Checking Solenoids

Place a small steel screwdriver close to the solenoid stud. If the coil is drawing current, a slight pull will be felt on the screwdriver when the proper switch is pushed on the control console.

If no magnetic pull is felt, check to see if solenoid is receiving voltage. To check the solenoid for voltage:

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Connect clip end of voltage probe (similar to the one shown at right) to the valve block ground screw and insert the probe into the solenoid wire as shown at right. The light on the probe should come on when the proper switch is pushed on the control console.

If the light on the probe does not come on, this could indicate a break in the planter harness. See your John Deere dealer.

If the light on the probe does come on, this indicates the solenoid is receiving voltage from the control console but the solenoid is not drawing current. This could be caused by either:

1. Defective solenoid
2. Lack of contact between valve threads and valve block, or
3. Lack of contact between the coil and the wire leads.

To check for a defective solenoid, proceed as follows:

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Remove the nut, thin washer if any, and cover from solenoid (some solenoid covers may have a thin washer beneath the cover which should also be removed).

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Lift solenoid from valve. Place probe on metal ring on solenoid and clip end of probe to ground. If the light does not come on, the solenoid is defective. If the light does come on and the function still does not work, the solenoid may not be making contact with the valve block.

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