2014 Max 28XL: no start, completely dead

bdally · May 2, 2020

I really hope someone can help me... I have Max 28XL, It's been running great. I had the 500 hour service done around Dec-19. Use it frequently. THe other day, I had finished using my mower deck, attached my loader and was in the process of moving some dirt and clearing an area. After doing several bucket loads, as I was driving into get another scraping, the tractor just died. Checked all the usual stuff, PTO switches, battery was recently replaced by the service (Dec-19), but confirmed all the connections were good, battery voltage was 12.92V. Checked all the fuses, near battery positive, and up by the firewall... all good. I have heard that the fuel solenoid could cause this. But the weird thing is, nothing happens when you turn the key... dead. Any suggestions would be great... I wish I had some electrical schematics.

Peter 315 · May 2, 2020

You check and clean the ground cable to the frame.....

bdally · May 2, 2020

Yes, cable was fine. Took it off and completely looked at it. I thought it may have some corrosion, but it checked out electrically fine with my meter, while twisting it around.

s219 · May 2, 2020

The Max has a history of wiring harness problems that cause this very issue and many others.

If you do a search you will turn up many other threads on this topic. Only reason I know about it is that it happened to my neighbor's Max 28 very early on. Since then, I can recall 5-6 other people here on TBN reporting the same issue, and other similar/related issues. They all seem to come back to water/moisture collecting in connectors in the wiring harness.

As a first step, locate the fuel solenoid and carefully examine the plug, connector, and wiring in that area. I believe that is the most common place, perhaps due to the layout that makes it more prone to moisture problems. If you see any signs of moisture, corrosion, or damage, fix it and then start looking for other areas in the harness with similar problems.

Is this tractor stored outdoors, or does it get washed from time to time?

bdally · May 2, 2020

s219 said:
The Max has a history of wiring harness problems that cause this very issue and many others.

If you do a search you will turn up many other threads on this topic. Only reason I know about it is that it happened to my neighbor's Max 28 very early on. Since then, I can recall 5-6 other people here on TBN reporting the same issue, and other similar/related issues. They all seem to come back to water/moisture collecting in connectors in the wiring harness.

As a first step, locate the fuel solenoid and carefully examine the plug, connector, and wiring in that area. I believe that is the most common place, perhaps due to the layout that makes it more prone to moisture problems. If you see any signs of moisture, corrosion, or damage, fix it and then start looking for other areas in the harness with similar problems.

Is this tractor stored outdoors, or does it get washed from time to time?

It is stored outside, but living in SoCal we don't see much rain, not saying that this isn't the problem. Where, if you know, is the fuel solenoid?
Thanks!!! Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

bdally · May 2, 2020

It is stored outside, but living in SoCal we don't see much rain, not saying that this isn't the problem. Where, if you know, is the fuel solenoid?
Thanks!!! Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Bootlegger750 · May 9, 2020

Check the spade connector on the glow plug rail? Make sure is very clean and connected good

bdally · May 23, 2020

Found the problem. Lost village between the 12v fuse to the load relay. Tractor funds now after installing a jumper. After a few hours of running, another issue. No the tractor runs, o only while the key is in the start position. When it reruns to run, it dies. All the lights and gauges work now though. Don't think it is related to my original issue though.

s219 · May 23, 2020

bdally said:
Found the problem. Lost village between the 12v fuse to the load relay. Tractor funds now after installing a jumper. After a few hours of running, another issue. No the tractor runs, o only while the key is in the start position. When it reruns to run, it dies. All the lights and gauges work now though. Don't think it is related to my original issue though.

That is a symptom of a bad fuel solenoid relay or wiring. Very common problem on the Max. DO a search, there will be other threads about it.