520H Won't turn over. Melted Fuse Block!

[Jrblanke 857]

Oh boy. Nobody’s fault but my own on this one. I bought this tractor about 5 years ago and parked it for the next 4 years. I swapped my loader over to it last year and just started using it. Of course I changed the fluids, and I blew the grass out of the engine and fins on the hydro, but I didn’t think about blowing the fuse block out.  It ran fine for about 20 hours (over the past year), and then over the weekend, I was using it and when I tried to cut it back on, it wouldn’t turn over. The lights just flashed on the dash. I started checking fuses and found the problem pictured below. Ignorance is bliss until its not! Hahaha.

 

Anyways, what is the most common fix for this? I poked around a bit, and It seems like I can get a factory style fuse block and connectors off amazon. Is this how most folks are fixing this? I've never wired a fuse block.

 

 

 

[peter lena 8,619]

@Jrblanke  https://www.google.com/search?q=wheel+horse+520+h+fuse+block+%2F+wiring%2C+amazon&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS866US866&ei=ySDRZPWQIcCv5NoPm-   on your way , improve over original , pete

[Jrblanke 857]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

@Jrblanke  https://www.google.com/search?q=wheel+horse+520+h+fuse+block+%2F+wiring%2C+amazon&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS866US866&ei=ySDRZPWQIcCv5NoPm-   on your way , improve over original , pete

 

 

Hey Peter, Looks like this link goes to a generic google search. Not sure if that is what you meant to show me or if there was something specificl. I see where some folks will put individual fuse holders on instead of the factory style fuse block. I was looking to see if anyone had advice before I just replace the parts with other factory style parts. I see where @cleat mentioned wiring the 30 amp fuse a little differently. Ill need to study the wire diagram to see what he is talking about. He said, "take the load off the 9 pin connector" which I like the sound of that! Might require more brain activity on my part. 

 

James

 

 

[ri702bill 8,316]

Unplated steel terminals that rust over time. The current passing thru, teamed up with the added resistance melts the block. Very similar to the Ford Ranger 3 speed blower motor resistor and plug problem - both unfortunately are common........

[lynnmor 7,305]

Search for Dorman 85668, you will find prices from $3.43 and up.  The contacts are plain brass, so use an anti-oxidant like NO-OX ID.  Be sure to cut the connector strip on the bottom side just like the original.  There is a cover for the fuse block here.

[peter lena 8,619]

@Jrblanke  you have multiple choices and  advise , another thing is the corrosion resistant  set ups , have to have that , have anyone that you know , that is good on electrical issues ?  never done a 520 , but if I had would favor a marine / boat  related  set up , to eliminate corrosion , and also get those wires away from heat .  look around / ask around , pete

[Jrblanke 857]

5 hours ago, peter lena said:

@Jrblanke  you have multiple choices and  advise , another thing is the corrosion resistant  set ups , have to have that , have anyone that you know , that is good on electrical issues ?  never done a 520 , but if I had would favor a marine / boat  related  set up , to eliminate corrosion , and also get those wires away from heat .  look around / ask around , pete

Good advice, thanks Peter!

 

[squonk 41,079]

I would cut that block and 9 pin connector right out and get 3 waterproof fuse holders and 2 4 pin trailer connectors. Extend the wires and move everything over to the other side of the tractor to get them away from the muffler heat and for easier access. That's what I did on the 520 that I had. 

[peter lena 8,619]

@Jrblanke   the repitition of a problem , is the best opportunity , to make that problem go away . change the layout , change the electrical connections etc. get help , pete

[RJC1965 160]

Just went through this on my1996 520H. Melted the 30 amp fuse. I replaced the nine pin connector and the pins I would suggest as others to ditch the nine pin and go with some weatherproof connectors. I also ran the starter wire separately so it was not in the nine pin If you choose to keep it. And definitely cut new fuse bar to separate out the pink / lights for the dash or they will stay on when you hook up the battery and not turn off. I would also pull your ignition key switch mine was very corroded and clean it up. I have not fired mine up but I feel the wiring is sorted out. 

[Jrblanke 857]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:32 PM, RJC1965 said:

Just went through this on my1996 520H. Melted the 30 amp fuse. I replaced the nine pin connector and the pins I would suggest as others to ditch the nine pin and go with some weatherproof connectors. I also ran the starter wire separately so it was not in the nine pin If you choose to keep it. And definitely cut new fuse bar to separate out the pink / lights for the dash or they will stay on when you hook up the battery and not turn off. I would also pull your ignition key switch mine was very corroded and clean it up. I have not fired mine up but I feel the wiring is sorted out. 

 

When you run the wire from the regulator to the starter, do you cut out the wire that went through the 9 pin connector, or just leave it? Im going to try to study the wire diagram during my lunch break today. Im planning to fix the loader tomorrow. 

[kpinnc 12,013]

5 hours ago, Jrblanke said:

Im planning to fix the loader tomorrow. 

 

I know what's wrong with it. Your loader wishes to live about 100 miles west of it's current residence. It can't be happy in all the noise around Raleigh, and needs the quiet life that exists in Richfield! 

 

In all seriousness- Very nice rig you got there. I hope you get the electrical sorted out. On a 520-H, it can be a pain sometimes. 

[Jrblanke 857]

12 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

I know what's wrong with it. Your loader wishes to live about 100 miles west of it's current residence. It can't be happy in all the noise around Raleigh, and needs the quiet life that exists in Richfield! 

 

In all seriousness- Very nice rig you got there. I hope you get the electrical sorted out. On a 520-H, it can be a pain sometimes. 

 

Thanks Kevin! I'm pretty confident Ill fix it tomorrow. I told the wife I was going to work on the deck and she was like, how about you get that lawn mower working that is in the drive way? Its a lawn TRACTOR honey...TRACTOR. 

 

One of these days maybe I'll make it down there. I'll be in Denton at the end of October for the C10 chevy pickup show. 

[kpinnc 12,013]

7 minutes ago, Jrblanke said:

Denton at the end of October for the C10 chevy pickup show. 

 

Now that might be worth going to. The July Thresher Reunion is absolutely the hottest place on earth, and quite miserable given you can't ride tractors around. 

 

No, I'd better not. I love C10s, and don't need any more projects... 

 

But it's only about 20 minutes down the road. Definitely let me know when you're passing by! We'll grab a milkshake and a cheeseburger! 

[lynnmor 7,305]

7 hours ago, Jrblanke said:

 

When you run the wire from the regulator to the starter, do you cut out the wire that went through the 9 pin connector, or just leave it? Im going to try to study the wire diagram during my lunch break today. Im planning to fix the loader tomorrow. 

You can just leave it.

[peter lena 8,619]

@Jrblanke  YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF CHOICES ON REPATIVE FAILURES ,install the same junk , or  correct the issue , my regular combination is to , REROUTE ORIGINAL WIRING  SET UP , AND GET A BETTER  WIRE CONNECTOR . this is a regular issue . why not eliminate it ?  all the chronic areas on my stuff are gone , been working for years reliably . isn't that your goal?  if you want to be a purest , plan on regular failures , just my own experience . pete 

[Jrblanke 857]

25 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Jrblanke  YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF CHOICES ON REPATIVE FAILURES ,install the same junk , or  correct the issue , my regular combination is to , REROUTE ORIGINAL WIRING  SET UP , AND GET A BETTER  WIRE CONNECTOR . this is a regular issue . why not eliminate it ?  all the chronic areas on my stuff are gone , been working for years reliably . isn't that your goal?  if you want to be a purest , plan on regular failures , just my own experience . pete 

 

Thank you for yelling at me 😄. I understand my choices. I'm not a purist. Wiring is not one of my strengths which is why I asked the question that lynnmore answered. I've been busy the last few weeks which is why I haven't worked on the tractor. 

[peter lena 8,619]

@Jrblanke  not a wiring ace myself , just use jumper / test light  as I  go along , being retired , don't know what you are talking about , " being busy " ?  pete

[Jrblanke 857]

Thanks for all the help guys! I got it running in about an hour. I think I let the wiring diagram intimidate me. It was pretty simple once I got into it. I replaced the fuse block with a new one and then ran a 12 gage wire from the regulator down to the starter. I tried to ignore all the junk on the top of the motor, but ended up taking the tins off and scraping out a bunch of junk. 

[Lagersolut 659]

When I went over my 416 barn find a few years ago my fuse block didn't look much better - I liked the idea of sealed fuse holders better so installed these .

[Jrblanke 857]

2 hours ago, Lagersolut said:

When I went over my 416 barn find a few years ago my fuse block didn't look much better - I liked the idea of sealed fuse holders better so installed these .

I think I'll do that next time. And if my 9 pin connector goes out I'm going to use 2 four pin trailer connectors (since I've bypassed the 9 pin with the starter wire.

[RJC1965 160]

On 8/31/2023 at 9:42 AM, Jrblanke said:

 

When you run the wire from the regulator to the starter, do you cut out the wire that went through the 9 pin connector, or just leave it? Im going to try to study the wire diagram during my lunch break today. Im planning to fix the loader tomorrow. 

I just pulled it out of the nine pin and used an in line fuse. I did not go all the way back got the starter and run a wire. I used a water proof inline fuse 

[Jrblanke 857]

On 9/1/2023 at 8:45 AM, peter lena said:

@Jrblanke  not a wiring ace myself , just use jumper / test light  as I  go along , being retired , don't know what you are talking about , " being busy " ?  pete

 

Two young kids, wife had pneumonia (better now). I tell you what though. My dad retired 5 years ago and he is busier now than when he was working! He's always into something! Thanks for your help and encouragement. 

[Rob R 966]

On 9/2/2023 at 10:09 AM, Lagersolut said:

When I went over my 416 barn find a few years ago my fuse block didn't look much better - I liked the idea of sealed fuse holders better so installed these .

I used these on mine and they solved all kinds of issue remember you have to jump on lead (positive lead) just as they did on the old fuse box.