Raplacing combination switch on BX2660

[threeoranges]

I want to replace the combination switch on my BX2660, which is Kubota part number K2581-6224* (* being 0 or 2 optionally preceded by a dash).

On the Kubota site, the part is listed as discontinued.

The only ones I see for sale are aftermarket ones with a horn button which, when pressed, activates the rear warning lights.

I compared their header plug side by side against the original combination switch's, and there are 9 pins on the aftermarket ones, instead of 8 on the OEM one:

OEM connector on the BX2660 side:

In the WorkShop Manual (WSM) sections 6-S18 through S-23, the wiring is listed. The colors listed match the colors of the wires on the BX2660 side.

OEM connector on the combination switch side (the colors do no match the wires on the BX2660 side):

Aftermarket connector:

The pink and white wire in the second pin from the right is the connection in the aftermarket combination switch that is not in the OEM switch. I don't know what it does.

Sorry for the poor image; the OEM connector is worn and dirty:

The aftermarket connector has an extra pin with the pink and white wire above:

When you press the horn button, the rear lights start flashing, similar to the OEM switch being twisted to the symbol, but when you let go of the horn button, the rear lights revert back to being always on or off.

Questions:

1. Who manufactures this aftermarket combination switch? There are so many resellers of this switch (on eBay, Amazon, etc.) I can't figure out the origin (which is probably in China).
2. Has anyone really installed a horn on the BX2660?
3. Was a horn added by Kubota in later versions of the BX2660 or the BX series?
4. Is the K2871-62262 a real Kubota OEM switch which replaced the K2581-6224*, and which looks like this horn combination switch?
5. What does the pink wire do?
6. Has anyone successfully found an OEM or aftermarket combination switch for the BX2660 which allows the rear lights to be turned on to flash constantly?
7. Can swapping the pink wire with one of the original wires make it able to flash rear lights constantly?

Edit: Messicks seems to have it in stock, but when I searched their site for it earlier, they said it was discontinued and replaced by the K2871-62262. But they say they have 4 in stock, and the photos clearly don't have a red horn switch.

 

[mikester]

Sounds like you need to find a wiring diagram. Try your manual or get a copy of the WSM.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Here's a datasheet for them and you can get 4way instead of horn option.
Naturally found this AFTER I'd replaced the one on my BX23S 2 months ago.......

Your problem is that 'horn' is a momentary operation, while '4way' is 'on-off'.
easy remedy , order the correct switch...
more challenging, add 'latching relay' between horn button and 4way control wire.

 

[Dustball]

K2581-62240 was for tractors with serial numbers 55350 and lower and has been superseded by K2581-62242. K2581-62242 is the one you want.

 

[threeoranges]

Sounds like you need to find a wiring diagram. Try your manual or get a copy of the WSM.

As I said in my original post, I've looked at the WSM.

 

[threeoranges]

Your problem is that 'horn' is a momentary operation, while '4way' is 'on-off'.
easy remedy , order the correct switch...
more challenging, add 'latching relay' between horn button and 4way control wire.

The problem is that 99.999% of sites say that the old "4way" switch has been discontinued, and has been replaced with the horn switch.

I was actually thinking of dissecting the unit with the horn switch and replacing it with an off-on toggle switch. Push-on, push-off. Similar to the flasher switch in a car.

Hopefully the unit I found will eliminate the need for that kind of electronics surgery.

 

[threeoranges]

Oh, and sites are selling the horn switch as "compatible" with the original K2581-6224* switch, which is deceptive. Look at this angry Amazon reviewer's comments:

Check out this Amazon review of TOPAZ K2581-62240 K2581-62242 Combination Switch Fit for Kubota BX2360 BX24D BX25 BX2660D

No, it does NOT fit my BX25 Kubota tractor. This ones going back.

a.co

 

[threeoranges]

K2581-62240 was for tractors with serial numbers 55350 and lower and has been superseded by K2581-62242. K2581-62242 is the one you want.

View attachment 136585

As I said,

> "Kubota part number K2581-6224* (* being 0 or 2 optionally preceded by a dash)."

the *62240 and *62242 are, for all intents and purposes, the same. They are not the horn switch. But the Kabota and 99.99% of other sites say that both of them have been discontinued, and replaced with the horn switch.

 

[fried1765]

Oh, and sites are selling the horn switch as "compatible" with the original K2581-6224* switch, which is deceptive. Look at this angry Amazon reviewer's comments:

Check out this Amazon review of TOPAZ K2581-62240 K2581-62242 Combination Switch Fit for Kubota BX2360 BX24D BX25 BX2660D

No, it does NOT fit my BX25 Kubota tractor. This ones going back.

a.co

SOME Kubota tactors DO have a horn!

 

[whitetiger]

This is the correct switch for your tractor.

https://www.colemanequip.com/parts/...ight---Hazard-Combination-Switch/K2581-62242/

 

[threeoranges]

My original questions still stand. Rephrasing:

• Why are so many sites saying that the K2581-62240/K2581-62242 have been totally discontinued, and that the horn switch is the only replacement?
• Why are so many of them falsely selling the horn switch as the K2581-62240/K2581-62242?
• Was an actual horn added to certain Kubota models, and did it replace the emergency blinkers?
• What is the function of that extra pink and white wire on the second pin? I cannot find any reference of that in my BX2660 WSM, but I wouldn't know where to look.

 

[threeoranges]

This is the correct switch for your tractor. View attachment 136608

https://www.colemanequip.com/parts/...ight---Hazard-Combination-Switch/K2581-62242/

I know; please read my OP. But try finding someone selling it who doesn't say that it's been discontinued and tries to sell you a horn switch instead. Even Messick's says that it's been discontinued, unless you find a back door way into their site (a Google search happened to stumble upon it).

 

[threeoranges]

Kubota dealers:

We are experiencing a manufacturing shortfall of K2581-62242 combination switches, so we ask that you say they have been discontinued, and sell the K2871-62262 horn switches in their place.

No one actually uses emergency lights on a tractor, not even when driving at night on a country road, so this inconvenience should be minimal.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: No one actually uses emergency lights on a tractor, not even when driving at night on a country road, so this inconvenience should be minimal.

Well guess I'm 'no one'. I have mine on all the time. As soon as the key is turned, wait for 5 flashes,then start the engine. '4 ways' aka 'emergency' lights are ALWAYS flashing,whether I'm on the road or working in the field.

K287162262 is the part I used to replace mine after I broke he turn signal lever portion.
Kinda curious what the difference is int he switch as it looks the same....

 

[whitetiger]

My original questions still stand. Rephrasing:

• Why are so many sites saying that the K2581-62240/K2581-62242 have been totally discontinued, and that the horn switch is the only replacement?
• Why are so many of them falsely selling the horn switch as the K2581-62240/K2581-62242?
• Was an actual horn added to certain Kubota models, and did it replace the emergency blinkers?
• What is the function of that extra pink and white wire on the second pin? I cannot find any reference of that in my BX2660 WSM, but I wouldn't know where to look.

The Kubota K Pad shows the latest switch as K2581-62242. When you put K2581-24242 into the parts search of Coleman Equipment parts search, the correct switch comes up as I posted in post #10.
What is shown on eBay, Amazon, and such is their error.
The switch they are showing with the horn button is used on RTV's or B/LX series, I am not sure which.

 

[whitetiger]

I know; please read my OP. But try finding someone selling it who doesn't say that it's been discontinued and tries to sell you a horn switch instead. Even Messick's says that it's been discontinued, unless you find a back door way into their site (a Google search happened to stumble upon it).

If you click on the link to Colemans that I supplied, you will see they have 2 in stock at the Bonner Springs location.

 

[threeoranges]

Well guess I'm 'no one'.

It was satire

 

[threeoranges]

If you click on the link to Colemans that I supplied, you will see they have 2 in stock at the Bonner Springs location.

Thanks, but I already have one on the way.

 

[threeoranges]

What is shown on eBay, Amazon, and such is their error.
The switch they are showing with the horn button is used on RTV's or B/LX series, I am not sure which.

Then they're lazy. They don't know or care what they're selling, as long as it makes them a buck.

What I find interesting (or scary) is how widespread this movement is among K2581-62242 "sellers".

Why this overwhelming tendency towards selling a horn switch in its place? Or to falsely advertise the horn switch as it?

 

[threeoranges]

You would think that finding a K2581-62242 would be simple and straightforward, but it has been extraordinarily difficult, with everyone redirecting to the horn switch.