Here is a little chistmas diagnostic mistery for you, it takes some time to explain so bear with me.
I have an 2010 MF 5455 Tier 3, about 5000hrs, with some issues i cant figure out.
It all started a couple of weeks ago, when winter temperatures really had set in, with about -12 degrees C. When i was trying to start, there was no sign of lighting the engine, even if the engine heater had been plugged in for several hours. Tried until the battery was flat, and figured it had to do with the temperature on the fuel, waxing the filters, and it could be that i had «summer-fuel» in the tank, so i replaced both of the round fuel filters, and started to drain the fuel tank. Because of poor design i could not get the drain plug for the fuel tank completly out so i only had patience to drain until it was down at about 1/8 of fuel left. Filled up about 40 liters of fresh diesel. Tried again an still the same, no sign of lighting.
Then i checked what i should have done in the first place, the fuse box. I then found fuse F24 - 30A was blown. This is for electronic injection. I replaced it and then it startet on the first try.
Used the tractor for a little while, shut it off and when i was trying to start again the same thing happened, the fuse was blown. Took the old one out, and when i put a new one in it blew with a spark the second i put it in. I then then turned off the main battery switch, under the left cabin door. (I dont know if that is originally or somehing that the previous owner installed?). Then installed a new fuse, turned on the battery switch and the fuse blew again. I also had noticed that there was some flickering when turning the ignition key, so i replaced the battery switch, installed fuse nr 4 and then started up. Everthing seemed normal!
I then drove around the farm for avout 10-15 minutes, when suddeny i felt that it lost power. I could drive, but it was slow throttle response and very litte power avaliable. Felt like some kind of «limp mode». No warnig lights in the dash. Could only make about 20km/h on flat ground. Felt like i had lost the turbo or one of the cylinders. Stopped the engine, checked the fuse, it was not blown. Started up again, then it was normal again. But it only lasted for a couple of minutes and then it went «lazy» again. Figured out that turning it off and on again always took out the fault, but when the engine was cold it lasted longer than when it was warm.
Searched the web and on this forum i learned that it is a third filter, which is acually the first in line and the most probable when having trouble with cold fuel. This is the square water separator filter. Replaced it, and also cleaned out the blank drain bowl below it, which containd a big lump of ice/slush.
Confident this had to be the problem i started up again, but the problems where still the same. I now have a tractor that is useful for about 10-15 min, then it turns into and old lazy mf35.
Talked to the dealer, he said they would probably not find any fault codes, because i do not get any warning lights when it happens. In some way the problem seems mechanical, but it dont match with the fact that i can «reset» the issue by turning off and back on. He suggested pouring some diesel additive in the fuel tank, in case there was some waxed fuel in the pipelines. Filled up the tank with diesel and added the additive, left the engine running for a couble of hours, but that has not helped so far. Also figured that if i turn off and on and start driving, the «limp mode» will not appear until i release the throttle. If i keep the throttle in and gear up i can drive as far as i like, but the second i release it, «limp mode» activates.
Another observation is that now when i take out the electronic injection fuse and put it back in, i can see a small spark when it makes contact, even if the ignition is off. But the fuse does not blow.
Any ideas?
I have an 2010 MF 5455 Tier 3, about 5000hrs, with some issues i cant figure out.
It all started a couple of weeks ago, when winter temperatures really had set in, with about -12 degrees C. When i was trying to start, there was no sign of lighting the engine, even if the engine heater had been plugged in for several hours. Tried until the battery was flat, and figured it had to do with the temperature on the fuel, waxing the filters, and it could be that i had «summer-fuel» in the tank, so i replaced both of the round fuel filters, and started to drain the fuel tank. Because of poor design i could not get the drain plug for the fuel tank completly out so i only had patience to drain until it was down at about 1/8 of fuel left. Filled up about 40 liters of fresh diesel. Tried again an still the same, no sign of lighting.
Then i checked what i should have done in the first place, the fuse box. I then found fuse F24 - 30A was blown. This is for electronic injection. I replaced it and then it startet on the first try.
Used the tractor for a little while, shut it off and when i was trying to start again the same thing happened, the fuse was blown. Took the old one out, and when i put a new one in it blew with a spark the second i put it in. I then then turned off the main battery switch, under the left cabin door. (I dont know if that is originally or somehing that the previous owner installed?). Then installed a new fuse, turned on the battery switch and the fuse blew again. I also had noticed that there was some flickering when turning the ignition key, so i replaced the battery switch, installed fuse nr 4 and then started up. Everthing seemed normal!
I then drove around the farm for avout 10-15 minutes, when suddeny i felt that it lost power. I could drive, but it was slow throttle response and very litte power avaliable. Felt like some kind of «limp mode». No warnig lights in the dash. Could only make about 20km/h on flat ground. Felt like i had lost the turbo or one of the cylinders. Stopped the engine, checked the fuse, it was not blown. Started up again, then it was normal again. But it only lasted for a couple of minutes and then it went «lazy» again. Figured out that turning it off and on again always took out the fault, but when the engine was cold it lasted longer than when it was warm.
Searched the web and on this forum i learned that it is a third filter, which is acually the first in line and the most probable when having trouble with cold fuel. This is the square water separator filter. Replaced it, and also cleaned out the blank drain bowl below it, which containd a big lump of ice/slush.
Confident this had to be the problem i started up again, but the problems where still the same. I now have a tractor that is useful for about 10-15 min, then it turns into and old lazy mf35.
Talked to the dealer, he said they would probably not find any fault codes, because i do not get any warning lights when it happens. In some way the problem seems mechanical, but it dont match with the fact that i can «reset» the issue by turning off and back on. He suggested pouring some diesel additive in the fuel tank, in case there was some waxed fuel in the pipelines. Filled up the tank with diesel and added the additive, left the engine running for a couble of hours, but that has not helped so far. Also figured that if i turn off and on and start driving, the «limp mode» will not appear until i release the throttle. If i keep the throttle in and gear up i can drive as far as i like, but the second i release it, «limp mode» activates.
Another observation is that now when i take out the electronic injection fuse and put it back in, i can see a small spark when it makes contact, even if the ignition is off. But the fuse does not blow.
Any ideas?