5220 won’t start

[JRB21V25]

Have a 2003 JD 5220. Have had panel light indicating PTO engaged for quite sometime when the engine is running, although I’ve checked and PTO was not turning. Also, when I dismount with engine running (trans in PARK) an alarm sounds a few seconds after I get off the seat. I ignored this for a long time, just lived with the distraction since I have always had a backhoe on the tractor and never used the PTO. Tractor was running this morning, battery fully charged. This afternoon out of curiosity I engaged the PTO clutch lever, and moved the PTO speed lever from 540 to the 540E position. I returned the PTO clutch lever to the disengaged position, and tried to return the speed lever to the 540 position but I’m not sure it went all the way back (it feels jammed). I tried to start tractor afterwards, but nothing. Turn key to START position, control panel lights up, but nothing. Engine does not turn over, as if starter not getting power. I accessed the micro-switch for the PTO clutch lever to ensure it was contacting the handle and was closed (it was) and same for shift lever micro-switch when lever is in PARK position (same condition). Could the PTO safety switch have failed?

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to TBN.
Hang tight, and hopefully someone can follow and get you some help.

Only thing I can think of is to check out the battery for cable connections and load test.
Only to ensure that isn't the problem, then turn to the PTO switches.

 

[Roadworthy]

If the battery and connections are good and your panel lights but the engine won't turn over you probably do have a safety switch problem. You may be mechanically activating the switch but it could be failed or dirty internally. You could check it with an ohmmeter. With the key off the ohmmeter will indicate whether a given switch is open or closed if you can access the terminals. If your tractor has an onboard computer the switch may be operating correctly and the computer could be malfunctioning. You could also have a chewed or broken wire somewhere. Mice LOVE wires.

 

[JRB21V25]

Thanks. I have an ohmmeter (multi-meter) and will start trouble-shooting with checking wiring and fuses (had an issue several years ago with mice chewed wire and built nest inside fuse box) then I’ll move on to the PTO limit-switch. It took me all afternoon yesterday to to remove the seat and side cover to gain access to the PTO lever linkages and the limit-switch. I read on a different blog that the PTO switch actually has 2 positions, not just open-closed but an intermediate position that only illuminates that console light. Blogger said that PTO switch is prone to getting dirt and debris in it, preventing it from operating. When I removed the cowling cover yesterday the inside was packed with dirt, debris, dead leaves, etc. Appears the switch could be the culprit. That blogger said he removed and cleaned the switch, reinstalled and tractor fired right up. Thanks for the assistance. Always begin with the last thing first, simplest and most logical. The last thing I’d done prior to trying to start the tractor yesterday was manipulate the PTO levers (clutch and 540/540E) back and forth. First time they’d been moved in a decade. In hindsight, it now seems logical that dirt may be the culprit.

If the battery and connections are good and your panel lights but the engine won't turn over you probably do have a safety switch problem. You may be mechanically activating the switch but it could be failed or dirty internally. You could check it with an ohmmeter. With the key off the ohmmeter will indicate whether a given switch is open or closed if you can access the terminals. If your tractor has an onboard computer the switch may be operating correctly and the computer could be malfunctioning. You could also have a chewed or broken wire somewhere. Mice LOVE wires.