Tractor just stopped running

solomon · Feb 10, 2013

I have a 2007 M-F GC2310 that I purchased new that now has 599 hours. I work it hard on my 5 acre New Hampshire horse farm, however, I have always maintained it per the maintenance schedule and it always has run great. I was using it today when it suddenly stopped running. I checked the fuses (including the two slow-blow fuses) and all are fine. The seat safety switch is connected and appears fine. Range selector is in neutral, PTOs are not engaged. Diesel is fresh and level is good. Coolant level is good. Headlights and flashers work. The dash battery and oil lights do not light (as they normally do) when ignition switch is turned to on (bulbs appear fine). I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

murphy1244 · Feb 10, 2013

First, Repost this under Massey Ferguson Forum. 2. Check your battery grounds.

Treemonkey1000 · Feb 10, 2013

So does the starter click at all? Sometimes there is a fusible link in the electrical that may have blown. If you have a wire harness that is pinched and shorting. Can you check the voltage at the battery? See if it has 13-14 volts on the terminals. Then turn the key over and see what the voltage drops to. You may have a bad battery especially if it is the original from 2007.

solomon · Feb 10, 2013

Thanks for the reply! Battery checks fine - no clicks - no nothing from the starter. Machine just died right in the middle of working it. Looked at everything I could think of - even got the manual out and went through their trouble shooting recommendations - everything checks out but still nothing.

solomon · Feb 10, 2013

Thanks for the reply! Battery ground good. Machine just stopped running right in the middle of working it (had been running it for about two hours then ... just died). Checked out everything the trouble shooting guide suggested - but no luck yet.

Treemonkey1000 · Feb 10, 2013

The Guru's of this site might move this blog to Massey machines. Murphy could be right about checking grounds even if they look good externally to take them off and brighten up the metal with sandpaper or something. Not being familiar with that machine if it has electronic fuel injection or electric fuel pump. With it not clicking you might try jumping it with another vehicle or battery if you can. The battery can still be toast

woodlandfarms · Feb 10, 2013

So lets back up. You have a diesel tractor that was putting along and then it just went dead. Dead with a burble or just stopped dead. Did it wind down, or go with a clunk?

Second, You turn the key and nothing happens. Do the lights come on? is there any auditory cue that electricity is getting to the engine?

Answer these questions and it will lead us to the next things to check.

Redneck in training · Feb 11, 2013

I would bet ignition switch got bad. Is the tractor parked outside or does it sleep inside? Might be water caused corrosion.

GManBart · Feb 11, 2013

It has to be a fuel delivery problem, because their isn't an ignition system to fail, but that isn't the cause...it's a symptom. The fuel pump isn't energized except when they ignition key is in the "on" position. If the ignition switch failed, it wouldn't energize the pump, and it would quit running. You can probably take the switch apart, and use clip leads to jump the contacts to energize the circuits to get it to start and keep running, but you'll likely need a schematic to avoid the guesswork....I was never good at hot wiring cars ;-)

Redneck in training · Feb 11, 2013

Ignition switch is "generic" for starting switch. There is a solenoid operated when the switch is in Run position that enables the injection pump. Check if there is voltage on the solenoid. The solenoid might be bad.

cmhyland · Feb 11, 2013

Were you working the machine in heavy brush or snow? If so you'll need to crawl under and see if a wire was pulled off a saftey switch... I'd look at the switch on the clutch. Also it's possible the switch was moved from it's proper position so no longer making contact....

Also have youu tried shorting the starter solonoid to see if it will turn over? IF it does and starts it's simple to replace the solonoid.

Regards,
Chris

don45640 · Feb 11, 2013

Happened on my backhoe one year right in the middle of a county highway,plowin'heavy snow. I was stumped,but fortunately all it needed was a new switch,which had quit actuating the injection solenoid which shut off fuel to the injection pump. Could be that simple,like a previous poster said. don-ohio

solomon · Feb 11, 2013

Thanks for the reply. I was moving snow with the loader (had been doing so for about an hour-and-a-half), I was backing up starting to turn and the tractor stopped running. No burble, no winding down - just stopped cold. Immediately turned the key - nothing. No click, no sounds at all. Lights work, directionals, and flashers work as well. Checked all the fuses - all appear good. Checked seat safety connection - appears good.

I welcome any suggestions. And, thanks in advance.

solomon · Feb 11, 2013

Thanks for the suggestion - it does stay outside (though I do use the plastic guard for the switch) - I'll check the switch nonetheless. Again, thanks.

don45640 · Feb 11, 2013

Yeah.....still sounds like the switch or maybe a loose connection at the starter solenoid? Hope you get it fixed real quick and let us know the solution,okay? don-ohio

^)

solomon · Feb 11, 2013

Thanks for the suggestion. Checked out the switch - it's not disconnected, loose, or broken wires, it's not shorted and it passes power through it (headlights turn on when switch is turned to on). Onto to the solenoid. Will be sure to let you know what is ultimately is.

solomon · Feb 13, 2013

Solenoid is good don-ohio. It pushes in and springs back nicely. Per another member's recommendation I went through the fuel system (checking for water, clogging, etc.) all seems good. As I mentioned to another member, when this is said and done, my tractor will be fully serviced

Thanks again for you input. Will let you know what it turns out to be.

solomon · Feb 13, 2013

Thanks for the reply murphy1244! I took you advice and reposted on the M-F forum. Have received great advice there as well. Battery terminals and the ground line are in excellent condition. Battery tests at over 90%. Not sure how to circut test the system as a whole (if it's even possible), so I have been trying subsystems - tester reads zero after the switch yet shows the switch is good. The wires are in good shape nothing loose or broken and no corrosion. I'm headed to my M-F dealer for a new switch anyway. Thanks again!

solomon · Feb 13, 2013

Hey everyone - finally got it! I decided to start over (a suggestion from my wife!) which meant starting with the fuses. I checked those first thing immediately after the breakdown. Every one of them looked good. No breaks, no burn spots, nothing. So I moved on. This time I tested them and the one farther to the right in the fuse block was defective! Visually it looked brand new. Lesson learned: fuses don't always tell the truth just by looking at them! And I am feeling somewhat foolish.

Thanks to everyone and all of your suggestions! This is a great site with terrific people on it! Hope to be able to return the favor one day.

Solomon