jd 350 quit

After working most the day today, it coughed and sputtered, so I reached down and turned it off real fast because it did not want it to run out of fuel. I went to the truck to get the can and added 5 gallons of fuel. And was surprised because that almost filled it up. Then when I tried to start it, NOTHING. The button did nothing. I put a battery booster on it thinking the battery may be low and still nothing. I ran out of day light and did not have too many tools with me.
Any suggestions on where I might start???? It sputtered and quit. Why would it do that after running fine all day?

MrBill

Mine does have the electrical shutoff. Turn the key and push the button and it starts, turn the key and it quits.

Deere has the Circuit breaker for $12 bucks and is holding one for me. What would an automotive one cost? or should I just stick with this one? It is 2 and 1/2 hrs round trip so I cannot be running back and forth looking for parts. I can only work on it on weekends. Hopefully, I will be able to break away this weekend to get it running again.

I'll check the harness plug first thing when I get out there. Sounds like a problem looking for a time to happen.

On the batteries, I will keep that in mind when it comes time for them to be replaced again. Trying to keep it from costing too much, I just swapped out the one battery that was bad. How many cramping amps should I try and have?

Thanks and I appreciate all your input,
Bill

MrBill

You may have 2 different problems. I have shut off mine before to find out that it would not start due to battery problems. The terminals were dirty or was not charging. I put a new voltage regulator on and had to make change on some wires on the alternator, but don't remember what. (perhaps Jdemaris could shed some light here) It sounds like you have a fuel problem of some sort. I think I may have told you this before, but there should be a petcock (fuel shutoff) under the seat, just off the fuel tank. Make sure that is open. Be careful, there should be 2 petcocks, 1 for the fuel line that heads toward the front of the tractor and the other is for the setiment drain. Follow the fuel line up under the floor boards to the right side of the engine. I would change the fuel filter if you have not done it since you got the 350 anyway. Check to see if you have fuel to the filter. But, you need to have juice to get the thing to turn over. So, I would deal with that first. Check with a good or a different battery that you know is good, clean terminals, check that battery switch is on. Do you have any power right now? Lights or horn work? (not sure if the B's had a horn or not) Don't let that fool you though, even though your lights work does not mean it will turn over. -Mark

The petcock under the seat cannot close on its own, why would running it all day, or even the last couple months, suddenly be a problem? Why would a fuel problem prevent the machine from turning over?

I ruled out fuel because the way it sputtered once and then everything is now dead. The fuel tank was over half full. Unless there is some sensor that says if there is no fuel at the fuel pump that it will not turn over, but I don't think the 350b from '73 is that intellegent.

I am suspecting something in the electrical system failed and as a result shut it off. But not sure which or where to check first and a common component that is likely to fail.
I read a while back from Jdemaris about a problem someone was having and it was either a relay of module, not sure exactly.

I mentioned the petcock to make sure that it was open all the way. Although it has never happen to me but perhaps it vibrate closed enough to make it sputter or starve for fuel.

I gave a sugestion a while back to a guy on here that there is a wire that goes to the injector system, ground I think, left side of tractor, connects near the throutle cable at the fuel pump. I was on my 350C in light brush and grass and suspect a stick pulled the wire apart. It quit pretty quick and did not turn over either. It took me many hours to figure that out. There was a guy a while back was having problem too, I think it ended up being a bad ignition. If ya got a volt meter, check your batteries, then before and after the battery switch, follow the cable, also check your ground, take the bolt off and sand it clean, back to the possitive side, check to see if you have power at the starter. I have not had any other problems so the only advice I can give is to trace all the electrical and try to narrow it down. I hope I was of at least a little help. -Mark

The wire connects to the pump and goes to the dash, I think, but can't remember for sure. I'll be sevicing mine tomorrow so I will look if you have not figured it out. Like Steve said, try a jumper wire to the pump to ground post, seemed to work for him. -Mark