NH 345D Wont go into gear

Archetech · Nov 15, 2014

My 345D has decided it doesn't want to go into gear. It does not have a clutch, forget what that's called, and when I put it into forward or reverse nothing happens. It started acting funny a few days ago when it went into gear for a while but as the tractor heated up, it became more and more difficult to get it to go. It finally just stopped going into gear all together so I shut the tractor off and once it cooled down a bit, it went back into gear long enough for me to get it back to the barn. Now, it just wont go into gear at all.
There is a small panel just in front of the gear shifting sticks that is near my left foot when seated on the tractor. (See Pics below) Behind that panel is a electronic box of sorts that all the wiring goes into, before it goes into the transmission. When the tractor started acting up, if I jiggled that panel, it would go into gear. Do you think this little box needs to be replaced? If so what is it called? I cant find it on the horrible diagrams New Holland has on their online parts catalog. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Archetech · Nov 19, 2014

Anyone have any ideas on what this little electrical box is called? Or, do you need any more info to diagnose the problem?
Thanks.

Spicer · Nov 19, 2014

The word your looking for is torque converter.

Is the transmission a 4 X 4 or 8 X 8 range transmission?

Electronic Control Unit #40
View attachment TRANSMISSION VALVE %26 HOUSING%2C 4 X 4.pdf

Mike

Archetech · Nov 25, 2014

Thanks Spicer. I believe its a 4x4.
I finally found the part and your correct. Its the Electronic Control Unit #40. Now I just hope that's the fix.
Thanks again.

Spicer · Nov 25, 2014

The Electronic Control unit operates the valve that engages the clutches. The valve is located on the top of the transmission behind the bell housing.

Your tractor is going into gear but the clutches are not engaging.

If jiggling the wires enabled the clutch i would think you have a loose wire connection. Since the clutch isn't working at all I would first look at the incoming power for the Electronic Control Unit.

Mike

TractorTech · Dec 3, 2014

Archetech, the transmission ECU is fed power through a 5 amp fuse #21 (etched on fuse box or see diagram in op. manual) in the fuse box behind the battery. The supply goes to the clutch button on the LH floorboard which interrupts power to the transmission ECU. As Spicer said, possible loose wire in that circuit, most likely by clutch button, but what you describe sounds more like pump problem or internal problem as the transmission oil heats up. I am basing this on an assumption that your description, "won't go into gear" means it moves, but as it heats up moves slower until it doesn't move. If this is the case, then transmission pressures should be taken, but most likely result in the transmission shuttle requiring rebuilding.

Is the oil level correct? Have you changed the filter recently?

Could also check pickup strainer on the bottom of the transmission (#14)

, but probably not the cause.

Also, 4x4 has one transmission shifter, while 8x8 transmission has two.