New M100GX yesterday, broke down 1 hour later

[Rudevette]

The service tech was out and jiggled some connectors and things and it started working. He said he didn't know what he did. That's not very reassuring but we will see.

 

[zzvyb6]

You must have skipped the 'Wiring Jiggle' class back there in the School of Life. When your TV went on the blink, didn't you jiggle it? When your computer STB's, don't you smack it a few times? Just wait for your first heart attack and see what happens when the EMS shows up. They'll either smack YOU or the defibrillator first.

 

[ovrszd]

Bummer. I'd be very disappointed as well. Now you'll be all paranoid about it.

Since the service guy didn't really find anything, it'll probably happen again. It's definitely a loose connection or something similar. The milli-second you turn on the key the computer diagnoses everything. If it gets a faulty reading it throws codes and immediately tries to protect itself. In your case it immobilized the tractor in defense.

Had a new $200,000 John Deere Road Grader put itself into limp mode simply because I went thru the shifter gate from reverse to forward too fast...... At 2 a.m., zero degree F, 6 miles from home, I was not amused. Shut the machine off and restarted, everything was fine.

Sorry you are having problems. Hang in there. You'll take a bath if you trade this tractor. In your best interests to ride it out and see what develops.

 

[MHarryE]

Fixing by jiggling the wires is right from the workshop manual. The mechanic should have followed up by going through every connector to insure it was properly connected. In addition, pins in connectors might not be properly inserted into the terminal when the harness when it was built, something more difficult to spot but once a person has experience, much easier to spot. Caterpillar's Electronic Technician has a feature called the jiggle test. With the system connected to a computer running ET, jiggle each connector. The computer will identify any connector that at any time loses connection for a microsecond during the "jiggle" test. Big time saver for a problem like this where you have a bad connection and shaking things up fixes it - possibly until the mechanic makes the turn out of your driveway.

Sure, computers create complexity, but they also provide golden opportunities. A while back a pilot made a sequence of control changes on an older version Airbus and ripped the tail off the plane killing a couple hundred passengers. Current narrow body Airbus offerings are all have a computer interface. Today an airworthiness directive was issued to upgrade all those airliners in the U.S. to a new software version that will not allow the pilot flying to use that sequence of control inputs that will rip the tail off. Takes all the fun out of, "Hold my beer and watch this!" However I prefer flying in a plane where the pilots (only human) have reduced ability to screw up.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I've not had your particular problem on my M135GX but I did have some early hour teething problems due to wire connectors not being fully snapped into place. The CANbus handles virtually all of the electronics - everything running through computers. Your error code indicates that the CACbus has been interrupted for more than 5 seconds. CANbus wiring for the ECU is disconnected or there is a power feed problem to the ECU (fuse or wiring disconnect). In order to reduce wiring problems which, unless rodents eat your wiring, are most frequently connector problems, connectors are always being improved so they are less likely to come apart due to vibration, bouncing around, or messed up by water. As a result of the improvements, they are more difficult to connect. A nice thing about the electronics - self diagnosis. Bad thing in this case - it doesn't say which connector has caused the problem. Maybe your dealer has some trouble shooting tips from Kubota based on machine history - not available when the DSM was written.

Our latest additions were a Kubota in 2011, John Deere in 2012, and Kubota in 2013. On a mean time between failure basis they are all about equal but the 2013 Kubota is the only one that has needed to go back to the dealer. However that is also the tractor that has had no repair cost - all failures have been under warranty. In addition we have another Deere and a New Holland in our frequently used fleet and none stand out as particularly trouble free or trouble prone.

Sheesh, why doesn't everybody step up and spend the money for Delphi Metripack connectors, the gold standard in the industry instead of fiddling around with the brittle plastic knock offs?

That said, the entire car world has a wiggle test primarily looking for opens.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Sheesh, why doesn't everybody step up and spend the money for Delphi Metripack connectors

actually, that's what most of them are. Metripacks are really common on equipment. Expensive little buggers, but cool stuff. Ever seen a LAMO connector? looks like something from NASA.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

actually, that's what most of them are. Metripacks are really common on equipment. Expensive little buggers, but cool stuff. Ever seen a LAMO connector? looks like something from NASA.

I've only seen cannon plug connectors on aviation applications. I've seen Metripacks used selectively on some not-Delphi systems, but I have not seen them used elsewhere. That said, as opposed to my automotive exposure, my HD equipment exposure is limited. What I have been exposed to are frequent use of cheaper, brittle-plastic knock-offs. That said, I hope you're right.

 

[TomSeller]

All brands have small glitches. I trust the Kubota dealer will figure it out. If not, the watorranty is with Kubota and they are at the higher end of customer satisfaction.

Like a marraige, gotta work thorough the rough spots. Starting over is expensive, so I advise to work it out.

 

[crazyal]

I would use it a little, you paid for it you might as well get some seat time. But I would also talk to your friend/ the dealer and ask if they can go through it better to make sure that what ever the problem was has been fixed. The mechanic should be able to find out more information that you from the trouble codes. I know with the equipment I service when we get a fault code the service manual (or if it's not documented the manufacturer) will tell me what part is malfunctioning. If wiggling things fixed the problem then it's most likely a connector or a ground that's not being made properly. The mechanic should be able to look at the schematics and locate all the connectors that should be checked. I think any good dealer would take the time to get it right.