331 Hydraulic lockout wont release

miketdesco · Jul 29, 2018

Hello. Ive lurked on here for many years and always found what I needed, but I am finally stumped.

I have a bobcat 331 mini excavator. We just had 14" of rain in a couple days and now all of a sudden I am having all kinds of problems. When I lower the left console, the light wont come on saying hydraulics are active and I don't have any controls. Earlier today, the light would flash on briefly but then go back off. Once it stayed on for about 2 minutes and everything worked fine. Is there a way to test the console sensor? Its got 3 wires to it (8v DC, ground and console comm). Earlier today, the light would flash on when I put the left console down or if I put a magnet to the sensor. Now, it wont do anything. I checked continuity to the right console and that all seems good, but the console was FULL of water. I dried that out now.

I've either got a bad sensor in the left console or a bad dash console on the right. One is $50, the other is $1000ish. Does anyone know how/if I can test that left console sensor?

Thanks.

Jabonee · Jul 30, 2018

Guessing your unit is an open cab ? Sounds like you may have water in one or more plugs. Is the display controller in good shape. Water tight? No way to test without laptop at dealer. :confused3:

mddorange · Jul 30, 2018

:welcome:
To the TBN forum Mike. We are glad that you finally joined. Sorry that it is for a problem.

miketdesco · Jul 30, 2018

Yes. It is an open cab. I pulled the controller and it was full or water. I took it apart and dried it out real well and lubed all the plugs. I also checked continuity across all 3 wires that come from the console switch and that seemed good.

I致e tried testing the console switch but I can稚 find out how to test it痴 functionality. No mater what I do, I can稚 get continuity across any 2 terminals. I知 picking up a new console switch today and trying thay. I hate just trying parts that I haven稚 confirmed are bad, but I知 kind of stuck right now.

Jabonee · Jul 30, 2018

miketdesco said:
Yes. It is an open cab. I pulled the controller and it was full or water. I took it apart and dried it out real well and lubed all the plugs. I also checked continuity across all 3 wires that come from the console switch and that seemed good.

I致e tried testing the console switch but I can稚 find out how to test it痴 functionality. No mater what I do, I can稚 get continuity across any 2 terminals. I知 picking up a new console switch today and trying thay. I hate just trying parts that I haven稚 confirmed are bad, but I知 kind of stuck right now.

If your display controller had water in it its cooked! I'm talking about the display that has the temp and fuel gauge on it. Has 4 or 6 plugs on back. Its a sealed unit.

miketdesco · Jul 30, 2018

Jabonee said:
If your display controller had water in it its cooked! I'm talking about the display that has the temp and fuel gauge on it. Has 4 or 6 plugs on back. Its a sealed unit.

I tried the new switch and that didn稚 help. I guess that was a waste of $60.....
I have a lead on a used console, but if not, I guess I知 stuck spending $930 for a new one.

Jabonee · Jul 31, 2018

miketdesco said:
I tried the new switch and that didn稚 help. I guess that was a waste of $60.....
I have a lead on a used console, but if not, I guess I知 stuck spending $930 for a new one.

Beware of used!!! New or used it has to be programed at dealer.