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Hi,

I just bought a used Kubota ZG23... it runs great, but the hour meter and the fuel guage don't work. I confirmed with the previous owner's Kubota dealer that the hour meter just went out recently. The tech said it's likely a 15 amp fuse "under the seat towards the right side." I can't find it any where. It seems strange that the hour meter would run on a fuse? Does this fuse exist? Where can I find it?

Submitted: 100 days and 3 hours ago.
Category: Small Engine
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Posted by The Home Smithy 99 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Hi XXXXXXXXXX;

Hour meters are not fused themselfs. Most are fused via the ignition system. This way they are guarenteed to run anytime the tractor is operating. If the fuse goes out then the tractor will not run.

The only way that there is a fuse for the hour meter itself is if someone installed one.

From what you describe you probably have some bad wireing under the dash. The fuel guage and the hour meter are on completly separate circuits.

Please post any other concerns here.

Best, THS

99 days and 17 hours ago.

Reply

Hi. Thanks for your insight. Hmmm... The Kubota service department told me the hour meter is on a fuse (15 amp auto-style). They said both devices are on the same fuse. The hour meter is not very secure, as it can simply be disconnected (male/female connection) under the dashboard (very accessible). The mower runs fine, just the hour meter and gas guage don't work... The stater plate was just replaced... can this be a factor? All wiring under the dask (right arm fender area) seems to be completely fine... No lose connections...

Posted by The Home Smithy 99 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

"as it can simply be disconnected" Kinda defeates the whole purpouse now doesnt it?!!

Well I suppose that they have a reason for it. What that would be is beyond me.

The hour meter is nothing more than an electric clock. Add power to it and it runs just like putting a battery in a digital wall clock.

The wireing is simple. One wire goes to a voltage source, and the other to chassis ground. There may only be one wire and the meters housing is used as the chassis ground. Trace the voltage wire useing a 12 volt test light untill you locate the break in the circuit.

The fuel guage works by useing a potentiometer in the tank. As the float attached to the potentiometer goes up and down the resistance of the circuit is changed. The flow of electricity is measured by the guage and is shown as the level of fuel in the tank.

One wire of the guage will go to the tank and the other to a power source. The tank side will be the circuit loop via the sending unit (potentiometer) to ground. To test the sending unit connect a ohm meter to the sending unit wires. Have someone add fuel to the tank and as it fills the ohms reading should change. If it remains the same the sending unit is bad. To test betwween the sending unit and the guage do a continuity test. If you have continuity it is good. Test the power side of the guage for 12 voilts with the key in the run position. If you have 12 volts replace the guage. If not then trace the wire back to the break or short.

As for the stator plate I am unsure what you are refering to exactly. As far as I am familliar with the term a stator is the part of an alternators system that has the electrical charge induced in its coils, thus creating power. As such it would have nothing to do with the guages except in its role as a part of the power system.

Please let me know if you need any more information.

Best, THS



Edited by The Home Smithy on 8/15/2009 at 6:35 PM

96 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

Hi... I appreciate your thoughts... However, your information is not consistent with the information I've received from a Kubota dealer. They say both the fuel guage and the hour meter all connected to the same 15 amp fuse. The problem is that I cannot find the fuse and am seeking the location...

Given that both the hour meter and fuel guage worked before the strater plate was replaced, this certainly leads me to believe a fuse could have easily been blown... The idea that the potentiometer in the tank has gone bad seems unlikey, or this is a remarkable coincidence.

 

My original post sought a confirmation that the fuse existed and the location of the fuse. While you suggest that the fuse doesn't exist, this seems less credible by the suggestion that the problems are not related... I'd like to reopen this question to the all the experts. If, in fact, I later find that there is no fuse and the potentiometer has gone bad, I'm happy to pay at that time. However, your information didn't really answer my question and I'm back to the original starting point...

 

Fair?

 

Thanks,


Tom

Answer

Tom;

I will be the first to admit that I could be wrong. I dont have the refrence material that the dealerships do. I base my answers on the experience I have actually working on the units.

If the dealer says there is a fuse then you can bet I wont argue the point. My concern is that they should be able to tell you where this fuse is located. If they can't then there is a good possibility that the person you spoke with may not know what he is talking about. Please consider that even counterpersons have to learn the job too. That usually entails a fair amount of errors when answering customer questions.

In the end if they cant provide you with the location of the fuse then tracing the wires will be your last option.

Best, THS

 

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Expert: The Home Smithy
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 8/19/2009

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Fixed my first lawn mower at 7 yrs old. Still fixin them, and more today

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