[markks]

I've got a 318 with a P318 Replacement in it.
The Engine fires up and runs strong, The battery Light will remain ON. I try to move the lever from Neutral, then the engine wants to Die..
I try to put PTO Switch on, and the engine wants to Die..

I've put a voltage meter on battery when Idling and it reads between 13.5 & 14 volts at the battery.

I've looked through the history, but could not find the info, I was looking for.

Thanks!!!

 

[anime187]

msg sent to email mark

 

[gwc]

Check your seat safety switch Mark.Also check the safety switch for the hydro lever behind the dash...........

 

[wmgeorge]

I always thought if the safeties as the seat switch and neutral switch were open it would not start?
Sounds like its running but has no power. Unless the PTO coil is shorted or grounded and its dragging down the engine. Has the tractor ran before without a problem or is this a replacement engine on a unknown transmission?

 

[gwc]

On my 318 if I try to move the hydro lever and one of the safety switches are not plugged in all the way when you move the lever it will die. Now if you are sitting on the seat and the hydro is in the center it fires up and runs. Also one time the 3amp fuse was bad and it would start but die when I tried to move. Replaced it and all was good.

 

[dalekast]

You can check the safety switch on shift, by simply pushing the hydro lever directly to your right (do not push fwd or back, just press to right. This would release the switch, w/o putting any load on the engine - if engine continues to run, it is not the safety switch. If it is ok here, I would start checking plugs, wires, points n condenser (if applicable). May also want to check compression.

 

[markks]

The engine has ran fine. I have a hydro tiller mounted to it, and it's time to till the garden.
It has always been a good strong running machine.

But it starts up and revs up strong. I can still lift the tiller up and down while in neutral.

But the Battery light will not go off.
Then when I move the Hydro Lever to the right slightly it will shut down. As long as the hydro lever is at rest (to the left), runs great.

But would the Battery light come on because of a faulty safety switch??

 

[knottyrope]

sounds like a safety switch is still not made and there is a switch on the hydro lever that is part of that circuit.

 

[captaindan]

Mark, If the seat switch is working it should be supplying +12v to the TDCM, allowing you to move the hydro lever out of neutral. The seat switch gets the +12v from the 2 or 3A fuse. So check the 2A fuse and connections also. If this fuse is blown look for any chafing on the wire that goes to the seat switch. If that wire connects with ground it will blow the fuse. Hope this helps Dan

 

[jdmaninlouky]

Mark - your problem is likely in the seat switch , or wiring to it , in my humble opinion . You can (temporarily only) jump across the two terminals of seat switch at tractor end connector , to see if it's the switch , or possibly the wiring , or connections at the switch . My money is on the switch though . Seat switch is also easy to remove and test with a multi meter set on Ohms scale . They are notorious for going bad , especially if seat has taken on water inside the foam padding . They will rust out and fail to make the path needed to get to the safety interlock module .

Dave .

 

[markks]

You Guys are GOOD!!!!,
I had always thought the seat switch was an Open/Closed Ground Switch, and no current flowed through it. As Dan said "The seat switch gets the +12v from the 2 or 3A fuse" I pulled the battery and found one of the fuse holders empty and un-attached. The ends looked somewhat rusty so I replaced it with the newer style fuse holder.

And BINGO!!!,,

No Battery light on anymore.. I got it out and did some light tilling. Running just as strong as when it was new..

For the time, I've got a 10 amp fuse in it, but will swap it out ASAP..

Anyways Thanks Fellows!!!!