cruise stopped working

[tly]

Yesterday, I was mowing some tall grass and my cruise quit working. I immediatly figured that a wire had become disconnected under the tractor (TC35D) and finished without cruise. After checking, I could not find a loose wire. After checking the archives of this group, I returned to the shop to do a few tests. What I found out is that with the key on, when I switch on the cruise, the light comes on and stays lit just as it should. Also, I can hear the relay activate and deactivate with the changing of the switch. I can read voltage coming to the magnet just fine. The thing that I noticed is that the magnet is kind of loose on the mount. Is this normal? If so, it would appear to me that maybe the magnet is bad. But in reading the trouble shooting guide posted by DocHeb (great information by the way), if the circuit going through the magnet was open, the relay wouldnt stay operated (which it does). In looking at the posts also I saw that Jinman has experience with this and would know if this magnet should be loose. I can't imagine that it should when there are actually specs as to the clearance settings between the magnet and its contact surface. Anyhow, any help would be appreciated as always. Hate to tear into it if I need to try something else first.

Tom

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In looking at the posts also I saw that Jinman has experience with this and would know if this magnet should be loose. I can't imagine that it should when there are actually specs as to the clearance settings between the magnet and its contact surface. )</font>

The magnet is loose on its mounting. The gap is just a maximum gap. When you energize cruise, the magnet is allowed to move to the "B" shaped plate and make contact.

To test your cruise, make sure the parking brake is OFF and then turn the key to ON, but don't start the tractor. Push the hydro pedal all the way down and then set Cruise with the fender switch. Release the pedal and it should stay set. Flip the cruise switch to OFF and the pedal should return to neutral.

My guess is that you have some grease or other foreign material blocking the magnet from fully engaging. You might try to clean the plate and magnet, but it is a very tight spot to get to.

 

[tly]

Thanks for the post. I finally took off the magnet and in reading with an ohm meter found that the winding was open. Took to dealer who confirmed that there should be a 10 to 12 ohm reading through it. Odered new mangnet ($67.50) and everything is fine now.

Thanks again

Tom

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks for the post. I finally took off the magnet and in reading with an ohm meter found that the winding was open. Took to dealer who confirmed that there should be a 10 to 12 ohm reading through it. Odered new mangnet ($67.50) and everything is fine now.

Thanks again

Tom )</font>

Tom, I love the way you casually say you took the magnet off and put another on. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif That is not an easy job, considering where the magnet is located. It is tucked away pretty good as you can see in the attached photo. I had my platform raised a foot, or you'd never be able to see the magnet in the photo.

 

[jinman]

In this second photo, the magnet is easy to see, but most of the pedal mechanism is removed. Can you describe a little of what you went through to get the magnet out?