GC1720 died, won't restart

[Fiziksgeek]

Fitzgeek,

The first thing to recognize ffom your original post is the tractor was running and it died. That's meaningful because it eliminates the starter and starting circuit.

1st thing I'd check is battery charge condition. You also said you tried to start it and glow plug indicator showed but not gauges moving. I also assume there was no starter action.

Sounds to me like the battery is drained of power. Certainly a ground wire could be involved but I would think the engine would still have run until battery was near dead. Short in lights or a drain of electrical that charging circuit couldn't maintain.

Correct, no starter movement, no gauge movement, glow plug light comes on, lights/flashers work and are bright. Can't for the life of me find my volt meter...have to listen tot he wife tell me how I don't put things back where they belong....

The first thing on a diesel you check when it just dies is your fuel and air, followed by the fuel cut solenoid. Check the fuel and air filters for anything suspect. Then manually cycle the full cut solenoid.

Remember a mechanical diesel just needs three things to run...fuel, air and compression.

It doesn't turn over, fuel and air wouldn't do that.


To me, its gotta be electrical, some sort of safety switch or other electrical connection. Have followed all sort of wire all over the place, I don't see anything loose or broken....fuses look good, though it possible I don't know where they all are....

 

[ray66v]

You have to check all the fuses, on a 2300 series there are 6. Two are in line. All are inside the dash. You may have more on yours.

There have been a few GC's who have had a wire break off the back of the ignition switch. It's extremely difficult to look in there. But, look for a wire that is unattached.

The next thing you can do, is unplug your safety switches, (they are on the seat, and control levers). Check them, one at a time. Try cranking, with them unplugged, and jumpered. That way, if they are normally open, or normally closed, you are covered.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I found it... It was a fuse. Made a nice clean break, hard to notice, I obviously missed it during the first inspection. Replaced it and she fired right up.

 

[AxleHub]

I found it... It was a fuse. Made a nice clean break, hard to notice, I obviously missed it during the first inspection. Replaced it and she fired right up.

Well now starts the interesting part. You've found the "result" and cleared it. But now the question is . . what is "the cause" ? Obviously fuses don't blow for no reason.

What circuit was the fuse for that it would stop the unit dead while running ?

Had there been any exceptional jarring of the machine that could have triggered a flex in the fuse box area or some loose wire coming in contact with a ground or another wire?

Had any thing recently been added or adjusted that was electrically oriented?

Obviously replacing a fuse is simple and inexpensive . . but you don't want your tractor killing at an inopportune time . . Like on a slope/steep hill or full bucket in the air etc..

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Well now starts the interesting part. You've found the "result" and cleared it. But now the question is . . what is "the cause" ? Obviously fuses don't blow for no reason.

What circuit was the fuse for that it would stop the unit dead while running ?

Had there been any exceptional jarring of the machine that could have triggered a flex in the fuse box area or some loose wire coming in contact with a ground or another wire?

Had any thing recently been added or adjusted that was electrically oriented?

Obviously replacing a fuse is simple and inexpensive . . but you don't want your tractor killing at an inopportune time . . Like on a slope/steep hill or full bucket in the air etc..

It does beg the question....

The one that was blown was a 10amp. I think your 1715 has the same fuse block with 7 fuses it in. It was the middle one on the side with 3 fuses. Not sure what it powers. I've done no modifications or adjustments. Just enjoying the seat time, filling up the fuel, and lubing zerks, etc....Nothing that I would consider especially harsh either.

I'll mention it to the dealer when I am up there to get part for my service, but otherwise will just monitor the situation.....

 

[not2old]

Well now starts the interesting part. You've found the "result" and cleared it. But now the question is . . what is "the cause" ? Obviously fuses don't blow for no reason.

My experience is that sometimes fuses do blow for no reason. The fuse controlling the horn on my 1990 truck blew last week for the third time since I've owned it. The first two times I couldn't find the cause. This time I just replaced the fuse and carried on.

 

[loulblades]

Glad to see you found the found the problem. Although fuses are supposed to "pop" to protect circuits, I have seen fuses die (at the assembly point at one end or the other) from what I expect are due to being jarred like they get on these tractors. This is especially true of low current fuses. Of course I wouldn't just assume they "wore out" but a fuse that died doing it's job might show some melting.

S... If I recall from my last experience, about 15 seconds after the key goes form start to off, there should be a click. I don't hear that this time.
.....

That click you hear after turning the key to off is the fuel shutoff solenoid. I had a fuse die in that circuit and the tractor had the opposite problem you had...the tractor wouldn't shutoff. The fuse powered a time delay relay.
I guess I might make the assumption that the 1720 has the same setup as the 2300 but if the fuel shutoff solenoid was a different setup, it might require power on the solenoid to keep fuel flowing. But I am speculating.

 

[ray66v]

Don't worry about the cause, unless it happens again.

Cheap fuses, that fail below the rated load, are not rare anymore.

You may not have any more trouble.

 

[jeepcj7]

Get a paper clip or short piece of wire, disconnect the seat switch and plug the wire clip where the seat switch plugged into. If it starts your seat switch is bad and needs to be replaced.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Popped the fuse again...

After I replaced the fuse, I really just dove around the yard and put the tractor to bed. Decided to mow today. Usually takes about an hour, maybe a little less. Got about 30 minutes into it and she died, same fuse. I replaced it, started the tractor back up, and it didn't even last a minute. I'm gonna wait about a half hour and make this post, let everything cool off, then try it again an see if I can at least finish the lawn.

Anyone know what this fuse powers?