4300 PTO Light staying on

lgjhn · Sep 7, 2018

Hi.
I did a search to no avail on this.
I have a JD4300 (1999-2000 vintage) gear shift type. It won't start and the PTO Light on the dash shows that it's engaged when the key is in the "on" position. The PTO lever id pulled all the way back to "disengage position" and the mid-PTO knob is all the way down, but the light stays on showing "engaged".
It was running fine. I stopped to take a break from box blading a road, got off the seat and it immediately died. Turn the key and nothing....not even a click. Fully charged battery, terminals are tight, lights work, dash works, etc. have voltage at the main connection on the starter.
I don't have a tech manual, but I'm thinking with that PTO dash light showing "engaged", that I have a bad PTO switch somewhere but I can't find it on this machine. I looked but I could only find the switch on the mid-PTO.
I also know one of the relays in the fuse box is the interlock relay but which one is it? IF I got it neutral, I'm thinking I could pull that relay out and maybe jumper it to get it to start/run to get it back up to the shop where I could work on it. Right now, it's out in a field and tough to work on.
Any assistance and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

jthibodeau89 · Sep 7, 2018

I have a 4300 HST, and you are correct that the interlock is preventing the tractor from starting. There is a switch or wire that has gone bad. I'll check my manual for the switch location when i get back to the house. You should be able to disable it once the location and condition (NO/NC) are known.

sixdogs · Sep 7, 2018

You can search for an exploded parts schematic for the 4300 at Deere and locate and price parts.

Zebrafive · Sep 7, 2018

I would unplug the PTO switch and see if that will let you start it and get it to your shop.

gimmodog · Sep 7, 2018

cannot guarantee it but I would assume that the switch on the mid PTO is the only switch. I say this because I have the seat off mine I went out to look and I do not see a switch anywhere around the lever movement area. Is the PTO still running?

to get it back to the shop you can jump the starter solenoid, just pull the female spade terminal off the starter then with the key on momentarily connect the male terminal of the starter to the pos of the batt

jthibodeau89 · Sep 7, 2018

There is definitely mid and rear PTO switches. S5 is the rear PTO switch. If the harness had become dislodged from the switch, the tractor will not crank. If it is plugged in, pull the plug and jumper it and see if the light goes out.

lgjhn · Sep 7, 2018

Thanks guys.
I've been perusing thru the parts fiche on Deere. I did discover that it is actually a 2001 sync shift.
Looks like there is a switch on the other end of the PTO lever shaft....on the left side.
I'll get out there tomorrow and see if I can find it and maybe rig a jumper up so I can get it back to the shop.

jthibodeau89 · Sep 8, 2018

Switch is on the left side, below the rockshaft control valve. See photos below. Not that the left side plastic cover is removed in these photos.

Close up with wire bundles lifted out out of the way.

You can barely see the switch under and right of the loose wires that are exiting the loom jacket.

lgjhn · Sep 8, 2018

jthibodeau89 said:
Switch is on the left side, below the rockshaft control valve. See photos below. Not that the left side plastic cover is removed in these photos.

There's an old saying that "a picture is worth a 1000 words".....I certainly believe it in this situation. I'd probably never have found it without these!
I really appreciate those pics!!! From the Deere site, it stated that this switch is NC...we shall see. I need to find a way to rig up a jumper for this thing....I'll figure something out.
It will be Monday before I can get back down there to where it's sitting, but I'll let the thread know what I find.
Again, thanks!!!!