X340 dies when clutch/brake pedal release

[Kenster]

My X340 started up quickly this morning but as soon as I released the clutch/brake pedal it died. At first I thought it might just need to warm up but after several minutes it continued to die after releasing the pedal - with me sitting in the seat. I put a couple of large stones on the seat then attempted to start with my manually pushing in on the plunger switch that is activated by the brake pedal. It started fine but as soon as I released the plunger switch the tractor died.

I don't have the tools to check continuity in this switch but does it sound like the plunger switch is the problem. Should be a simple fix just to replace the switch, right?
Of course, NOTHING is ever that simple for me.

I appreciate your guidance.

Ken
Bellville TX

 

[George2615]

Sounds more like your seat switch is not working. If you can't check continuity just unplug the seat switch, plug in a jumper wire and try again. If when releasing the clutch it stays running you know the seat switch isn't working.

 

[beenthere]

Sounds like a different safety switch than the seat. But check that the PTO switch is not "on" or engaged.

 

[Kenster]

Been There, on this tractor it won't even turn over if the PTO is engaged.

George2615, I'm not much of an electrician especially in regards to motorized equipment. I understand the concept of a jumper but how would I make, and use on, in this application? Actually, I'm more tempted just to bypass it. I suppose all that would require is snipping the wires on either side of the seat switch and tape/wire lock them together?

Thanks!

 

[George2615]

Been There, on this tractor it won't even turn over if the PTO is engaged.

George2615, I'm not much of an electrician especially in regards to motorized equipment. I understand the concept of a jumper but how would I make, and use on, in this application? Actually, I'm more tempted just to bypass it. I suppose all that would require is snipping the wires on either side of the seat switch and tape/wire lock them together?

Thanks!

Just for a test take a small piece of wire (12 or 14 gauge) and strip 1/2" insulation off each end. Unplug the seat switch and push the stripped ends of wire into the plug then start and engage the clutch. If it stays running it is the seat switch. At that point you can make a more permanent jumper by crimping male spade connectors on the stripped wire ends, push them into the plug and use electrical tape to hold them in place.

 

[Kenster]

George, should the tractor start at all if the seat safety switch is inop? Again, it starts and runs fine until I let off the brake pedal. I just assumed that it wouldn't turn over if the seat switch was bad. Just like if the PTO is engaged. No turnover. No nothing.

 

[Deere Dude]

My JD x740 will start and run if I am not on the seat but have the brake pushed in. Standing off to the side, once I let off of the brake the engine kills. That would be the same scenario as if a seat switch wouldn't work or is disconnected.

 

[George2615]

George, should the tractor start at all if the seat safety switch is inop? Again, it starts and runs fine until I let off the brake pedal. I just assumed that it wouldn't turn over if the seat switch was bad. Just like if the PTO is engaged. No turnover. No nothing.

Not necessarily, It depends on how the circuit is wired. My tractor is a different brand but most are similar. I can start my tractor without sitting in the seat. But my seat switch is also wired into the HST circuit. That means I can start it without being in the seat but I have to be sitting on the seat or it will stall when I engage the HST fwd. or backward. Similar to what yours is doing. You are trying to let the clutch up which the tractor safeties assume you are in the operators seat. However, if the circuit detects you are not in the seat (or a bad switch) it will shut down for safety. I suspect your circuit is wired similar. When you let the clutch up the next circuit must be made or it will stall.

 

[BBO]

My X340 started up quickly this morning but as soon as I released the clutch/brake pedal it died.

Does it die as if you simply cut the switch off or does it choke down as if some great load was on the engine?
If it was some pulley or belt in the drive train was frozen it might cause this.

When an engine is running and you push the brake in you normally are releasing tension on the power train belt.
As you release the brake, tightening the belt, you can listen for squeals, scrubs, bumps, vibration whatever indicating you need to remove the deck and look at all the parts underneath.

On mine the seat switch just stops the blades but on some mowers it kills the engine.
Someone else will have to explain how the X340 works. Do you have an owners manual?

Look at this..
https://www.deere.co.uk/en_GB/docs/..._H6e/OMM154282_H6e/Output/OMM154282_H6e7.html

 

[Kenster]

BBQ, if I release the brake pedal it dies quickly, as if I had turned the key off. My seat switch kills the engine if I get up off the seat, unless the parking brake is engaged, in which case it will continue to run but will kill the mower.

I'm going to concentrate on the seat switch and see if that isolates the problem. I THINK I've figured out how to use a jumper to bypass the switch....

Strip the ends off a short length of wire and plug each end of the wire into the seat switch plug?