Max 26xl just stopped while I was driving...

[madmacks]

Agree, and have started to wonder the same thing. But, if they didn't install it at all I don't see how it started at all, at their shop or at my place. and if the wiring pigtail was there I should be able to trace it and find it. It is just too strange!

 

[K5lwq]

Have you cleaned and checked all of the ground points? This is a strange one. I just can not imagine it not being something simple. Bad wire, ground or something like that. It would not surprise me if your model does not have the timer unit.

 

[madmacks]

Yep. Grounds are good.

I'm really getting concerned that the dealer that split the tractor for the other repair hacked the wiring harness and direct wired things together without the Timer Unit being installed for some reason. There was a previous post by TMCJ that clearly shows the Timer where it should be. Mine has a bundle of wires but no timer. If they did that one of their splices could have failed and that could be causing the problem. I'm about to tear into that bundle and see if it looks "factory" or if it is a local thing. Hate to think they would do that, and will be REALLY unhappy if that turns out to be the issue.

Have you cleaned and checked all of the ground points? This is a strange one. I just can not imagine it not being something simple. Bad wire, ground or something like that. It would not surprise me if your model does not have the timer unit.

 

[K5lwq]

I would do the same thing. Maybe even try putting a test ground wire somewhere to see if that would make it start. After as long as you have been down, I would just want to hear that thing run. Then figure out a permanent fix. Have you talked to the shop that split the tractor? Maybe they can give some indication of where to start.

 

[tigers2007]

Dude I posted the video I made of the ETR earlier in this thread. Have you actually unscrewed the ETR solenoid and visually verified its proper function? I had the exact same issue you did. The bad ETR looked new too.

 

[K5lwq]

Dude I posted the video I made of the ETR earlier in this thread. Have you actually unscrewed the ETR solenoid and visually verified its proper function? I had the exact same issue you did. The bad ETR looked new too.

But would the ETR keep the starter from engaging?

 

[LouNY]

It is possible to have two separate issues.
One possibility to consider also;
many times manufactures will make mid series changes.
Some of those may be well documented, many are just a note the dealers are supposed to insert in their manuals.
Looking at the pictures you have posted I don't see an outline or cleaner spot were the timer should have been located.
Many tractors have two relays one for the start winding of the fuel solenoid and one for the run coil.

 

[madmacks]

Well good news, if not somewhat embarrassing...The Max 26 is now running.

I started to wonder if the dealer, after splitting the tractor and putting it back together, did something to the wiring harness right where the pictures and location schematic says the Timer Unit should be. It appeared to me that there was an unusual amount of electricians tape on one of the joints. So, I disconnected the fuse box, glow plug controller, etc right in that area to get better access to the harness. Long and short of it there was noting under all that tape, including no Timing Unit. So, I went back to the wiring diagram to see how the system would work if the factory simply made an undocumented change, and figured out that wiring option. Then, when putting all the wiring and boxes back in I thought I'd test the line going to the ETR for resistance, and as it uses a plug without exposed wires I thought I'd do the test at the ETR fuse, which without a Timer Unit should be getting power directly from the Safety Relay, and passing it to the several other components. Anyway, TURNS OUT THE ETR FUSE WAS BAD! I pulled it to do the test, and took a second look at it, and it was burned out. And from what I can tell, the new assumed wiring without the Timer Unit must have had both fuse posts going back to resisters that go to ground, so when I had put my multi meter on the fuse post tops to do a quick "is the fuse good" test they showed continuity thru the no Timer Unit wiring path. Good Grief... Popped a new 10 amp fuse in, and it fired right up and runs fine. So, conclusions. 1) My unit doesn't have a Timer Unit, and my CD based shop manuals don't have any Technical Bulletins to show the assumend build change (assuming Mahindra sends Tech Bulletins out), so that Timer Unit thing was a rat hole. 2) When testing fuses pull them out and visually inspect them, don't trust a quick post top continuity buzzer test. 3) And don't get tunnel vision and obsess on one "got to be this" path, recheck grounds, fuses, switches before obsessing. You never know if the wiring diagram is completely accurate.

I really want to thank all of you that posted and replied. Your suggestions and questions really did help. When you "reminded" me to double or triple check grounds and fuses I should have listened better! You all rock!

 

[K5lwq]

Man don't feel bad! We all have been there done that! When I get "stumped" I just go back to the basics and us the KISS system to get me back on track.

I am so glad you got it back up and running! Having it down that long would drive me nuts! I admire your patience through the process! Congratulations on finding and fixing the problem!

 

[tmcj]

Good to hear that you finally got it running. You have to look at it this way though, you now have a much better understanding of your tractor's electrical and mechanical aspects and will be more familiar with things the next time something comes up. It was a good learning experience. Think of it that way every time you want to kick yourself, LOL. Seriously though, glad you got it going again.