Glow plugs or not?

Desert Bred · Mar 10, 2014

Hi guys. I've been having some troubles with my electrical system whereas i am blowing fuses - a type of fuse that i hadn't seen before where there is extra wire wrapped at the head of the fuse - to use when the fuse fails. there is no glass to these fuses.. anyhow..

i read a post about a similar situation that checking the wiring from starter solenoid to the positive of the battery terminal is a good place to start to look for exposed wiring.. but i've been meaning to ask see i live in the desert here and i don't even know if this tractor has glow plugs.. nor where they would be located.. or if they could be a possible cause of the problem. thus far i have bypassed the neutral safety switch that i was having slight issues with... then discovered the fuses 6 in all i think and the 3amp is burning out when starting it-that in turn may cause another to fail.. anyways i think the question is a two part: 'does my tractor have glow plugs and if so could they be affecting the electrical?
'
db

greg_g · Mar 10, 2014

Probably wire fuses, that's not unusual in older models. But I'm wondering if you meant 30 amp vice 3 amp? And what exactly are you doing when the fuse (or fuses) decide to blow?

//greg//

Desert Bred · Mar 11, 2014

Hi Greg.. I was trying to get a better idea of what is going on to best describe whats happening - the fuse that is breaking is a 3 amp (so it's written). For awhile yesterday all was ok, but again, when the key is turned to the on (but not engaging the starter) its a crap shoot but it appears (for now) ok. Today, the 3 amp blew again when turning the key to engage the starter.. the starter engaged for a second or two then broke.

Now for trying to find a place to buy some of that gauge wire for the fuses.

I checked for any splices in the line from the starter or the solenoid to the positive of the battery seemed ok.

The positive terminal (and this is new) has a lot of deposit on it and I had to clean off that deposit (acid?) yesterday.

Not sure what the issue may be because nothing with the electrical changed that I can recall. Any help is appreciated as always.
db

greg_g · Mar 12, 2014

Given the age and size of your tractor, I'm responding on the assumption that it doesn't have a starter relay. In that design, the starting circuit is protected by a 30A fuse - and possibly the glow plug circuit as well. Before you take anything apart, try replacing the 3A with a 30A. If you can't find an aftermarket fuse to replace the wire fuse, I'll check in my spares box to see if I have any fuse wire left. It comes on card with wires of various gauges that represent the various fuse ranges. If I find any, I'll get back to ya.

Alternatively, the 3 might be as a result of the 0 wearing off. The higher the fuse rating, the fatter the fuse wire. Compare what's left of that "3" amp fuse with one that's marked 20 or 15 or 10 or 5. If it's the smallest gauge of all, it might well be a 3A - which means it's not the system fuse. I had a 3A fuse on a KAMA tractor that blew a couple times too, I think it had something to do with the voltage regulator. I simply replaced it with a 5A, and it never blew again.

//greg//

Desert Bred · Mar 12, 2014

that sounds ideal. yes that gauge was super thin had no idea why it had something to do with the starter but it does. I ran out of 3amp two days ago and used a 10 wire (fingers crossed) and yes it held up and burned out twice all day so thank you for that.. still wondering here where the heck the glow plugs are.. anyways -wishing you the best.
db

BobRip · Mar 12, 2014

Desert Bred said:
that sounds ideal. yes that gauge was super thin had no idea why it had something to do with the starter but it does. I ran out of 3amp two days ago and used a 10 wire (fingers crossed) and yes it held up and burned out twice all day so thank you for that.. still wondering here where the heck the glow plugs are.. anyways -wishing you the best.
db

Let me make sure I understand. You replaced a 3 amp fuse with 10 guage wire. Then the wire burned out twice in one day. If I understand this correctly then you have an erratic really bad short. 10 guage wire is rated at 30 amps for house wiring. It would take several times that to blow it. My concern here is that some other wire could melt and start a fire since it is no longer protected. Going to a 5 amp fuse may be ok, but a 10 guage wire could be dangerous. You need to get access to a clamp on DC amp meter and monitor the current. I wish I was closer and could give you a hand.

greg_g · Mar 13, 2014

Desert Bred said:
that sounds ideal. yes that gauge was super thin had no idea why it had something to do with the starter but it does. I ran out of 3amp two days ago and used a 10 wire (fingers crossed) and yes it held up and burned out twice all day so thank you for that.. still wondering here where the heck the glow plugs are.. anyways -wishing you the best.
db

Ok, I guess you already have spare fuse wire. I forgot there was spare wire wrapped around the grip edge of the fuse body. But there's still something wrong. Given that 5 amp wire held mine, 10 amp wire should hold yours even better. If I'm correct about that fuse being related to the voltage regulator, there's a chance that either the alternator or the voltage regulator is failing.

//greg//

Rich Waugh · Mar 13, 2014

Check your voltage regulator to be sure it is properly seated in its socket - they get loose and blow fuses.

Desert Bred · Mar 13, 2014

Guys, thanks for the input. For no rhyme or reason it happened again without blowing a fuse so i disconnected the positive terminal which had a lot of acid buildup, sanded it down and started it right up. There was also a loose nut on the terminal to the alternator.

I wish you lived near me too - without a manual you guys are the next best thing.
Sorry it took so long for the replies. I'm still not sure what was causing those fuses popping and not sure if it could've been the corroded terminal.
Used a regular car fuse (flat) and stuck it in over the other fuse. Wish i had a pic but for now it is working -

checklist:
find voltage regulator (near alternator and starter)
keep battery terminals clean

greg_g · Mar 14, 2014

Gotta make sure the battery ground is clean too. You might be pushing full voltage in the direction of the starter, but it won't all go to work unless it's got an equally clean path to ground. Jinma is bad for painting the frame first, then bolting the ground cable over the paint. May or may not be the same with FeiDong, but the frame ground on a 16 year old tractor likely needs cleaning anyway. Remove bolt and lug, use grinder or wire brush to get down to fresh metal on both frame and lug. Reconnect, then slather on a coat of dielectric silicone to stave of further corrosion.

//greg//