switch harness clip (two prong), or know the part number for said clip? I would like to build a jumper harness that I can use to get it started and back into the barn if it dies out in the field again.
4. Any other words of encouragement?

My guess is that the switch if bunk.

 

[RNeumann]

If you've gone this far I'd ask the dealer if you can bring just the seat (with attached switch) to them. Or maybe they can give you a new switch and you do the labor.
As far as diagnosing the issue bypass the switch and move, tug, twist and otherwise manipulate the wires going to the switch with the machine running. If your dealer is correct doing so will kill the tractor. If doing so doesn't kill it I'd say it's new switch time.

 

[boost2525]

My guess is that the switch if bunk.

Yeah, I'm leaning that route as well. Any thoughts on how to get the switch out of the seat?

 

[boost2525]

If you've gone this far I'd ask the dealer if you can bring just the seat (with attached switch) to them.

Good call. I didn't even think of that.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Jump the wires permanently and forget it. My tractor didn't even come with a switch.

 

[dickfoster]

Yeah, I'm leaning that route as well. Any thoughts on how to get the switch out of the seat?

I'd probably just bypass the thing and leave it where it is.

 

[MAX28HST]

Anyone know where I can buy the seat safety switch harness clip (two prong), or know the part number for said clip? I would like to build a jumper harness that I can use to get it started and back into the barn if it dies out in the field again.

Not exact but pretty close to the clip needed. I want to bypass mine as well w/the two prong clip method...

�2984883 Delphi Connection Systems | Mouser

 

[boost2525]

My guess is that the switch if bunk.

Zombie thread is back from the dead! Just wanted to give an update in case anyone lands on this in a future search.

My seat safety switch was in fact dead. I traced all the wires before taking it in, no pinches or breaks anywhere, but the switch tested dead across the terminals. I had to really fight with the dealer to get them to even look at it (they swore it's impossible and they've never seen a dead seat safety switch). Eventually they agreed to test it and sure enough, bum switch.

The replacement was covered under warranty, but the switch is non-serviceable on the older style seat that I have. They ended up having to replace the whole seat assembly with a new one.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!