4610 Cruise Control Problem

DK_Farms · Feb 17, 2011

I have a 4610 HST, 2003 model, with about 600 hours. The cruise started acting crazy a while back. When the tractor was cold, it worked fine. But as the tractor warms up, the cruise starts to slow the tractor on its own, then goes into a speedup-slowdown jerky movement, and eventually the light on the dash goes off and the cruise is dead. It will stay that way until the tractor cools off. The tractor is not indicating any malfunction codes. I couldn't find anything obvious so I took it to the dealer shop. They were able to duplicate the problem but couldn't find a specific cause. The said they calibrated the controller and couldn't duplicate the problem after that. It is still doing the same thing and the dealer says they have no clue, and they act as if they don't want to be bothered with this petty problem now. Dummy me, I shouldn't have paid the bill. Has anyone had an experience with a flaky cruise on this line of tractors, and if so, what was the fix?
Thanks
Ken

beenthere · Feb 17, 2011

Hard to know if it is in the controller and an electronic adjusment of a pot, or a mechanical linkage to the controller. I don't know if this will help any. Mine is the older magnet that holds the forward pedal in position. Works good for me, unless cold and snowy, then sometimes slips a bit.

Glen Watkins · Feb 17, 2011

Just curious if that dealer is a gold star dealer?

JohnDeere - Gold Star Dealer Criteria

Ask JD

https://groundscare.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/794/srchopen/true

Interlaux · Feb 18, 2011

See my post of 4x10 sensors can we talk. Its either your flywheel or mfwd speed sensors.

You can wait untill they get bad enough to throw a code or just buy One and swap them out one at a time with a known good one.

IIRC its around $60ish for the sensor and you can change them out in a minute or so.

Good luck Bro - let me know if I'm wrong and I'll make it up to ya with melons:licking:

DK_Farms · Feb 19, 2011

Just an update. I think Interlaux, you are on the right track. The controller THANKFULLY started throwing a code today upon cruise failure. Short-Long-Long-Short. Called my John Deere mechanic buddy ( who works for the same dealer but at another location 30 miles away and not with the no-yoes where I do business ) and he said the code indicates a probable MFWD sensor failure. I ordered one today and will have it transferred from another store on Monday. Coincidentally, I had to change the Flywheel sensor about 6 months ago because the LoadMatch wasn't working right. From this experience, I would probably recommend that if you change one, just go ahead and change the other as well. If this fixes the problem, I am going to cloud up and rain on the service department for having to fix the problem myself after I paid them to do it. Between this and problems I am having with the parts department on another tractor, it has not been a good week when it comes to dealing with all things green. Thanks for suggestions and I'll post an update when I get the sensor and swap it out.

Ken

Interlaux · Feb 20, 2011

AWESOME!!! Yep it make take them a while to throw a code.. Do you know where the MFWD sensor is - hint its just about as far away from that front spicer as you can get. If not I'll take a pic.

Without the cruise its not near as nice to operate. But beats the heck out of anything with a clutch:laughing: or any BOTA!!!

Good news is I just rolled over 1860hrs this weekend on my baby which means I have around 200 hours on the MWFD sensor and close to 400 on the flywheel.

To think I've only owned the 4610 for less than 1 1/2 years

I went through a tank of diesel since Saturday morning. Got the plow fever and am fixxing to plant a few acres of watermelons - wish me luck cause its fer sure my first go at this rodeo.

Its done got so hot here I'm going to have to put the vert. exhaust back on.

Thanks for posting us 4x10 owners got to stick close.

DK_Farms · Feb 27, 2011

Interlaux had the solution pegged. I changed the MFWD sensor and it looks like the cruise is just cruisin along now. Ran about 90 minutes today and 2 hours yesterday without a hiccup. Was a chore to change however. The hydraulic return hard line was in the way. You could get the mounting bolt out but the sensor itself would hit the line and not come out. Had to drain the oil, disconnect the hose coupling at the tranny, bend the hose down a little so the sensor could clear. Overall, took about an hour start to finish. Tomorrow I go to the dealer to talk about the bill. Hopefully they'll cooperate and I won't make the national news.

mfreund · Feb 27, 2011

DK_Farms said:
Interlaux had the solution pegged. I changed the MFWD sensor and it looks like the cruise is just cruisin along now. Ran about 90 minutes today and 2 hours yesterday without a hiccup. Was a chore to change however. The hydraulic return hard line was in the way. You could get the mounting bolt out but the sensor itself would hit the line and not come out. Had to drain the oil, disconnect the hose coupling at the tranny, bend the hose down a little so the sensor could clear. Overall, took about an hour start to finish. Tomorrow I go to the dealer to talk about the bill. Hopefully they'll cooperate and I won't make the national news.

Thanks for posting the fix. This board is at its best when you can search for a problem follow the repairs and see the fix. Congratulations on the repair!!

Interlaux · Feb 28, 2011

Awesome - !!!

We got a little shower last week. hope it hit you too.

The sensor deal on the 4x10s goes way back on this forum. Wish I could take credit but no can do.
TBN rocks:thumbsup: