Dreaded Safe Mode Is Back

[JimR]

Yesterday i was out using the tractor. It was running great until I parked it. The motor went from 1600 rpm's to an idle all by itself. Previously I had this similar problem where the tractor would do this. I was able to still run the tractor up to 2000 rpm's before the engine light would come on. That all went away after checking all the wires and cleaning the front 02 sensor in the cat converter. Back then I had just over 300 hours on the tractor. I now have 345 and it is back again but worse this time. Now I can only get the motor up to 1600 rpm's before the CEL come son and the rpm's drop to an idle. I ran the regen cycle and nothing changed. One thing that I did notice is that the regen light does not come on during the regen cycle. Is this normal? The motor runs at 2500 rpm's during regen with no issues. I positively know that the problem is not fuel related. It is raining here today so I won't be able to do any checking on the problem. What a PITA these Gen 4 tractors can be. One thing I have to admit is that I do not miss the smell of diesel exhaust fumes.

 

[DieselBound]

Almost sounds like a regen-completed bit isn't being set in the ECU.

Doubt that it'll do anything, but perhaps disconnect the battery cables for a bit and then reconnect: I've heard it mentioned to (on other equipment) touch the battery cables together (no battery involved!) as some way to ward off the evil spirits (something to do with helping discharge).

 

[JimR]

Almost sounds like a regen-completed bit isn't being set in the ECU.

Doubt that it'll do anything, but perhaps disconnect the battery cables for a bit and then reconnect: I've heard it mentioned to (on other equipment) touch the battery cables together (no battery involved!) as some way to ward off the evil spirits (something to do with helping discharge).

I don't know if the regen light is supposed to come on when driver initialized. I'll have to read the manual.
I did that the cable trick the last time around and it didn't do anything.

 

[Coyote machine]

I'd check with your selling dealer if there is a flash upgrade to your ECM or similar. Tier4 final; PITA for sure. See if there is a tweak, or does one have to only start it in 'safe mode' with limited icons/functions?!:confused2::confused3:
Good luck, post back results/findings...

 

[JimR]

I bought this far far away on a leftover closeout. I saw a sticker on the frame that said it had an ECM upgrade. I believe that the sticker is under my frame mounted winch bracket. I will let everyone know what I find out on this issue. When it is running great, I love it. This is the second time in a few months that this has happened.

 

[JimR]

Does anyone know if you can jump two terminals on the OBDII connector to bring up the CEL code? I know on many cars that you can jump #4 and #9 and the codes will flash using the CEL light.

 

[JimR]

I checked all the wire connections, unhooked the battery and ran the regen cycle again. The only difference is now the motor will not go up in rpm's over 1100. Time to bring it in for warranty work. This really stinks.

 

[Coyote machine]

Have you spoken to your dealer about what you can do before shipping it?
There has to be a way to check the 'code' before having to trailer it cross country?!

And, with the recent right to repair law being won by the consumer, changes to the 'secrets' the manufacturers hold as a way to drag machines to the dealers, with no one but the dealer being able to 'touch the electronics/computer's coding' you might have a chance to figure out what makes the system function...
Good luck.

 

[JimR]

There is a local dealer that will do the warranty work on it. The problem with reading a Kioti code is that you need a $700.00 reader and a usage fee to be able to use it. To me this is a joke. I need to call a friend with a trailer or just rent a UHaul trailer. That would be cheaper than having the dealer pick it up and bringing it back.

 

[RandyT]

There is a local dealer that will do the warranty work on it. The problem with reading a Kioti code is that you need a $700.00 reader and a usage fee to be able to use it. To me this is a joke. I need to call a friend with a trailer or just rent a UHaul trailer. That would be cheaper than having the dealer pick it up and bringing it back.

Actually all the small engine companies do the same thing. Kohler, Briggs, Honda, Kawasaki, MTD, Husqvarna, Stihl all have their own software and cables that the dealer has to purchase. And all the brands listed above have the software on the dealer only site, which even if the everyday person got the software it is still unusable because it requires the software to be registered by an authorized dealer.