Electrical Issue and the resolution

[woodlandfarms]

Here is a new one.

The wife calls me, all in a tiz. Tractor died while mowing, Sounds like it is out of gas (diesel) but the gauge reads quarter full.

I get home, it is dark. Run the jerry can down the hill and put 5 gallons in. Crank a few times. starts up. Up the hill I go and the gauge reads half full. Today I run around on the machine in the rain and the temp is reading way hot. But the voltage is reading way low... like 12 volts. Up goes the hood, out comes the voltage meter. 14.4v. Now I think what could this be. Gauges are getting juice, but something is creating an odd reading between the gauges and the source. Back the tractor up and the gauges pop up to normal (temp goes down, gas goes down, oil goes down, voltage goes up. Pull the covers off the steering and start wiggling wires. Nothing. OK, gauges are good going to take off. Drop the hood, climb on. Gauges back to too high temps and pressure and to low voltage. What the heck... So I "tap" the gauge and bang, things go back to normal. Pull covers again and notice the clamping nuts that hold the gauge to the metal are only finger tight. So, a poor ground at the gauge caused all the issue.

Carl

 

[dcyrilc]

Here is a new one.

The wife calls me, all in a tiz. Tractor died while mowing, Sounds like it is out of gas (diesel) but the gauge reads quarter full.

I get home, it is dark. Run the jerry can down the hill and put 5 gallons in. Crank a few times. starts up. Up the hill I go and the gauge reads half full. Today I run around on the machine in the rain and the temp is reading way hot. But the voltage is reading way low... like 12 volts. Up goes the hood, out comes the voltage meter. 14.4v. Now I think what could this be. Gauges are getting juice, but something is creating an odd reading between the gauges and the source. Back the tractor up and the gauges pop up to normal (temp goes down, gas goes down, oil goes down, voltage goes up. Pull the covers off the steering and start wiggling wires. Nothing. OK, gauges are good going to take off. Drop the hood, climb on. Gauges back to too high temps and pressure and to low voltage. What the heck... So I "tap" the gauge and bang, things go back to normal. Pull covers again and notice the clamping nuts that hold the gauge to the metal are only finger tight. So, a poor ground at the gauge caused all the issue.

Carl

You gotta have a good ground path.

Rain??? Does this mean that you're back up north?

 

[gunnyad]

A friend just showed me that the 06 f150 holds water below the driver /passenger side kick panels. wires run thru there and under door floor molding.
The gauges in a truck he looked at was going goofy and lots of water was trapped below inner side panels and over the wires,the panels are inside by the lower door hinges.
i had some water but did not corrode my wires. drilled holes to drain. There is a rubber grommet on the underside on the passenger side I opened it up some.
I think the pasenger side is the fuse box and safety gas shut off side to my memory.
your gauge problem reminded me of that.

 

[MossRoad]

Poor grounds are the cause of most of the electrical problems I have dealt with in my life, from gauges to lighting, especially trailers. And lets face it.... the PT is basically a two piece machine, similar to a truck and trailer.

 

[woodlandfarms]

You gotta have a good ground path.

Rain??? Does this mean that you're back up north?

I am indeed. Producing a movie that has taken one year of my life and I owe it one more... 100 mile commute every day... Ugh... But still better than LA.

One of these days Lunch...

Carl

 

[dcyrilc]

I am indeed. Producing a movie that has taken one year of my life and I owe it one more... 100 mile commute every day... Ugh... But still better than LA.

One of these days Lunch...

Carl

When you're ready, name the day and I'll be there.


What type of movie are you working on? Documentary, comedy, drama, etc.

 

[SpringHollow]

Not sure it is doing anything but I ran a big ground cable through the tunnel to connect the two halves.

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

You know Ken, I have been thinking about doing the same. Seems like a potential weak link. But then again, I have never had any indication of an issue that ground is not being kept.

As for the movie. Stop Motion family comedy. Guys who did Coraline (Phil Knight of Nike fames son owns the company). Interesting but labor intensive process and the look of the film is beautiful.

Carl

 

[ponytug]

I ran a ground line through the tunnel to the dash as well, and I have had no gauge issues.

Carl- thanks for sharing! It would have been awhile before I got to the loose guage itself.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ernemats]

What did you connect the ground wires to and what gauge wire did you use?