d17 series IV

[k wolff]

I have a 1964 D17 series IV that is blowing fuses for the lights when it is running. Used a jumper in the fuse holder to run tests and without the engine running, lights work fine and I get a volt reading of 12.5. For a short time after tractor is started lights continue to work, then lights go out and dash light glows dim, still had volt reading of 12.5. After that the wire between fuse holder and key switch started to smoke. Shut tractor off and continued to have same problems. Let tractor sit for 20 minutes or so and rechecked, lights worked fine. Could this be a voltage regulator problem? Thanks for the help.

 

[Texas Denny]

The voltage regulator failures are usually having the voltage too high. The readings you show are low for a good voltage reading and may mean the VR needs replacement. The light problem is unrelated. You have a short to ground somewhere in your wiring for these lights. You'll need to closely examine every inch of the lighting wire until you find bare wire - no insulation.

 

[Kurt in IL]

Thanks Denny. I was stuck with trying to figure out why I could get everything to work without the tractor running and why the fuse would blow when it was running. I ended up changing the primary wire to the lights, but I think the main problem was in the auxillary plug on the back. Also, on the rear light I read that it should work as both a red light and a work light. I pulled it apart and the work light side was the only one wired. Is there a special wire or end needed to wire up the red side as that wire is missing and the one end looks like it needs an end like a spark plug wire.

 

[Texas Denny]

Your rear light may not be the original rear light. Back then, the red light was usually created by rotating a red plastic in front of the bulb. Never have seen an original rear light. My operators manual shows the red lights but no work light.