Engine dies during use. Will restart after about a minute

[Billtalbert]

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving,
I have a 2013 M9960 I bought new. Has about 13o hours.
Today, while mowing the engine died. After sitting for about a minute, it cranked. Ran about ten minutes, died again. Happened three more times. Not sure what is the problem, never done this before ("...but it is doing it now", yeah I know)
Has:
Oil
Diesel
Water,
Me buffaloed.
Any ideas?
Cheers,
Bill

 

[85Hokie]

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving,
I have a 2013 M9960 I bought new. Has about 13o hours.
Today, while mowing the engine died. After sitting for about a minute, it cranked. Ran about ten minutes, died again. Happened three more times. Not sure what is the problem, never done this before ("...but it is doing it now", yeah I know)
Has:
Oil
Diesel
Water,
Me buffaloed.
Any ideas?
Cheers,
Bill

your check list.....I am gonna vote #2 !!!
It is getting fuel, then not ! You have a restriction in the line, fuel filter clogged bad, OR WORSE - something at the pickup at the tank.

If possible - pull fuel line, should pee pretty good, if it does not, you have found problem - check filters too.

 

[D2Cat]

Maybe #2 has some #3 in it.

 

[Ramos]

Might also be a fuel cap that is not breathing. Runs, creates vacuum, dies. Pressure equalizes while sitting, runs, creates vacuum, dies.

 

[Billtalbert]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't think It is the fuel. Tractor dies like the switch was turned off. No sputtering/ lagging, etc. just dead.
I'm thinking there is a. Safety switch somewhere killing the engine, just not sure where.
But, will look at fuel in the morning, just to eliminate the possibility
Thanks

 

[zload]

Might also be a fuel cap that is not breathing. Runs, creates vacuum, dies. Pressure equalizes while sitting, runs, creates vacuum, dies.

I agree with this one mine would stop on a dime. Loosen cap and see if it shuts down on you.

 

[redfernclan]

Happened to me with my old mower. Tracked it down to a fuel problem. Changed filter, changed fuel pump, still died. Removed the fuel tank cap and blew out the vent hole and have not had a problem since.

 

[85Hokie]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't think It is the fuel. Tractor dies like the switch was turned off. No sputtering/ lagging, etc. just dead.
I'm thinking there is a. Safety switch somewhere killing the engine, just not sure where.
But, will look at fuel in the morning, just to eliminate the possibility
Thanks

That type of cut off does sound like a safety switch, does it cut off when hitting any type of uneven ground? Pop the seat - see if any of those could be the problem.

On the BX series, easing forward on the seat is a sure fire way to make it cough and sputter!

 

[Billtalbert]

No bumps, just mowing along, nice and slow and it died. Mine has a cab, not sure if there is a switch in the seat.
It was definitely binary. On one second, then off. Nothing in between

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Bill,
While there may be a few simple things that could be causing it to act like that, you're dealing with a very complex tractor.
It has a computer that runs everything, and messing around can cause more damage than good.
It sounds to me like you could be having an issue with either the crank sensor or the cam sensor.
There is not a lot of self diagnosing that you will be able to do as it requires being hooked up to a computer to read the system and know what the fault is.
Your best bet would be to bite the bullet and take it to the (and I don't say this very often) dealer!

Please let us know the outcome as there is very little first had knowledge with these bigger and newer tractors.

 

[Billtalbert]

Okay, was in the cab this morning, in gear, moving forward. Was able to stand up and tractor continued to run. Looked at the fuel cap, seems fine.
I agree with wolf, most likely needs to go into the shop. Can't come out for less than a grand. Will let you know what they say...

 

[Thorny]

saftety sensors are connected to the following things (that I know of)

-clutch I can view mine, if you can see yours look for damage
-PTO - try running the tractor without the PTO engaged and see if it still dies
-Seat - mine is visible under the seat, look for damage


Computer forced shutdown could come from a number of things, like crank and cam, but also from low oil or high temps. Is your oil and hydro fluid full? Is your radiator and radiator screen free of debris? radiator full of fluid?

I'd also check your fuel filter housing and make sure it's not full of water. I read in another thread about algae in the diesel, peek into your tank and make sure there isn't a blanket of algae in there clogging the pickup.

 

[Daren Todd]

Have you checked to see if the battery cables are tight, and the power connection at the starter wire. Wouldnt be the first time a tech finger tightened the battery terminals, or starter wires, went to lunch and forgot to hit them with a wrench

Could be shut down circuit, loose fuse powering the ecm, or safety switches as well. My thought would check foolish, simple and easy to get to. After that, have the dealer take a look since it's under warranty.

Seems like if it was a sensor, it would spit out a code.

 

[Technical Ted]

If you take it to your dealer, is it possibly covered under warranty? Looks like it's only 3 years old...

Worth a try???

Good luck,
Ted

 

[sheepfarmer]

Bill, unless you have tinkered with you seat safety switch, you should NOT be able to continue driving forward when you stand up. So if that switch is behaving erratically that might be the problem. Doesn't a message come up on your Intellipanel?

 

[85Hokie]

Okay, was in the cab this morning, in gear, moving forward. Was able to stand up and tractor continued to run. Looked at the fuel cap, seems fine.
I agree with wolf, most likely needs to go into the shop. Can't come out for less than a grand. Will let you know what they say...

I am with Sheepfarmer, you should not be able to "stand" up and drive forward, and if you do, it better be reeeealllll slow! If I raise up a hair - the BX will try to shut down. It might be different on the larger machine. The cap venting usually take a little bit of time to create a vacuum problem. A switch will be a go-no go instantly. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Billtalbert]

Well, I am 6'4". So standing in the cab is not practical. But I was able to get my rear end off the seat. Still ran.
I just walked out there and looked. There is a wire running from the seat, so it appears to have "something" in the seat. Probably a kill switch. I just can't imagine someone exiting the tractor while moving forward (unless it is on fire...) then again I read this morning some drunk ran over himself in a parking lot. Yes, alcohol was involved.
For the record, I checked all the usual suspects before I wrote my original post. I think fuel is off the list. Fuel issues typically choke, sputter, fade and then die. This is instant death. Like a switch. Oil is full and clear. I had this until serviced a few months ago, maybe a year.
Thorny, I did run it today without the PTO engaged. No issues. Will try again tomorrow running the PTO. I don't think it can healed itself...
Cheers,
Bill

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's possible on that model the seat switch only works the PTO safety run circuit,
PTO on, backside must be in the seat.