LS180 problem

[r1200r rider]

I have a problem with my LS180 that has gradually gotten worse. It started with the seatbelt light intermittently coming on and progressed to it staying on. I unbuckled my seatbelt then re-buckled it and it would work for a while. Today, after I ran it for about ten minutes, the light came on so I shut it down and tried to re-start but it would not turn over. After fiddling with it for a minute, it started but as soon as I moved the boom, the seatbelt light came on and locked up the boom. This happened a few more times before I gave up. I had a spare hydraulic pressure switch so I replaced the one in the machine. That did not solve the problem. When this problem first started, I checked the seatbelt and seat switches and they were fine. Is there something else that I should check?

 

[mfyock]

I had a similar problem on an older NH skidsteer. The problem was the belt coupler was worn out. This allowed the selt belt tongue to not always activate the switch in the belt coupler. I replaced the coupler and all was well. Check the coupler by disconnecting it. Now sit in the seat as normal. While sitting in the seat stick a jumber wire in the harner to the seat switch. Now fire up the machine and see if the boom works. If it does then you know you need to replace the belt coupler.

 

[Mike10]

If you are sure you seat belt buckle is good ( the most likely cause) check if you have power to the seat belt buckle at the seat belt harness connector. The seat harness may have a broken wire. This is more common on seats that use one seat switch at the front of the seat.

 

[Earthwerks Unlimited]

If you are sure you seat belt buckle is good ( the most likely cause) check if you have power to the seat belt buckle at the seat belt harness connector. The seat harness may have a broken wire. This is more common on seats that use one seat switch at the front of the seat.

I agree about the switch wires; it happened to me. I installed a hidden toggle switch to override the seat switch. If the switch is left on overnite it will drain the battery.

 

[r1200r rider]

I agree about the switch wires; it happened to me. I installed a hidden toggle switch to override the seat switch. If the switch is left on overnite it will drain the battery.

I will test the switches again. Thanks for the input. Why would everything run until I move the boom? If it was the switches, wouldn't the lights come on before I moved the boom?

 

[Earthwerks Unlimited]

I will test the switches again. Thanks for the input. Why would everything run until I move the boom? If it was the switches, wouldn't the lights come on before I moved the boom?

It's the wires at the switch that are breaking inside the insulation and or the connector. I have a suspended seat so the up and down motion of the seat and the wires eventually the wires break.

 

[Mike10]

Even though you do not think you are moving when you use the foot pedals, you are actually shifting your weight somewhat in the seat. If you have a suspended seat flip the seat up and tug on the wires going into the wire connector for the seat switch. If one of them pulls away, which is where they usually fail, then you have found your problem.
There is also a possiblity that the seat switch itself is oversensitive to weight movement. Before doing any of the following have the boom down, and the engine off. Safety First. To check the seat switch disconnect the seat switch connector, make a jumper wire to go between the two termials of the seat switch wire harness connector. When you do this the instrument panel will light up. Lower the seat and sit in it and fasten the seat belt. Now attempt to raise the boom. If it works than the seat switch is the problem. You can also check the seat belt by jumping between the two terminals of the seat belt harness connector. Doing this you should be able to pinpoint your problem. Your are dealing with safety equipment for your protection and all bypassed switches MUST be reconnected.

 

[r1200r rider]

Even though you do not think you are moving when you use the foot pedals, you are actually shifting your weight somewhat in the seat. If you have a suspended seat flip the seat up and tug on the wires going into the wire connector for the seat switch. If one of them pulls away, which is where they usually fail, then you have found your problem.
There is also a possiblity that the seat switch itself is oversensitive to weight movement. Before doing any of the following have the boom down, and the engine off. Safety First. To check the seat switch disconnect the seat switch connector, make a jumper wire to go between the two termials of the seat switch wire harness connector. When you do this the instrument panel will light up. Lower the seat and sit in it and fasten the seat belt. Now attempt to raise the boom. If it works than the seat switch is the problem. You can also check the seat belt by jumping between the two terminals of the seat belt harness connector. Doing this you should be able to pinpoint your problem. Your are dealing with safety equipment for your protection and all bypassed switches MUST be reconnected.

I believe I found the problem. While I was testing the seat switch again, I noticed that it would open when I moved around in the seat. Thinking that the switch was intermittent, I removed it from the seat and tested it through several cycles. The switch never failed to complete the circuit. I re-installed the switch in the seat and it failed to keep the circuit closed when I moved around in the seat slightly. It turns out that even though I had the seat adjusted for my weight, it was not firm enough to keep the switch activated. I cranked the knob up to make it more firm and the switch seems to be working properly now.