John Deere D130 won't start- possible PTO interlock malfunction?

EKStickland · Feb 10, 2015

I live near Boston, and have been (until today) dominating this year's historic snowfall with my John Deere D130 with 44" snowblower attachment. My back, my wife, and my neighbors have been appreciative. Now, I can't get the machine to start, which is a problem because we've got even more snow incoming in the next 48 hours.

Summary:
Today while clearing my driveway, I started noticing something unusual- even with the PTO (a manual lever on this model) disengaged, the engine would cut out if I reversed without pushing the RIO switch. Also, when I stopped to clean the snow off the tractor before garaging it, the engine would die even though I had set the parking brake and had the PTO disengaged- normally, with the p-brake on and the PTO off, you can idle without being in the seat. So, I just turned it off and cleared the snow. When I tried to start the engine to back the tractor into the garage, the engine would not start, though I got headlights and an initial click.

I'm thinking this is related to a safety interlock, and I suspect it is the PTO interlock switch incorrectly registering as engaged even if it is disengaged. As I'm sure many of you are aware, snowblowing involves vastly more reversing than mowing, so I've been pulling that PTO lever a lot these past days. If it was the seat, reverse, or any other switch, I 'd think the engine would have died even when I was normally operating the snowblower and driving forward.

So, I have two questions:

First, based on the symptoms, it the PTO interlock the most likely culprit and the correct place to begin attempting a fix?

Second, how do I go about getting this fixed? Does anyone know where the PTO interlock wiring connects? Ideally, I'd like to fix this properly (with the PTO interlock functioning normally), but as we have yet another snowstorm forecasted for Thursday (and another on Saturday/Sunday), I really want to be back up and running by then. If it's necessary to put a jumper wire in the harness to temporarily jury-rig this, then I'm willing to do what it takes.

beenthere · Feb 10, 2015

Given the snow conditions, and the behavior you explained, it sounds like water (melted snow, or ice) is getting in where it doesn't belong.

Hope you have it in a warm garage and maybe it will dry out and start for you. Also, good time to check the connections to the battery terminals and other contact connection points.

Keep us posted with the safety interlock checks.

:welcome: to TBN

EKStickland · Feb 10, 2015

Yes, that's a strong possibility. I do have it in the garage, which is 43 F vs 27 outside. I've had a space heater blowing at it for a few hours from about 18" away from the engine block. I'm hoping I can dry things out a bit that way, and will dig in more tomorrow if needed.

mddorange · Feb 11, 2015

:welcome:
To the forum from Alabama. You can keep all that snow there as I have had my fill of snow while in the Air Force being stationed at such places as Nebraska and Alaska.

EKStickland · Feb 11, 2015

Thanks, mddorange. I also served (as a firefighter) in the USAF, from 1995-1999. As I was stationed at Davis-Monthan in Tucson, AZ, snow wasn't a concern.

EKStickland · Feb 11, 2015

Update: Fixed!

My suspicion that the PTO interlock was the culprit was correct. In the D130, this switch is located under the dash, and is a spring-loaded pin that gets pushed into place by a metal "blade" attached to the PTO engagement lever. Due to overuse, over-zealous engagement, or simply a design flaw, the plastic clip that holds the switch housing in place had become loose, which meant that instead of depressing the pin and completing the circuit, the metal blade on the PTO lever would just push the entire housing out of alignment. I first tried duct taping the housing, but a combination of tight space, cold temperatures, and limited attachment surface area led to failure. I've now glued the switch in place, which I'm fairly confident will hold longer-term. I guess I'll be a little more gentle operating that PTO lever now!

I shot a brief video in the event this helps anyone in the future: John Deere D130 PTO switch fix

beenthere · Feb 11, 2015

Great video and should be helpful to others. Thanks for taking the time. :thumbsup: on the fix.

mddorange · Feb 14, 2015

EKStickland said:
Thanks, mddorange. I also served (as a firefighter) in the USAF, from 1995-1999. As I was stationed at Davis-Monthan in Tucson, AZ, snow wasn't a concern.

You are so right about Davis-Monthan as I was stationed there twice. 1967-1969 that is when the sent me to Nam. Again 1971-1972 that is when they called me a SAC asset and moved me to Offutt AFB, NE.
Thanks for your service.