John Deere Air Ride Seat Problems
Although air-ride seats reduce shocks and vibrations that cause back pains and discomfort, they are not without problems.
In this article, I talk about some of the common John Deere air ride seat problems and simple DIY solutions.
John Deere Air Ride Seat Problems, Causes, and Possible Solutions
Before I go into details, let’s have a look at some common John Deere air seat problems and their possible solutions.
|
Problems |
Possible Solutions |
| 1. Air ride seat not working |
|
| 2. Air compressor not working |
|
| 3. Air ride seat leakage |
|
| 4. The seat won’t go up |
|
1. John Deere Air Ride Seat Not Working
The John Deere air ride seat not working is the most common problem users of this machine face.
Most John Deere air ride seat users complained about the seat not working. For some reasons unknown to them, the compressor ran but the seat refused to air up.
Causes:
- Blown fuse
- Bad wiring
- Faulty seat switch
- Damaged air pump
Fix:
First, check for blown fuses if the seat refuses to air up. You can use a test light to find out the defective fuse. Once you identify it, quickly replace it with a new fuse and check if the seat works.
The next thing to check is the seat switch. The switch is responsible for activating and airing up the seat. The seat switch can be found at the side of the seat, close to the floor. By pressing the switch, the airbag system can be turned on and off.
The airbag control module and sensors for the seat are linked to the switch. A person’s weight pressing down on the switch will cause the airbag system to deploy.
Use a voltmeter to test the wires of the switch. One should produce voltage, and the other should be grounded. If neither of them produces power, the switch is faulty and should be replaced.
Furthermore, the seat wiring may be bad, broken, or loose if the seat is not airing up. Check the wirings that connect the switch to the seat and the internal wirings. Replace any bad wiring and tighten every connection.
Finally, check the air pump to see if it is damaged. If the pump is faulty, the seat will not air up. You will need to replace the pump if this is the case.
2. Air Compressor Not Working
The air compressor is powered by the switch and it helps to pump air up the seat once the switch is triggered or turned on.
The compressor can seize to work for a couple of reasons. The problem could be from the connectors, wiring, or the compressor itself.
Causes:
- Unplugged connector
- Bad wiring
- Damaged/defective compressor
Fix:
The first thing you should check if the compressor isn’t working is the connectors. The connectors may be unplugged and the compressor will not receive power as a result.
Check the connectors and ensure that they are rightly plugged before carrying out any repair procedure.
Another reason the compressor may stop working is bad wiring. If the wires become broken, cut, split, or damaged in any way, the compressor will not work. This is because the power it receives from the switch has been affected by the bad wire.
Tighten every loose wiring and replace bad wires to fix the compressor.
Finally, the compressor may be worn or defective if the connectors and wiring are okay.
If your air ride seat is old and has been used for a long time, the compressor can get defective as a result of frequent use, environmental factors, or heat.
The solution to this would be to replace the old compressor with a new one to get the seat working again.
3. John Deere Air Ride Seat Leakage
Another problem with the John Deere air ride dear is air leakage. If you find out that the seat is losing air pressure quickly, there may be a leakage and you will need to find out the source.
The source of the leakage could be the airline, compressor plug, switch, or air pump.
To determine the source of the leakage, you can use the soapy water detection technique.
How To Diagnose An Air Leak
- First, clean the air seat and its components to remove any dirt.
- Then, mix water and detergent to form a soapy consistency.
- Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it onto the various components of the air seat like the airlines, compressors, switch, and other parts
- You can use a sponge or foam to apply the mixture if you do not have a spray bottle
- Watch for the formation of bubbles. Wherever you find bubbles forming is the source of the leakage.
Causes:
- Clogged/split airlines
- Bad compressor plug
- Cracked switch
- Damaged air pump
Fix:
The first part to check is the airlines. If the airlines are the source of the leakage, you will need to remove the split ones and replace them.
The compressor plug may be ill-fitting or suddenly develop a leak. If the soapy water confirms it as the source of leakage, purchase a new plug part and replace it.
Sometimes, the switch may become cracked and allow air to leak through it. Check the switch and tape it up or replace it if it is cracked.
The seat may also begin to lose air pressure quickly as a result of a damaged air pump. If the air pump is damaged, the seat will deflate and lose air quickly.
Clean the air pump thoroughly and reassemble it. If this doesn’t work, purchase a new air pump and replace the damaged one.
4. Air Ride Seat Won’t Go Up
In rare cases, the seat might get stuck. If you discover that all the various components of the seat are working appropriately, and the seat still won’t go up, it may be stuck.
This may be caused by rusted seat posts, debris accumulated under the seats, or a damaged seat base.
Causes:
- Debris under the seat
- Rusted seat posts
- Damaged seat base
Fix:
First, clear the seat base and remove every dirt and debris. You can remove the seat to do this effectively.
After cleaning, spray a WD-40 on the post and place the seat back. If this doesn’t work, put a jack under the seat and apply some pressure to release the seat.
If the problem persists, you may need to replace the seat base.
John Deere Air Ride Seat Problems – Nothing Is Working Out?
If you have applied all the repair steps above and nothing seems to be working out, contact a professional to troubleshoot further and fix the problem.
Usually, the problem will be resolved after fixing and replacing the damaged parts.
If the problem persists, the seat might be damaged beyond repair. This is usually the case if the seat is very old and has been used actively throughout its lifetime. Contact your John Deere dealer for seat replacement.
What Users Think About The John Deere Air Ride Seat
A lot of John Deere tractor users appreciate the air ride seats and find them quite useful when mowing.
Not only does it offer comfort, but it protects them from sharp bumps, and minimizes vibrations, and shocks especially when mowing uneven terrains.
Some users, however, complained about the compressor and leakage problems. These problems are usually encountered after many years of using the seats and are problems that can easily be fixed. I have talked about these problems and provided solutions to them.
Generally, the John Deere air ride seats are functional and very convenient to use.
Conclusion
An issue with your John Deere air ride seats does not always mean that you need to change or replace the seats. There are simple repairs that you can carry out to get your seat working again.
Whether it is a leakage problem, a compressor problem, or an air pump problem, I have explained the causes and their fixes in this article.
Follow the instructions in this article to fix your air seat problem. If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to contact a professional technician or your John Deere dealer for assistance.