Need Codes but Digital display inoperable, 2017- L3301

[lupuseven]

2017 L3301 434hrs on aftermarket hour meter
I have the engine warning light on (red circle with ! inside)
will not operate under load. in low gear it stalls out as if I'm in high gear trying to go up hill.
hydraulics are weak too, wont even lift itself up.I have already replaced fuel filter and water separator

is there anyway to pull (and eventually erase) codes without spending the $2k for a semi proprietary scan tool?
nearest service center is 2.5hours away. if they were closer I would just run down there and get a diag.

Today I plan on:
New battery (unrelated but was needed)
Take off and clean DPF
test hydro pressure
also being past the 400hr mark and going to drain hydraulic fluid and replace filters. ( I know should have done sooner)
retest hydro pressure
look for obvious issues.

 

[MOOTS]

2017 L3301 434hrs on aftermarket hour meter
I have the engine warning light on (red circle with ! inside)
will not operate under load. in low gear it stalls out as if I'm in high gear trying to go up hill.
hydraulics are weak too, wont even lift itself up.I have already replaced fuel filter and water separator

is there anyway to pull (and eventually erase) codes without spending the $2k for a semi proprietary scan tool?
nearest service center is 2.5hours away. if they were closer I would just run down there and get a diag.

Today I plan on:
New battery (unrelated but was needed)
Take off and clean DPF
test hydro pressure
also being past the 400hr mark and going to drain hydraulic fluid and replace filters. ( I know should have done sooner)
retest hydro pressure
look for obvious issues.

Is any of this related to your avatar picture?

 

[lupuseven]

Is any of this related to your avatar picture?

LOL sorta, Its the same tractor about 3.5 years ago

 

[mdhughes]

2017 L3301 434hrs on aftermarket hour meter
I have the engine warning light on (red circle with ! inside)
will not operate under load. in low gear it stalls out as if I'm in high gear trying to go up hill.
hydraulics are weak too, wont even lift itself up.I have already replaced fuel filter and water separator

is there anyway to pull (and eventually erase) codes without spending the $2k for a semi proprietary scan tool?
nearest service center is 2.5hours away. if they were closer I would just run down there and get a diag.

Since you have an aftermarket hour meter, I take it that the hour meter on the dash doesn't work? It would show any codes on the hour meter.

 

[lupuseven]

Since you have an aftermarket hour meter, I take it that the hour meter on the dash doesn't work? It would show any codes on the hour meter.

Correct the LCD display is no longer working, not in the slightest. I've been okay with it up until now when I need the codes, lol

 

[rudder35]

Instead of buying a $2K scan tool that may or may not work you could buy a new panel for $800. You can also send the panel off to be fixed or if ambitious do it yourself. Most of the time these panels just need a bunch of resistors replaced and that is easy.

 

[RCW]

Correct the LCD display is no longer working, not in the slightest. I've been okay with it up until now when I need the codes, lol

Not being a smart-alec - - -If the LCD isn't working, how does the "engine warning" come on?

Different feeds or panels/lights?

Some folks have had some issues with fouled connections under the dash. They can get corroded, and connections are pretty light gauge.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

looks like 10(?) 'idiot' lights, direct drive from 'sensors' and an LCD for the 'hour' meter.
I assume they use the hour meter display to show the error codes...???

 

[RCW]

looks like 10(?) 'idiot' lights, direct drive from 'sensors' and an LCD for the 'hour' meter.
I assume they use the hour meter display to show the error codes...???

Jay - -- can you figure out how the functions are fed data? Must be a couple feeds?

 

[lupuseven]

looks like 10(?) 'idiot' lights, direct drive from 'sensors' and an LCD for the 'hour' meter.
I assume they use the hour meter display to show the error codes...???

Not being a smart-alec - - -If the LCD isn't working, how does the "engine warning" come on?

Different feeds or panels/lights?

Some folks have had some issues with fouled connections under the dash. They can get corroded, and connections are pretty light gauge.

From the Work Shop Manual (WSM)
"Instrument panel uses CAN (Controller Area
Network) communication with main ECU (Electronic
Control Unit) and engine ECU to share information from
various sensors and switches. Mainly Instrument panel
acts as an indicator to inform various information such as
engine speed, warning lamp and so on. If tractor gets in
a certain trouble, a sign is displayed on Instrument panel.
This function helps servicing.

The Instrument panel displays following items.
 Hourmeter
 Error Display
• Displays the occurrence of DTC (Diagnosis Trouble
Code) on the display with the sign.
 Model Setting, Clear error message,
Acceleration Setting, Test Function
• The function such as input of some data,
fine-adjustment for acceleration sensor and testing
of each sensor can be done by using display and
switch operation."

Ive also Checked connections and all the other goodies the WSM says in the past, I will recheck with a little more detail this weekend. and look to see if theres a busted solder point somewhere.

 

[lupuseven]

Instead of buying a $2K scan tool that may or may not work you could buy a new panel for $800. You can also send the panel off to be fixed or if ambitious do it yourself. Most of the time these panels just need a bunch of resistors replaced and that is easy.

I looked long ago and apparently forgot how "Cheap" they are and was confusing them with my Excavators control panel where they are $1300 used and must be installed by dealer.

If I cant get the LCD working again I will be going this route

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds like the tractor has went into limp mode.
It's at level 5 regen and there is nothing you can do to fix it.
A simple code reader scanner will not reset the computer.
Load it up and haul it to a dealer.
Be prepared for a $$$$ fix!

 

[old and tired]

I may have a 20 year old tractor, but I would not trade it for this new crap for nothin'. Sensors, electronics, modules - have a hard time surviving rough harsh conditions (granted a rollover is more than what a normal tractor does).

I feel sorry for the owner.... doesn't look like there's a cheap way out...

I would seriously be looking into what it would cost to delete all this BS vs. the dealer trying to bring it back to life the old way it was...

 

[ruger1980]

Even if the display was working, and giving you the codes. What are you going to do to fix the problem that is causing the code? How will you research the cause without having all of the data available? You wouldnt be able to see all of the live data, clear error codes,and perform special tests and procedures that a diagnostic scan tool can do for you. Without having something like this Diesel Diagnostic Tool from TEXA you would just have a code. This tool has powerful Kubota engine coverage with wiring diagrams, and technical repair information for virtually all makes and models from all manufacturers. This is truly a dealer Level diagnostic tool for Off-Highway Equipment.
We have the larger version of this tool that we bought from Axiom Tool Company, and it has been a life saver on all of our equipment. They have multiple options for equipment diagnostics from multiple brands at varying prices.

Two posts so far and both to advertise a vendors product that costs about $5k to get a package that is useful. I think that if a vendor wants to advertise here they should be doing so in the vendor section.

 

[rudder35]

I looked long ago and apparently forgot how "Cheap" they are and was confusing them with my Excavators control panel where they are $1300 used and must be installed by dealer.

If I cant get the LCD working again I will be going this route

A first step would be to pull the panel and clean the pins and socket with some electric cleaner spray. A pencil erasure works great for cleaning pins. Carb cleaner tools might work on the sockets. Disconnect battery first.

I don't remember if you have checked fuses or power to panel.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Even if the display was working, and giving you the codes. What are you going to do to fix the problem that is causing the code? How will you research the cause without having all of the data available? You wouldnt be able to see all of the live data, clear error codes,and perform special tests and procedures that a diagnostic scan tool can do for you. Without having something like this Diesel Diagnostic Tool from TEXA you would just have a code. This tool has powerful Kubota engine coverage with wiring diagrams, and technical repair information for virtually all makes and models from all manufacturers. This is truly a dealer Level diagnostic tool for Off-Highway Equipment. https://www.axiomtoolco.com/products/texa-axone-nemo-light-ohw-with-multihub-2-ltohw
We have the larger version of this tool that we bought from Axiom Tool Company, and it has been a life saver on all of our equipment. They have multiple options for equipment diagnostics from multiple brands at varying prices.

IF the LCD was working and displaying codes, at least it'd give the owner a 'hint' as to what might be wrong. From what's been posted on this forum, Kubota scanners are the ONLY ones that properly interface to Kubota ECUs, so paying 1-2-5K for an 'aftermarket' unit isn't a good idea.
As NIW pointed out, probably major DPF,so $$$. best to spend coins at Kubota.

As for the LCD 'doesn't work'. if NONE of the dots or bars are lit, it may be a power problem or Zebra strip. Without seeing the wiring diagram I don't know if the 'idiot' lights are separate from the CPU driving the LCD. Saw CAN mentioned so it is critical that the CANbus wiring be perfect, including the terminators.Sometimes unplugging and reinserting the connectors several times 'magically' gets things 'up and running......

 

[BBFarmer]

Oh CAN bus huh, that's exciting. Y'all are goin DEEP now!

In the automotive world, we check these "communication" lines with oscilloscopes & break out boxes. CAN commmunication consists of 2 signals, a high and a low, and generally range from 0-2.5 volts. The termination resistor Jay is refering to (in my world) is a 120ohm resistor x 2.

Often an affected module will pull the CAN network down, in turn disabling communication throughout the whole system. At that point, all modules involved must be removed (unplugged) then plugged in one by one until system communication is restored.

And because there is a high and low, these signals will mirror each other like this:

Just a random statement to add chaos and confusion LOL

 

[lupuseven]

A first step would be to pull the panel and clean the pins and socket with some electric cleaner spray. A pencil erasure works great for cleaning pins. Carb cleaner tools might work on the sockets. Disconnect battery first.

I don't remember if you have checked fuses or power to panel.

I have checked fuses but not recently. Had to jump to other projects and such Ill be back on the tractor no later then Sunday, I'll double check then. Ive had the tractor since Late 2021 and LCD never worked but all other gauges and lights work as they should.

 

[rudder35]

I have checked fuses but not recently. Had to jump to other projects and such Ill be back on the tractor no later then Sunday, I'll double check then. Ive had the tractor since Late 2021 and LCD never worked but all other gauges and lights work as they should.

https://erepair-info.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1/Kubota_L3301_L3901_L4701_Workshop_Manual_2022-07-10_10-16-16.jpg

 

[GreensvilleJay]

yuck...typical CAN of worms...
according to the diagram the warning lights are controlled by a 'computer' that gets it's information from the dash panel computer that talks/listens to TWO other computers, the main and the engine. With CANbus there is no 'master' and 'slaves'. Any device can be the master and 'software' decides whose in charge. Now assuming the gauges work(tach, fuel, etc.) then the dash 'computer' is working as well as the other 2 computers narrowing down the fault to the 'LCD' hours module itself.
There's two ways it can be 'wired'. one, it's directly fed from the computer,typically with 20+- connections or two, a 'module' that has 2-5 connections to the computer.
Since it doesn't even 'light up', I suspect a power problem,typically a bad solder joint on the PCB or it could be a dirty 'zebra' strip. Either way there's no way a dealer tech will be fixing it, it'll be a $$$$$ panel replacement.
Sad thing is I doubt there's any 'repair shops' to call as they'd need access via the CANbus to test the board and unlikely Kubota would give them that information.