5101E power reverser problem

[Canadiangreengirl]

Howdy folks!

Just looking for some advice. My husband was plowing snow tonight with our "Junior", our JD 5101E. Yes, we name our tractors - we also name all of our farm machinery! It's a great way to keep track of them all, especially in haying season. Anyhow, Junior's heater and blower were on, all of the lights (we've had extra lights installed) as well as the radio. He was trucking along slowly, when the tractor quit moving and a light came on on the dash (the symbol, according to our manual was the "power reverser information" or something to that effect). He couldn't get the tractor moving again with the power reverser (with and without using the clutch). When he turned off the lights, heater, fan and radio, the indicator light went out and he could get back into gear and get moving again! The engine continued to run just fine throughout the whole event. This has happened several times, usually with all the electrical items above turned on, so we're feeling pretty sure it's an electrical issue. From other folks' posts with similar power reverser problems, a diode was to blame in many cases. We'll be calling our local boys at the JD equipment store tomorrow as well.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue? Otherwise, we're really enjoying this tractor, plus our JD 6430, "Queenie" and the rest of the green, red and orange members of our "family". Hope everyone's enjoying a decent winter!

 

[Wagtail]

G'day and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

I've got no advice but I'm sure that someone will be along shortly to help out. :thumbsup: Enjoy the site.

 

[Henri88]

:welcome:to TBN!

 

[Tx Jim]

With all the electronic controlled functions on newer tractor that have a history of problems I'm glad the tractors I own are manually controlled. Canadiangreengirl I will guess that "Junior" has a bad relay or loose wire associated with the reverser.

 

[sunnyside360]

This issue and the ones described here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/302096-jd-3520-temporarily-loses-power.html and here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/133999-weird-problem-tonight.html sound very similar but with different tractors. It seems that in these other two posts snow is getting into/around the alternator and causing similar problems though they've never been resolved. Are you getting blowing snow into the alternator area? If so, you might experiment by protecting the alternator from snow. Just a thought.

 

[Zebrafive]

Maybe a larger alternator? If available. If you solve the problem please update.

 

[Canadiangreengirl]

This issue and the ones described here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/302096-jd-3520-temporarily-loses-power.html and here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/133999-weird-problem-tonight.html sound very similar but with different tractors. It seems that in these other two posts snow is getting into/around the alternator and causing similar problems though they've never been resolved. Are you getting blowing snow into the alternator area? If so, you might experiment by protecting the alternator from snow. Just a thought.

Thanks very much for the links and reply. We are actually plowing snow (not using a snowblower) and it was wasn't snowing or even windy out last night. I do recall a reading a few posts where the culprit was a diode, so we're thinking that is likely the problem. I'll report back when we hear from the dealer and get it (hopefully) resolved.

 

[JD5210]

If your dealer cannot help you, consider asking your dealer for a wiring diagram. I would suspect you have a voltage drop, which is affecting a component. The cause maybe a problem with the alternator or just too many things turned on at once, creating more resistance and producing heat. There is a number of threads you can look at to see, how to test an alternator.

You might consider when time permits. After the problem occurs, turn off the tractor and pull out the fuses one at a time and see if any are warm/hot to the touch. With the extra lights that are on the tractor, could be the problem. If it makes seems try running the tractor without the extra lights and see what happens.

I looked at JDparts and saw only one diode.

 

[MattLynch]

When you get it figured out let us know. Mine has problems with high electrical loads in the cold and I thought it was the alternator, hasn't stopped moving yet but I did have the warning light come on then go right out a few times. I wonder if in your case snow/ice melted into the alternator and caused the problem?

 

[Canadiangreengirl]

Hello MattLynch

We experienced the same "warnings" as well when the tractor was under electrical load. We don't think that snow/ice has melted onto the alternator, but we'll continue to investigate the problem. I'll report back!