Max 28 won't start

   / Max 28 won't start #1  

oafdawg

New member
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
13
Location
Sandusky Ohio
Tractor
Mahindra Max 28
Max 28 shuttle won't start. New battery early summer, new ground cable and all terminals clean. I was able to start it by jumping the solenoid terminals with a remote starter switch last month, but now it'll turn over but won't fire. There's no power coming to the two smaller wires, black and red, going to the solenoid/starter when turning the key. The NGK glow plug controller buzzed a few times, but now there's no noise coming from it. No dash lights. no headlights, turn signals, everything is dead. Main fuse is OK along with the solenoid fuse. Does the glow plug controller supply power to everything or does it just run the glow plugs? Any ideas?
 

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   / Max 28 won't start #2  
i would start at the battery, and see if you have voltage to the fuse box.
 
   / Max 28 won't start #3  
These tractors have had a range of problems with wiring, often moisture/corrosion damage to the wiring harness at connectors. You'll need to start poking around to find the problem.
 
   / Max 28 won't start #4  
To answer your question - the glow plug controller probably powers just the glow plugs. With the cooler weather you probably need functioning glow plugs to start the engine from cold. If your starter rotates the engine and you have fuel at the injection pump you should start - assuming you also have a clean air filter. If your fuel filter is clogged or something is preventing fuel from flowing from the tank you'll get no start. Most newer tractors also have a fuel shutoff solenoid. Make sure yours is opening. If it stays closed you'll get no fuel to the engine.
 
   / Max 28 won't start
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Found the problem. The wiring harness on the right side under the dash collects water and of course the main hot wire splits into three wires right at the bottom where it bends and enters the engine compartment. It's just a crimp connection and the water in the harness causes it to corrode and eat the wires at the connection. Absolutely the worst place you could put such a connection.
wires.jpg
wires2.jpg
 
   / Max 28 won't start #6  
interesting failure, does your tractor live outside?
 
   / Max 28 won't start #7  
Found the problem. The wiring harness on the right side under the dash collects water and of course the main hot wire splits into three wires right at the bottom where it bends and enters the engine compartment. It's just a crimp connection and the water in the harness causes it to corrode and eat the wires at the connection. Absolutely the worst place you could put such a connection.

How about that. The frequent wiring problems we see on the Max models never cease to amaze me, it's like a plague. They really did a crappy job with the wiring harness. I've seen better wiring on used boats!
 
   / Max 28 won't start #8  
How about that. The frequent wiring problems we see on the Max models never cease to amaze me, it's like a plague. They really did a crappy job with the wiring harness. I've seen better wiring on used boats!
I spoke to probably 15 dealers back in the day, they said by far the Max line was their best model in terms of reliability. Your the first to talk about wiring issues, outside of a glow plug wire that melts.

i've been here since 15, and I prolly could count on one hand wiring issues for max that I have seen. where are you seeing all these issues?
 
   / Max 28 won't start #9  
I spoke to probably 15 dealers back in the day, they said by far the Max line was their best model in terms of reliability. Your the first to talk about wiring issues, outside of a glow plug wire that melts.

i've been here since 15, and I prolly could count on one hand wiring issues for max that I have seen. where are you seeing all these issues?

I don't own a Mahindra but am aware of the problem because it affected my neighbor's Max 28 several times going back to 2012, and then I noticed a pattern here on the forum. Offhand, I feel like we see 3-4 new threads every year about the issues. It can affect any of the wiring connectors in the harness, but some are more prone to issues than others (fuel shutoff solenoid connector is a common one, which is often mis-diagnosed as a fuel issue when it's really a wiring problem).

The search feature here isn't great, but here are a few threads that turned up in a quick search:




https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ms/threads/max-22-fuel-solenoid-again.412596/




 
   / Max 28 won't start #10  
hmm, guess i will go look at this wiring, mine is garage kept, but better to catch it early Thanks for the links
 

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