7210 power problem

[cih88]

I have a CIH 7210 with power issues. Some times we have to tie back the fuel shut off solenoid to make it run. Some times it shuts off for now reason. When u first start it the wipers and heater blower won't work for a half hour or so. Some times when start it the ALT light on the dash comes on and it says you have now power for a few minutes. Replaced the batteries,alternator,cab solenoid,cab power post in the corner of the cab and the starting solenoid on the firewall. Dealers latest thought is the alternator isn't being "excited". Some problems have gotten better as parts are changed.

[ECIN]

I just hate these kind of problems , lol  My best guess is that you have a bad ground wire some where . When you turn the key on it will or is suppose to open the fuel shut off , that makes me think there is a bad wire or ground , I have seen the key switch even go bad , Had the same deal on a 5288 and the heater or blower comeing on , pulled the top of the cab off and had a lose ground wire .

Good luck .

[buckfarmer]

Yea a bad ground is like a bad "o" ring when you have a hydraulic problem. Chased my tail, and spent more than what a Deere 2840 was worth, looking for a internal hydraulic leek years ago.

[bobflash77]

I agree it sounds like a loose ground or bad ignition switch.  Possibly a loose connector or corrosion in a kinked wire or corrosion in a connector.   Intermittent problems are the worst.  Start at the battery and work forward along the path of power.  Inspect all connections and possible pinch points.  If these checks fail, I would add an idiot light to the switched hot of the ignition switch to see what happens as you run.  You could add a second battery in various sections to rule out areas of the Tractor that might be a problem.  Do away with the ignition control of the on/off solenoid and add a toggle switch straight from the battery to isolate that.  If that problem persists, then it has to be a ground problem.

If it is a cummins engine, it has 3 wires on the pull back solenoid.  Ground, switched hot and hot while in start position.  The first hot holds the solenoid open and the second actuates it upon starting. 

You can check the alternator easily.  Just put a voltmeter on the + and watch it.  If it goes up and stays up while running then it is being excited.  If the voltage fluctuates wildly, then it is probably losing the + exciter feed from the ignition switch.  Check all fuses for corrosion.

Good luck

[Nebrfarmr]

I have solved more electrical problems on our 88 series tractors, by just running a couple extra ground wires, from the ground wire in the cab harness, to the frame.   Just add a wire under the ground bolt/nut, and run a wire along the existing harness, to a bolt on the frame.

The 'redneck' way to check if the alternator is working, is to take anything steel (screwdriver blade, pliers handle, etc) and touch it to the rear center bearing cover of the alternator.   If the alternator is working, there will be a magnetic field pulling the steel towards the alternator body.   The stronger the magnetic field, the more it is charging   If the 'pull' is not steady, you have an erratic charging scenario for one reason or another.

[cih88]

thanks, i'll keep looking. hope to have it fixed by spring