Seat Safety Switch / Cold Weather Woes

[boost2525]

So I plowed the driveway a few times yesterday and everything was fine. Got out to the barn this morning and my Mahindra Max 22 would not start. I immediately recognized it as a PTO or seat safety switch (it did that thing where all the lights work, the glow plugs work, but when you turn to the start position there's nothing... not even an attempt to start).

I farted around with the PTO levers a little, thinking I might have bumped one of them... still wouldn't start.

So I did something I'm not proud of... I disconnected the seat safety switch harness and shorted the circuit with a paper clip. Turned the key, and you guessed it... started just fine.

So here's my question, what in the world could be going on with that seat safety switch that makes it stop working in cold temps. This morning was probably the coldest I have ever attempted to start it since owning it (about 6'F / -8'F windchill).

Mechanically there are no concerns with the cold temps... it turned over and warmed up just fine. There's some sort of cold weather electrical gremlin though.

 

[davesl708]

Could be ice froze it. Put some alcohol down it to get the water out. let it dry and see if it moves freely.

 

[oosik]

As Dave has indicated - its either ice or just a little stiff because of the cold. You might also try an aerosol dry silicone lubricant spray on the switch to free it from sticking/binding.

BTW - Welcome to TBN and the forum.

 

[boost2525]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot tomorrow morning.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Or you could permanently jump the switch out and never have to mess with it again.

Not all new tractors even have them. My 3016 didn't come with one and I don't feel unsafe at all.

 

[s219]

very common for these switches to ice up after a lot of snow removal work or when used/stored outside in cold/wet/snowy weather.

 

[tngw1500se]

Mine was a problem so I jumped it when I first bought it. I've thought about jumping the clutch so I don't have to climb up on it to start it. My tractor is HSD.

PS: Another thing that will keep it from cranking is the HSD pedal. Sometimes I have to press it forward or back to get it to crank.

 

[airbiscuit]

Or you could permanently jump the switch out and never have to mess with it again.

Not all new tractors even have them. My 3016 didn't come with one and I don't feel unsafe at all.

Mine did the same thing last winter. I sprayed electronics cleaner in the connections and all was well. I saw a clever post elsewhere on TBN where someone put a manual switch on their seat safety switch. That way, they could disable it with the flip of a switch when it suited them.

 

[holeycow]

I couldn't put up with any of my tractors shutting down if I got out of the seat. I don't even like to have to push in the clutch to start the Kioti. I should just bypass that annoying feature.

 

[tngw1500se]

I couldn't put up with any of my tractors shutting down if I got out of the seat. I don't even like to have to push in the clutch to start the Kioti. I should just bypass that annoying feature.

I'm not sure I remembering correctly but I think it just kept you from starting it and didn't kill the engine if you got off but I could be wrong.