jd 620 electrical problem

Haven't used the lights much but turned them on the other night and wires started to fry. When I turn the lights on the ammeter pegs on the neg side and start to arc on one of the terminals. I'm sure that something is shorting out but where is a good place to start?

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Take a look at the diagram below.





Note the switch (Key 6), switch to rear lamp lead (black) (Key 8), switch to rear warning lamp lead (red) (Key 10), switch to L.H. lamp lead (black) (Key 11), switch to R.H. lamp lead (black) (Key 20), and side lamps wiring harness (Key 23).

You might consider checking the terminals and wiring connections on the switch.

Also check all the lead wires for breakage/wear that may cause them to "go to ground".

Be sure to check the terminals and wiring connections on the lamps.

Disconnect the side lamps wiring harness (Key 23) at the switch.

Turn the lights ON.

If the ammeter does not "peg", then turn the lights OFF and check/repair/replace the side lamps wiring harness, L.H. lamp lead (black), and R.H. lamp lead (black).

Disconnect the switch to rear lamp lead (black) (Key 8) at the switch.

Turn the lights ON.

If the ammeter does not "peg", then turn the lights OFF and check/repair/replace the switch to rear lamp lead.

Disconnect the rear warning lamp lead (red) (Key 10) at the switch.

Turn the lights ON.

If the ammeter does not "peg", then turn the lights OFF and check/repair/replace the switch to rear warning lamp lead.

Hope this helps.

Jay, you ask "but where is a good place to start"

Its a crowded rats nest behind the dash and that's one good "place to start" look for obvious signs of arcing and burning and melted insulation and discoloration.

Next is look where the wires go out to the lights themselves (nooks and crannies and turns and bends), that's another good place for a short, again melted wires or burning is pretty easy to see.

If its nice n quiet as you can get it, look and listen carefully as you very momentarily turn the switch on and off. If it were dark as possible you may see the arcing, another way to find the short.


Too much of a short should blow a fuse (if equipped) or eventually melt the wire open after which the melted or blackened insulation or signs of the short should appear to the eye, but its sooooooooooo crowded behind the dash, pray its somewhere out in the wires to the lights lol the short will eventually burn the at fault wire open then maybe you can find and repair it.

John T

After about a hour of tracing wires I finally found it. Thanks

Good for you. What was it ? ?