TC30 fuse blowing

[yelotele]

I am new to this forum. This is a great place! I have been reading many threads about blown fuses. My TC30 is blowing the #1 circuit. (owners manual states: Fuel solenoid, safety start circuit, instrument panel,guages and indicator lights, alternator). This has a 10 amp fuse. My owners manual shows a 5. The tractor does start but only runs a second or so, shutting down, and I check the fuse and it's blown.
We went through this a couple of weeks ago, but at that time the ignition switch had worked itself loose in the side panel. I removed the instrument panel to make sure no wires to the switch wre damaged, and all looked good. Put in a new fuse and it started right up. Now I'm thinking that switch had nothing to do with the problem. Seems like everything I have read here today, the tractors won't start. A couple times this morning that was the case, blowing a fuse as soon as I turned the switch, but now it is starting, but shutting down very quickly. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Keoke]

Yelotale, it looks like you are pulling too much (over 10 amps) though this circuit. When the fuse blows the fuel shut of solenoid shuts off fuel and engine goes off like it should.
You need to a put fused (20) amp meter across the open fuse socket and measure the amps. If above 10 amps, most likely, then pull the wire off the fuel solenoid and see what the amperage drops to. You are now only drawing amps for gauges and it should be very low. While leaving fuel solenoid wire off, turn to crank and see what the start circuit draws. The start circuit most likely triggers a relay which in turn powers up the starter solenoid.
Starter solenoids draw a lot of current (30 to 50 amps) and would not be wired to a 5 to 10 amp fuse.
Relays and solenoids can have copper to copper internal shorts or grounds that will keep them working unless circuit protectors (fuses & breakers) pop.
P.S., If you don't have access to an amp meter then buy a box of fuses and do the above, one at a time, until you find the circuit that is popping the fuse.

lots of luck,
george

 

[yelotele]

Thanks George,

Will try that tomorrow. Have to get it going, this thing has become my wife's baby since I've been laid up, and she's not too happy her tractor has quit. Here is a pic of her tilling web page /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[yelotele]

Follow-up: Since this tractor is still under warranty, I called local dealer's service man Monday afternoon. He had me check several things, and arranged for their driver to pick up the tractor on Tuesday right after lunch. Eugene pulled in, right when he said he would, checked out what it was doing, and winched it up on their roll-off.
About 2 hours later, he pulled back in with the tractor fixed and ready to work! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif He said it was a short in a wire, (these things have a lot of wires) and no charge.
That is excellent service!
And thanks George, for your reply, just with it under warranty, I thought I'd see what the dealer had to say first.
Bill