Things are only worse! Help!!!!

tractorpig · Jul 23, 2005

Things are worse today.The radiator was rodded out and replaced. They said it was in bad shape but in like new condition when I got it back. Well after installing it, I went to turn it over and it cranked a couple of times then a ground wire began to burn through. I never did get it to start. I spent the entire day tracking down the wire and it appears to connect to a three prong connection on the right side of the tractor to a unit just behind the fuel filter. Every time I try and start it, this wire heats up and begins to burn through......does this have something to do with the stater and what is this unit behind the fuel filter.

shvl73 · Jul 23, 2005

Check your ground wire. I drove a truck that the ground wire would get loose or rusty and it would smoke the wires to the alternator.

mark777 · Jul 23, 2005

Not too familiar with your FX20 but the only thing that I can think of near or behind the fuel filter would be the oil sender and wire....which is usually on the block. Clutch safety switch wiring maybe???

Yeah...that's true. A loose ground can get just as hot as a positive wire. Hope you find it soon.

Mark

tractorpig · Jul 23, 2005

Tell me more....I've noticed that the oil light whcih nomally comes on as I turn the key does not come on now.....what is its function and could it cause this problelm?

kenmac · Jul 23, 2005

I don't think the oil light would make your ground wire get hot .The oil sending unit controlls the oil light.If it is working right, when the engine starts pumping oil it puts pressure on the oil sending unit causing the light to go off.It should stay on with just the switch turned on.

EFC · Jul 23, 2005

shvl73 is correct. Your main ground wire from your Battery is not making good contact with the frame so it is finding the next path to ground. We see this problem ALOT. Make sure your ground wire is securely fastened and the frame and cable are sanded clean. If your battery ground cable is just connected to the radiator support throw it away and get a new one that reaches the frame. Remember to sand a nice shiny spot where you bolt it just tightening the bolt won’t do it.

Buck

kenmac · Jul 23, 2005

Yes , and its hard to keep a good ground if you leave it outside because rust will began to form around your good ground spot. I have this problem with my elec. trailer brakes all the time.I have to clean the ground from time to time to keep my trailer brakes working.

BigAl · Jul 23, 2005

I am going to ask a really dumb question . Is this a postive ground tractor ? I had one years and years ago and made the mistake of hooking it up to the battery wrong . Just a thought .
Did you have to remove the battery when you removed the radiator ? Maybe something got pinch putting it back in . Check for wires that are touching bare metal .
Allen

Cord · Jul 23, 2005

What is happening is that the main ground wire has come loose and is no longer conducting current. All the current is then going through this secondary wire. The wire can't handle the current so it's burning out. By replacing the wire repeatedly, you are fixing the symptom, but not addressing the cause. Please stop and take the time to properly diagnose the problem before you proceed. If you don't things will only get more expensive to fix.

tractorpig · Jul 24, 2005

No change gentlemen, I took the time this evening and made positively sure the ground was secure. Same problem occured. Can some one tell me what the small unit to the rear of the fuel filter on the right side of the tractor is. It has a three wire connector coming out of it and a spring on the rear?