314-8 1996 Fuse Blowing

[WHwest8597 85]

I'm having problems with fuses blowing on my 1996 314-8. As soon as I turn on the lights the fuse blows.

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

Sounds like a pinched wire from the light switch to either the head or tailights.

Visually check all the wiring leading away from the light switch and check to see if it is pinched somewhere the wire can short to the tractor chassis.

If a visual search doesn't work for you, let us know and I can give you instruction on troubleshooting the wiring with a multimeter.

Hopefully this one will be quick and painless.

:USA:

[WHwest8597 85]

I checked the wiring from the switch to the light and found no cuts, pinches, etc.

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

2 ways we can go - and I'm assuming the 15 amp fuse is the one that's blowing ??

1/ Visual plug and play method with no meter

unplug both the tailights and the headlights from the light green wiring harness.

Pop in a 15 amp fuse in the holder and flip the lights switch and see if the fuse survives.

Reconnect just the headlights - fuse pops ? headlight circuit is bad - if fuse is good then

Reconnect the taillights - if the fuse pops - the taillight circuit is bad.

The wiring from the switch to the lights or something within the light housing itself is shorted to ground. The light switch itself could be shorted to ground internally.

2/ Multimeter method

Disconnect the positive lead of the battery - all ohmmeter measurements should be taken with the power removed from the tractor

Remove all bulbs from tail light housings and disconnect headlights.

Measure on low ohms scale from light switch output (light green wire) to chassis ground. If you get continuity, the light green wire is touching ground somewhere. Again, the light switch could be internally shorted to ground.

If you have an ohmmeter function on a multimeter, the meter method may save a few $$ in additional blown fuses.

Update us on how you would like to proceed.

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

wiring diagram

Attached Image

[WHwest8597 85]

Fuse blew again. Now when I engage the PTO the engine stops.

[Prater 76]

By chance did you add an amp meter? I know of two that started blowing fuses because the meter was not correct.

[psjoe 1]

The pto stopping the engine is something I experienced when my VR went bad. I would check what you are getting out of the charging system (stator) and what you are getting out of the VR (voltage regulator) with a multi-meter.

Good luck.

[oldandred 15]

I had the same problem when engaging the pto and it was a wire coming off the switch not going to ground but when the lever was pushed forward the wire would rise off the connector snip snip and a wire nut fixed that problem

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

I noticed from your past posts, you have had this issue since February this year

"Posted: February 15, 2010 03:37 pm

I'm having trouble with blowing 15amp fuses in my 1996 314-8. This fuse is used for the lights and volt meter. Any suggestions? "

Did you find a problem back in February, correct it and it's back again?

I understand about your engine cutting out but we need to fix one problem at a time and then move on.

Let's get the lights working first, then move on. We can work on the lights without the engine running.

Which fuse is blowing (what amperage and where is it located in the tractor) ??

What are the colors on the back of the light switch terminals (lets see if the demystification guide is going to be of any help to use here) ??