TC35D engine cutting out

snowbound · Jan 1, 2004

My TC35D engine is cutting out as soon as I take off the parking brake. It will start and run as long as I like but then as soon as I take off the parking brake or shift to the "I" range from the neutral position, the engine cuts out. It doesn't cough or sputter, it's more like it gets killed by a switch. I am staying fully in the seat so it's not that interlock.

I also just fueled the tractor. So I am wondering about whether there could be water or air in the fuel system. But this doesn't make sense to me because the tractor will run as long as I like until I take off the parking brake.

The tractor operates the loader without problem so the engine can deliver some power; and the engine is quitting before any load is placed on it when I take the parking brake off.

The tractor is also pointing down a bit of a slope, but this hasn't been a problem in the past.

I have the feeling that it's some stupid thing but it's not one of those stupid things that I've thought of yet. I'm going out to check the fuel cap again...

Ideas welcome.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 1, 2004

I would bet that you have a short in the cut off switch or a problem with the cut off switch that is under your seat. Double check the switch and make sure it is working properly. If the tractor dies as you release the parking brake that sounds like a safety cut off that is malfunctioning.

tc35dforme · Jan 1, 2004

There is a switch on the brake that will allow you to dismount the tractor ( ignoring the butt switch /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) so long as the parking brake is set and your in neutral. This has to be the problem. Check for the switch down by the brake linkage. It has a rubber boot... look for ice, a misalignment, or yanked wires. Your owners manual includes some pretty good schematics ( once you learn to read the code ) and you should be able to troubleshoot from there.

snowbound · Jan 1, 2004

Well it was pretty simple. The connector for the seat switch had worked it's way loose. I seated it properly, and all is well. But I'm going to look at it again when the light is better to see if there isn't a more reliable way for that assembly to be fastened. The seat switch itself seems pretty loose in the seat frame.

So this is one of those ones which will be pretty easy to deal with if it ever comes up again.

jinman · Jan 1, 2004

Snowbound, I think your problem is the seat switch. As TC35Dforme pointed out, you can get out of the tractor seat as long as the parking brake is set and the transmission is in neutral. If the tractor thinks you are not in the seat, then as soon as you take the brake off or out of neutral range, the engine gets shut down. Check your seat switch; I think you'll find that is your problem. If you have to, disconnect the wire going to the seat switch and short across the contacts so that your tractor thinks you are in the seat all the time. If this works, then you either have a faulty seat switch or the plug is not making good contact.

Well! You fixed your problem while I was posting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ...glad to know that I had diagnosed the correct thing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

snowbound · Jan 1, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Snowbound, I think your problem is the seat switch. As TC35Dforme pointed out, you can get out of the tractor seat as long as the parking brake is set and the transmission is in neutral.)</font>

Exactly right. I much appreciate the good ideas here which make life a lot easier.

MackAttack · Jan 1, 2004

Snow bound, I had the same problem with my TC35D. My problem was caused by snow or ice buidup (which we get alot of here in central NY). I flip up the seat and brush the snow and ice off and around the seat plate . This has occured a few times and this process fixed it every time. Good Luck

PS My barn is almost complete so hopefully this problem will be permantly corrected shortly.

snowbound · Jan 2, 2004

When I look into the connection I will consider wrapping it in that tape they have for wrapping outdoor antenna connections:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/antsup/1194.html

I've used it before with antennas.

I'm glad you mentioned that ice and snow can cause this, because that makes sense - the tractor was exposed to a lot of snow and ice the last time I used it - and if that's what caused it, I bet the coax-seal will do nicely.

rambler · Jan 2, 2004

Don't know how they can make a tractor with kill switches & call it a useful tool in the first place. Blah. I understand interconnects on starting. But once running, keep it running.

Else we need to wrap every human being in fireproofed cotton balls & protect them from ever touching or operating anything to really keep them 'safe' from everything always.

--->Paul