JD 3320 Erratic Tach Reading

[CinderSchnauzer]

This was on a six month old unit. Couple of weeks ago the tach starting producing erratic readings - would not show full RPM's or "0" RPM when idle, would not follow throttle etc.

Tech guy came out and did all his electric checks - found nothing. Took the dash apart and initially found nothing amiss. Somehow he found that by slightly loosening a couple of the instrument panel screws or retightening he could either fix or recreate the problem. He put everything back together and so far given about one hour further use tach seems to be reading perfect.

Mine was warranty work but for anyone out of warranty keep this in mind if your tach starts reading erratic and you are DIY person. Might save purchase of new panel.

 

[TedLaRue]

Thanks for posting your experience. But....

I wouldn't feel very comfortable about that "repair". It sounds to me like some connection is loose or (worst case scenario) a copper trace on the instrument panel circuit board is broken or perhaps there's a "cold solder joint", and flexing the instrument panel by playing with the screws makes it work (for now).

On the other hand, I don't know what else you can do for now. Save any paperwork you have relating to this repair. If the problem comes back later, you should still be covered if you can prove that you reported the problem before the warranty ran out.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Ted, thanks for those thoughts.

Could turn out to be something along those lines. We agreed to take a "wait and see if it works" position for now. The tech told me the tach needle was physically sticking on the face of the panel due to a slight flex in the panel - said he could recreate that by tightening the screws.

Think I'll paraphrase your post and send it to the Service Manager and keep a copy in my file, just to augment the paper trail in case the panel fails again.

 

[Nuru]

Hmmm, think you might want to ask for a new panel with the tach needle sticking to the face of the panel?

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Not sure if he meant the actual needle or the hub of the needle. I had gone off to do some other work while he did the fix, so I didn't actually see what he did.
Sounds similar to how a hand on a clock / watch can get a bit bent and sotp the works. Anyway, the problem has been recorded, so far it's working perfect and there's another 18 months or so left on warranty.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

As final follow-up to this story, the complete instrument module has been replaced, under warranty. Further investigation and actual run time revealed that after everything was well heated (couple of yours running) plus hot day, the center hub of the tach needle was contacting the inside plastic face of the instrument module. At the end a small scuff mark was actually visible where the rub was taking place.

New module was ordered / installed / reconfiged. Note, onsite Internet access is required for the reconfig - otherwise a trip to the shop will be necessary. Note - the hour meter function cannot be recongfiged, so hours start again at Zero.

 

[Nuru]

Well, i am glad you got that wrapped up and taken care of under warranty.

 

[AKfish]

Glad they got ya' all fixed up... at no cost - and you ended up with a "new" tractor to boot!

My kind of dealer!

AKfish

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

LOL. That's about what the tech said - You'll just have to be satisfied with a tractor that has a higher trade value"

At least it only went from 70 to 0 not 700 to 0.