L3901 won't start, possibly after seat safety triggered

[Timmer92]

Hello all,

My 20 year old daughter is tiny and struggles to use our tractor. She has to have the seat all the way up and sometimes the seat safety mechanism is triggered because there isn't enough weight towards the back of the seat. She had just moved the tractor and was getting off and it died. It's possible the tractor was still moving slightly when she jumped off as we were working quickly because a bad storm was rolling in (hailing as I type this). I can't say for sure the seat triggered the shut off, but it is my best guess. Currently, the tractor panel has all the normal lights, there are no errors, but it won't start. I have turned it off and on several times. I haven't yet tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Any thoughts on next steps?

Edited for clarification - it doesn't turn over.

Thanks for your wisdom!

 

[Mr Haney]

If you bypass the switch with a wire, it will tell you whether the switch is preventing the tractor from starting.

I disable these switches. I'm sure they're fine for long sessions in row crops, but for anything that involves getting on and off the tractor, they are torture devices.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

My guess is it's not the seat switch.

Check to make sure the h s t pedal is in neutral and the p t o lever is in neutral.

Give that a try and let us know what happens.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Is the PTO on?

 

[Timmer92]

Is the PTO on?

We were not using the PTO. We were using the forks to move hay bales.

 

[TheOldHokie]

We were not using the PTO. We were using the forks to move hay bales.

Does the engjne crank with the starter?

 

[TheOldHokie]

If you bypass the switch with a wire, it will tell you whether the switch is preventing the tractor from starting.

I disable these switches. I'm sure they're fine for long sessions in row crops, but for anything that involves getting on and off the tractor, they are torture devices.

The seat switch on a L3901 has no impact on getting on and off the tractor.

Dan

 

[Timmer92]

Does the engjne crank with the starter?

Thanks for this clarifying question. It does not crank. That is the issue. I will note that in my original post.

Does the engjne crank with the starter?

It does not crank.

 

[Timmer92]

Well, my problem is solved, but I can't say what the issue or solution was. I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes. While it was disconnected, I moved the hydrostatic pedal back and forth in an attempt to make sure it was returning to the neutral position between forward and reverse. I then shifted it between L, N, M, N, and H and back to N. And even though we had never touched the PTO and it was disengaged, I moved that to engaged and back again. I then reconnected the battery and it started immediately. So, either a lever was out of place or the battery disconnect reset some computer function.

I appreciate everyone's assistance!

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thanks for this clarifying question. It does not crank. That is the issue. I will note that in my original post.

It does not crank.

Then its not the seat safety switch. You can start that tractor standing on the ground.

Possibly PTO or HST switch.

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

Well, my problem is solved, but I can't say what the issue or solution was. I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes. While it was disconnected, I moved the hydrostatic pedal back and forth in an attempt to make sure it was returning to the neutral position between forward and reverse. I then shifted it between L, N, M, N, and H and back to N. And even though we had never touched the PTO and it was disengaged, I moved that to engaged and back again. I then reconnected the battery and it started immediately. So, either a lever was out of place or the battery disconnect reset some computer function.

I appreciate everyone's assistance!

Not 100% certain I have this exactly right but ISTR having a no crank problem shortly after taking delivery of my L3901. It came right out of the blue and was resolved by "jiggling" the micro switch on the PTO lever. Never had it again.

Another common one is engine shutting off as soon as you start the tractor in motion. That is the seat switch and can be caused by something left under the seat.

Dan

 

[whitetiger]

Disconnecting the battery cable on an L01 series tractor has no more effect curing a no crank problem as kicking the Left Rear tire.

 

[Mr Haney]

The seat switch on a L3901 has no impact on getting on and off the tractor.

Dan

It shuts the tractor off, which is annoying.

 

[TheOldHokie]

It shuts the tractor off, which is annoying.

Not on an L3901 HST You can get on and off all you want. You dont even have to set the parking brake. Do it all day every day.

Dan

 

[Mr Haney]

I had to go out and look at my machines to see what you are talking about. I was apparently conflating my Kubota tractor with my Kubota mowers and JD garden tractor, which have seat switches that kill the engines as soon as you stand up.

 

[whitetiger]

I had to go out and look at my machines to see what you are talking about. I was apparently conflating my Kubota tractor with my Kubota mowers and JD garden tractor, which have seat switches that kill the engines as soon as you stand up.

Kubota mowers, yes, the seat switch kills the engine without the brake being set.
Kubota tractors, no.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Kubota mowers, yes, the seat switch kills the engine without the brake being set.
Kubota tractors, no.

And having to set the barking brake before getting off the mowers is hardly a major inconvenience.

Now the KRA system on the mowers is an entirely different debate

Dan

 

[chim]

Pretty sure the issue was a combination of two the seat switch and neutral switch. Yes, you can get on and off the seat with the engine running all you want - but only if the computer doesn't sense that the hydro pedal is out of its neutral position. If the switch on the hydro pedal isn't in its neutral position, the tractor will shut off.

Then when it comes time to start the tractor the computer won't allow the tractor to start with the hydro pedal switch not in its neutral position. Your wigging and jiggling everything helped a marginally adjusted switch back into its neutral position.

I had an L3200 that did a no-start shortly after delivery. It was the pedal switch. I adjusted it and never had it happen again.

 

[Timmer92]

I have an update. We are no experiencing the tractor shutting off randomly, both when on or off the tractor. My wife found the solution to getting it going again, as I wouldn't have tried it. To get it to start again one bounces up and down on the seat a few times and then it will start up. If it doesn't start, you bounce a little more until it will start. We have probably done it over a dozen times now just so we can finish working on the present task. I will be ordering a new seat switch or just bypassing it.

 

[ayak]

I have an update. We are no experiencing the tractor shutting off randomly, both when on or off the tractor. The present solution is to bounce up and down on the seat a few times and then it will start up. If it doesn't start, you bounce a little more until it will start. I will be ordering a new seat switch or just bypassing it.

See if this thread is of any help :

L3901HST Won't move

Mine just started doing this exact same thing. Was intermittent then became solid. Could start fine. And engine cuts out when you hit the pedal. No errors or codes. Run Lugbolt’s test, but also shake the wires and connector at the seat switch while it’s in test mode. I did that and beeping...

www.orangetractortalks.com