New member to TractorByNet with problem

[sanchezm]

Hello All,

I have owned a used 1994 John Deere 855 Compact Utility Tractor for several years now. It has given me some problems over the years, but nothing I have even had to take it to the dealer for. I'm pretty handy and an avid DIY kind of guy. Besides I like working on things myself and saving money too!

A problem I have had for well over a year now is that none of the lights work (3 small up front in flip up hood and 2 larger 4" X 6" in the rear fenders). When the problem first started the fuse was blown so I replaced it. Then it blew again a short time later. Again I replaced it, but this time it looked as if the fuse had over heated and was partially melted in the fuse holder. Not good, so I checked for shorts or faulty ground connections, but found nothing unusual. Since then I have never gotten the lights to work again. I'm beginning to think I still have a ground problem or my light switch is faulty.

If anyone else has experienced this problem or has any suggestions for me to try I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Mark

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[KPark]

Most straightforward way I can think of is to take the bulbs out of all the lights and test continuity with the fuse out from the fuse holder to ground. That will tell you if you have a short before any of the lights.

If that is not the case, check to see if the lights are wired properly. Maybe too much amperage for one circuit, or wrong type of bulb.

 

[rsewill]

Welcome!

You must have a direct short. Have you followed your wiring from the switch to the light to check for abrasion?

 

[moored4]

Most straightforward way I can think of is to take the bulbs out of all the lights and test continuity with the fuse out from the fuse holder to ground. That will tell you if you have a short before any of the lights.

If that is not the case, check to see if the lights are wired properly. Maybe too much amperage for one circuit, or wrong type of bulb.

X2

:welcome: to TBN! :thumbsup:

Happy :tractor: ing!

 

[kensnelling]

Welcome to the forums from Oklahoma.

Ken

 

[sanchezm]

Most straightforward way I can think of is to take the bulbs out of all the lights and test continuity with the fuse out from the fuse holder to ground. That will tell you if you have a short before any of the lights.

If that is not the case, check to see if the lights are wired properly. Maybe too much amperage for one circuit, or wrong type of bulb.

Thanks for the reply and information. Could you please go into more detail regarding the continuity testing though. Should I remove every single bulb connected to that fuse? Should I disconnect the battery before testing for continuity? Should the ignition key be in any particular position or turned off while checking continuity? Please let me know, thanks.

 

[creekbend]

Welcome aboard. Best wishes.

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[Little_Grizzly]

Thanks for the reply and information. Could you please go into more detail regarding the continuity testing though. Should I remove every single bulb connected to that fuse? Should I disconnect the battery before testing for continuity? Should the ignition key be in any particular position or turned off while checking continuity? Please let me know, thanks.

All bulbs out. You can disconnect the battery but I wouldn't say it's necessary. Remove the fuse. Ignition off (for now). DVM on "ohms". Start poking around. First is each end of the fuse to ground. You should see a short but the fuse already told us that! If you can literally follow the wires leaving the fuse that's the best but if not, go to the light sockets and test them to ground. keep working around until you find the short.