Boomer 30 Alarm at Start Puzzle

[bfrenock]

Five year old tractor that has had no problems other than seat sensor and HST switch problems a ways back. After moving a lot of dirt I washed it down heavily with a hose as it was caked with clay type mud. I did the undercarriage as well as soaking the seat as I have done many times in the past (although in much warmer weather). Next morning, as soon as I turn the key on, it alarms constantly and the glow plug light does not light and does not appear to warm plugs, but I can crank over the engine normally ... of course just white smoke and too cold to start. Checked all fuses, OK. Checked PTO switch: it lights and turns back off when switched. In addition, the motor will not crank with that switch engaged, so assume it is good. With the key off, when I release the emergency brake the alarm turns on (and will quit after 8 or ten seconds if left off), but stops as soon as I re-engage the brake. I checked the HST pedals switch and can hear it toggle when I move the pedals, so assume it it working ... and when that switch was not working in the past, there was never an alarm, it just would not crank. I don't have a mid point PTO and have always been able to start the tractor from the ground regardless of and settings other than emergency brake and PTO switch. Went through the manual and found no other indications of and alarm switches. So my best guess is that something shorted when washed down. I have set a space heater on it over a couple of days with no change. In addition, there was no moisture under the instrument panel when I removed it or the side covers. I also jumpered the seat switch just to make sure with no change. I expect I need to start working through the wiring with a DVM, but not sure where to start. Can't identify the circuit pieces as there was no electrical schematic included with the owner's manual. I really don't want to start ripping wires out going through the firewall, etc, just to see to what they are connected. Allof the forum searches and reading over the last several days had different symptoms. Can anybody identify the glow plug relay so I can check it for voltage (image from NH parts)? Has anyone had a constant alarm as soon as the key is turned that never stops? Thank you for your time. Have a great day!



Bob

 

[bfrenock]

I left this here, even though it doesn't apply - next post I explain. But just in case others have weird symptoms like this, I'll leave it. Just note my original problem is unchanged.

Wife called dealer when she got into town a few days back. Said 9 out of 10 times it is the ground wire. Had just cleaned both terminals a week back (used to jump a backhoe) but pulled again, sanded, pulled bolt to frame, sanded and re-assembled. Two changes. Lower volume alarm and glow plug light illuminates for just a part of a second when turned on. Tried some more cleanup, no change. Today had sub freezing temps. As I passed the tractor in the field, I tried turning the key (couldn't see dash at the time). No alarm. Waited a few and tried starting. Seemed like it wanted to start but no joy. Hours later I pulled the black plastic off the dash (just cover for rain) and tried again. This time the glow plug light illuminated. I waited over fifteen seconds and it didn't go out. Tried starting and it cranked up ... until I let go of the key then it died. Tried again, holding the starter a bit longer with the same results. Seems to run with the start position engaged, but dies when the key returns to the 'on' position.

Does this further info give anyone an idea to pass on to me to troubleshoot? I was thinking the glow plug relay or timer before, but now it dies in the on position, which should no longer involve the glow plugs? So maybe a fuel relay? Any guesses at something I can try that may help isolate the problem? I really don't have the bucks to haul it into the dealer that is at least 90 minutes away. I'm more than willing to start replacing components, but where to start???

 

[bfrenock]

Sorry for that last post. Symptoms did not change. I had left the controller cable not fully seated. When trying to lube the ignition switch, I noticed it. When re-seated, symptoms reverted to original: no glow plug light and constant alarm when key moved to the 'on' position.

Thank you for your time. Have a great day!

Bob

 

[Roadworthy]

Perhaps moisture in a switch - maybe even ignition switch? You could start with your air compressor blowing out anything that looks like a switch.

 

[bfrenock]

Thank you! Well, I do keep hoping it could be that simple and it may still turn out that way. I don't have a compressor available right now. I have been spraying WD40 into the connections and working them around a bit ... of course, not all of them. Rain has let up so hopefully tomorrow I can get to the rest of them (that I can see or find). As I couldn't see any moisture under the instrument panel when I opened it, I keep expecting it to be something external to there, like the seat, PTO, etc. which is where I concentrated the most effort so far. I should really get a schematic from the dealer so I can identify the components and the pinouts at the connectors. Without it I'm pretty much just banging around with no direction. I was really, really hoping someone would have had the constant alarm symptom ... not that I'd wish it on anyone else.

Bob

 

[grsthegreat]

I’m thinking ignition switch myself. I know that there’s a lot of posts concerning moisture and debris in ignition switches in the forum.

 

[bfrenock]

I don't hardly believe it. 26 degrees this morning so headed down to add some heat to my tea seedlings and turned the tractor key on the way back (as I've been doing off and on in passing since it died). No alarm! Lifted the plastic thrown over the instruments and the glow plug light is on. Went off a few seconds later so tried to start and it fired right up!

I'm guessing you all are right, just moisture ... somewhere. I did flood the ignition switch with WD40 yesterday along with some of the connectors, mainly the controller plug, the seat sensor and one other jumper next to the seat (maybe for mid point PTO if that were installed?).

I have an aquaponics system that I've been running for about six years. I have a number of sensors in there hooked up with LAN cables. After the first year, they all started having problems from the moisture. I bought a tube of food grade grease and packed all of the LAN connections. I haven't had problems since. I'm thinking that might be a great idea for all of my tractor connectors as well. The grease is thick enough not to come out in hot weather, and will keep the connectors dry during wash downs. Since I typically leave my key in the ignition all the time, I suppose it should work for that as well.

In any case, if I don't post back, the tractor is still running and without further info or failures it must just be moisture.

Thanks everyone for your time, suggestions and patience. Have a great day!

Bob

 

[Jkott]

Sounds like it’s working again? At least for now?

I also have a boomer 30 and bought the service manual for it. It has full circuit diagrams and flow chart for the various safety sensors, “safety controller” and the fuel shutoff, as well as the relation between them if your issue recurs.

 

[bfrenock]

Thank you for the reply.

I was going to wait a few days to post again, but as you were kind enough to reply ... The problems started somewhere around 11/20 to 11/22. I did get it to start one morning with freezing weather, but it never started again, until today! As most suggested, and I hoped, I concentrated on moisture problems. I tried a 1500 watt space heater over a period of two days plus. I flooded the ignition over a days time, and then several days later pulled EVERY connector I could find under the dash, under the hood and under the body and filled them with a moisture displacing, foaming oil. All to no avail. However, just this morning, after a torrential rain, I walked by and tried it ... and it started normally! I spent about 20 minutes using it to move materials I had piled up and then parked it under a somewhat covered area. It cranked up again later in the day several times.

My guess is that the oil did work to displace moisture but took some time. I had started to buy a new controller several times over the last three weeks but I'm glad I procrastinated. At least, so far.

Again, just my best guess and I'll update if it crashes again.

Thank you for your time. Have a great day!

Bob