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Home / Farm Tractors / John Deere Tractors / JD 1550

John Deere 1550 Troubleshooting

The John Deere 1550 is a 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive utility tractor. This model was manufactured from 1987 to 1994. The JD 1550 tractor is powered by 179.4 cubic inches (2.9 L) John Deere 3179DL 4-cycle three-cylinder liquid cooled diesel engine with a maximum power of 43.4 Hp (32.4 kW) and 152 Nm (112.5 lb-ft) of max torque at 1500 rev/min.

The John Deere 1550 is fitted with 3 transmission options: 8x4 synchromesh transmission, 16x8 partial powershift transmission, or 12x8 creeper transmission. The maximum speed (forward/reverse): 18 mph (29 km/h) and 9.6 mph (15.4 km/h).

The closed center hydraulic system includes a variable displacement pump with a flow of 5.8 gpm (22 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 190 bar (2755 psi). The 2-wheel drive models are equipped with 6.50x16 front tires and 12.4x36 rear tires. The 11.2x24 front tires and 14.9x28 rear tires are used for tractors with 4-wheel drive. The wheelbase is 80.7" (2040 mm) for models with 2WD (4x2) and 81" (2050 mm) for models with 4WD (4x4).

Engine Troubleshooting
Diesel won't start or hard to start
Plugged fuel filter - Change the filter element
The fuel shut-off valve is closed - Open fuel shut-off valve
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air
Clogged or damaged injectors - Test fuel injectors and change if necessary
Fuel injection pump is broken - Repair or replace injection pump
Bad compression - Check cylinder block and replace damaged components
Diesel shuts off during operation
Engine not warmed up - Warm up engine as required
Fuel lines leaking air - Tighten clamps, change faulty pipes
Bad fuel injection - Check and adjust
Fuel filter is dirty - Clean the filter element
Fuel injectors are clogged or faulty - Check fuel injectors and replace if required
Diesel starts and then stalls
Timing of fuel injection pump is wrong - Repair or replace fuel injection pump
Fuel filter clogging - Clean the filter or install new filter element
Fuel injector nozzles are dirty or defective - Service or replace nozzles if required
Faulty fuel injection pump - Change pump or rebuild it
Air cleaner is clogged - Change or service air cleaner element
Engine stops at low idle speed
Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Need to adjust idle speed
Fuel injection pump damage - Install a new fuel pump or repair
Fuel injector nozzles are clogged or faulty - Install new set of properly balanced nozzles
Improper valve clearance - Adjust to proper valve clearance
Engine overheated
Not enough coolant - Refill to the correct level. Check and repair damage to the cooling system if required
Cooling system is clogged or cooling components are defective - Flush cooling system or replace faulty parts
Engine oil level is low - Check and refill engine oil
Fan belt tension is not adjusted or belt is worn - Adjust belt tension properly or change it
Thermostat failure - Test thermostat opening temperature, replace as required
Low engine power
Clogged or damaged injectors - Service or change fuel injectors
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly
Air filter is clogged - Clean or replace the air filter element
Clogged oil filter element - Change or clean engine oil filter element
Engine is running overloaded - Reduce load or shift to lower gear
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Correct valve clearance needs to be set
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust as required
Fuel pipes or hoses are clogged - Fuel pipes and hoses need to be cleaned
Insufficient engine compression: Valves are broken or leaking - Valves need to be replaced
Engine knocking sound or abnormal noise
Fuel injection pump timing is incorrect - Repair or replace fuel injection pump
Fuel injector nozzles are faulty - Change injector nozzles
Engine oil level is insufficient - Need to add engine oil
Coolant temperature is low - Warm up the engine
Worn main bearings or crankshaft - Install new parts
Stuck or worn piston rings - Replace piston rings
Flywheel screws are loose - Tighten the screws firmly
Engine consuming too much oil
Oil leaking: Seals or gaskets are wearing excessively - Replace defective parts
Oil viscosity is incorrect - Use oil of proper viscosity
Stuck or worn piston rings - Change piston rings
Damaged valve stems or valve guides - Install new valves
Scuffed cylinder liners or pistons - Inspect pistons and liners, change as required

Electrical System Troubleshooting
Battery does not charge
Battery faulty cell - Replace the battery
Battery electrical wire harness failure - Inspect wires for defects, change or repair
Battery cables and terminals are corroded or loose - Tighten or clean terminals and cables
Defective belt or improperly adjusted belt tension - Change belt or adjust belt tension properly
Starter cranks slowly
Low battery output voltage - Battery needs to be recharged
Battery is not holding charge - Service charging system or replace battery
Damaged battery wiring harness - Inspect wiring for damage, replace or repair
Battery terminals and cables are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean terminals and cables
Starter will not crank
Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery
Drained or defective battery - Charge or change the battery
Starter motor is damaged - Repair or replace starter
Wiring is improperly connected or disconnected - Need to reconnect the wiring properly

Transmission Troubleshooting
Gear shift is hard
Misadjusted or defective clutch - Adjust or replace the clutch
Gear shift linkage is damaged or loose - Service or replace shift linkage
Shift forks are worn or damaged - Install new shift forks
Gearshift mechanism failure - Change or repair failed components
Insufficient transmission oil pressure
Low transmission oil level - Check transmission oil level and add oil as required
Clogged transmission fluid filter element (if fitted) - Replace or clean transmission fluid filter
Relief valve sticking - Replace relief valve as required
Excessive transmission noise
Broken or worn bearings - Change the bearings
Fluid level is low - Fill the transmission housing with fluid
Dirty transmission fluid - Change transmission fluid
Gears are defective or backlash is incorrect - Replace gears or set backlash correctly
Bent or worn shift forks - Replace the shift forks
Transmission oil leaking
Seals or gaskets are damaged - Install new seal or gaskets
Cracked transmission case - Install a new transmission case

Hydraulics Troubleshooting
Hydraulic system overheated
Hydraulic system pressure is not adjusted correctly - Correct adjustment is required
Main relief valve failure or incorrect setting - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary
Dirty hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed
Air enters in hydraulic system - Inspect the suction line, pump seals, and fittings
Low hydraulic oil pressure
Hydraulic oil level is low - Check oil level and add hydraulic oil as required
Hydraulic fluid filter clogging - Service or replace the hydraulic filter
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Check pump capacity and change if necessary
Hydraulic control valve is defective or set improper - Set correctly or replace
Hydraulic cylinder is broken - Inspect the cylinder components for damage or wear and change if required
Hydraulic piping leaks - Identify leaks in the system and repair it
3-point hitch lifts too slowly or can't lift
Not enough hydraulic fluid in the system - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid
Cold oil in hydraulic system - Wait for oil to warm up
Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Hydraulic filter maintenance required
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Test pump performance and replace pump if necessary
Main relief valve malfunction or incorrect adjustment - Replace or set up the relief valve
Hydraulic control valve block is not set properly or defective - Replace or adjust correctly
Hydraulic cylinder malfunction - Check cylinder parts for wear or damage and replace if necessary
Damaged or disconnected hydraulic suction pipe - Connect or replace the pipe
Hitch does not lower or lowers very slowly
Hydraulic spool valve is defective or set improper - Adjust properly or replace
Hydraulic cylinder is broken - Inspect the cylinder components for damage or wear and change if required
Lift arm shaft is damaged - Install a new shaft
The hitch has any internal mechanical damage - Replace worn or defective hitch components
Hitch is lowered or raised jerkily
Aeration in hydraulic system - Inspect the pump seals, suction pipe, and fittings
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Change hydraulic fluid
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Flow-rate hydraulic pump and replace pump if necessary
Hydraulic spool valve block is defective or set improper - Set properly or replace
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Check the cylinder components for damage or wear and change if necessary

Steering System Troubleshooting
Steering wheel is very heavy to turn
Defective or incorrectly installed steering column - Reinstall the steering column or change it
Air in steering system - Bleed the steering system
Incorrect toe-in - Adjust toe-in correctly
Incorrect tire pressure - Inflate the tires correctly
Faulty steering pump - Replace or repair steering pump
Defective or worn hydrostatic steering unit - Inspect and change as required
Relief valve malfunction or sticking - Inspect relief valve and replace if necessary
Steering fluid insufficient - Check and refill steering fluid
Steering system has oil leaks - Retighten steering hose and line connections
Excessive steering wheel play
Worn steering column coupling or shaft - Replace faulty component
Worn or damaged hydrostatic steering unit - Replace or repair steering unit as required
Steering pump is faulty - Repair or replace steering pump
Steering tie-rod ends or linkage are defective - Replace failed component
Tractor is pulling to left or right
Tire pressure is improper - Inflate the tires properly
Improper toe-in - Check toe-in and correct
Steering linkage or tie-rod ends are worn - Change failed part
Defective or worn hydrostatic steering unit - Check and replace as required
Steering cylinder is worn - Change or repair hydraulic steering cylinder
Improperly adjusted or worn front hub bearings - Replace or adjust the bearings correctly

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