M1031 SECM Generator inop

[Mark3395]

I tried to engage and operate the bed-mounted generator in my M1031 contact truck and falied.

I placed it in park, transfer in neutral (hard enough because the transfer was stiff), pulled the PTO, and shifted to drive. When I flipped the PTO switch the light didn't go on.

The generator engaged but I got no output. Cycle rate gage didn't reflect a frequency. I flipped the breaker for 110 volts but got no output... it wouldn't power a trouble light, and flipping the breaker for the compressor produced nothing.

I shifted from drive to neutral and pushed in the PTO knob. Tried to shift to Park but suffered high frequency grinding. I eventually retreated to Neutral and shut down.

Running or still, it was hard to engage the transfer case.

Does any of this ring a bell with you?

I have an M944A1 SECM with a similar but much larger generator... and the manual advises that if the generator hasn't been run for a while I must apply a bit of voltage (to flash coils or something?) and suspect the same is needed for the M1031.

I'd sure appreciate any help.

Thanks.

Mark3395

 

[NDT]

The engine needs to spin up to 1200 RPM before you get output. If the red light did not come on with the governor circuit, chances are your Woodward governor system is INOP. You can try manually accelerating the engine with the gas pedal and having soldier b check for cycles on the gauge. If you discover the governor is not working, a quick search on this site will bring up the troubleshooting manual for the Woodward system and also the Lima generator. Good Luck!

 

[1956_4x4]

Be sure to check the safety switches. I had a missing switch on my transfer case shifter. The switch on the transmission shift linkage that senses "drive" can also be very touchy on my truck. The way the wires are run for the generator systems on these trucks is not really the best either; check to see if the wires have melted to the exhaust under the left side of the cab.

The transfer cases on these trucks can be a pain to engage. I'd guess that it's from lack of shifting throughout the years. Be sure the linkage is clean, lubed and the case is full of fluid.

Smitty

 

[b4thundr]

Be sure to check the safety switches. I had a missing switch on my transfer case shifter. The switch on the transmission shift linkage that senses "drive" can also be very touchy on my truck. The way the wires are run for the generator systems on these trucks is not really the best either; check to see if the wires have melted to the exhaust under the left side of the cab.

The transfer cases on these trucks can be a pain to engage. I'd guess that it's from lack of shifting throughout the years. Be sure the linkage is clean, lubed and the case is full of fluid.

Smitty

Hi yes this is all true alot of times you can bypass these switches just put a zip tie on the switch, or put both wires on the same side of the switch. the old style of the govener system on these truck is not very good they wont hold 60 hertz very well sometimes they hunt up and down and sometimes they wont work at all lol as most everybody knows, the farm service truck's new governor system works perfect every time its so nice knowing that its gonna work every time i go to use it, frankly when i need it! Had to work on the rock picker the other day removing bolts with the impact wrench off of the air compressor.

 

[NPD732]

Check the fuses on the govenor circuit. One is under the green cover panel for the govenor controls and one is at the main fuse block. Mine had a blown fuse and acted the same way. I agree the control wiring is a mess. I built new colored coded wiring harnesses encased in splitloom with weatherpack connectors for ease of troubleshooting. Smitty is correct on the safety switchs. The drive indicator one is especially prone to sticking or getting out of adjustment.

 

[1956_4x4]

Hi yes this is all true alot of times you can bypass these switches just put a zip tie on the switch, or put both wires on the same side of the switch. the old style of the govener system on these truck is not very good they wont hold 60 hertz very well sometimes they hunt up and down and sometimes they wont work at all lol as most everybody knows, the farm service truck's new governor system works perfect every time its so nice knowing that its gonna work every time i go to use it, frankly when i need it! Had to work on the rock picker the other day removing bolts with the impact wrench off of the air compressor.

I know you use your truck as it was intended. I had around 60 hours on the generator on my truck when I picked it up. Once I got the truck running I found the problems with the generator. I had switches missing/out of adjustment, wiring hooked up incorrectly and a bad magnetic pick-up switch. After fixing these problems I haven't had another problem with the generator.

The truck gets used almost daily. I fix fire trucks for a living, so it hauls most of my tools around. I added a little mig welder and a small plasma cutter that handle 90% of the metal work. I found some of the original style flood lights and they work fine, but I have come across some extendable light poles that were mounted on a rescue truck. These will be added to the back of the box and will work as scene lights. I also added another air tank to the air system to increase the reserve capacity. I have a higher cfm compressor to install if the little electric motor will handle the increased load. The differential gears have been changed to 3.73, so I can now hear myself think while on the road. I have to admit that I have only engaged the 4wd once in a while to make sure it still works...

The truck isn't a powerhouse, but it gets the job done. It wasn't designed with any of the frills of some of the newer trucks and can be pure torture in the Florida summer, but it's paid off and is reliable.

Smitty

 

[b4thundr]

I know you use your truck as it was intended. I had around 60 hours on the generator on my truck when I picked it up. Once I got the truck running I found the problems with the generator. I had switches missing/out of adjustment, wiring hooked up incorrectly and a bad magnetic pick-up switch. After fixing these problems I haven't had another problem with the generator.

The truck gets used almost daily. I fix fire trucks for a living, so it hauls most of my tools around. I added a little mig welder and a small plasma cutter that handle 90% of the metal work. I found some of the original style flood lights and they work fine, but I have come across some extendable light poles that were mounted on a rescue truck. These will be added to the back of the box and will work as scene lights. I also added another air tank to the air system to increase the reserve capacity. I have a higher cfm compressor to install if the little electric motor will handle the increased load. The differential gears have been changed to 3.73, so I can now hear myself think while on the road. I have to admit that I have only engaged the 4wd once in a while to make sure it still works...

The truck isn't a powerhouse, but it gets the job done. It wasn't designed with any of the frills of some of the newer trucks and can be pure torture in the Florida summer, but it's paid off and is reliable.

Smitty

Sounds great!! i would love to see some pics of your truck! How is now with the 373 gearing? does it take off as well as it always did? and it must be nice to hear your self think! lol

 

[1956_4x4]

Sounds great!! i would love to see some pics of your truck! How is now with the 373 gearing? does it take off as well as it always did? and it must be nice to hear your self think! lol

I think the 3.73 gears are right for the type of use my truck sees on a daily basis. The truck has lost a little on the bottom end, but it still has the power to chirp an inside tire on pavement with the locker.

I'll work on getting some photos up. It isn't real pretty and still has the original desert tan paint. I'd like to go with the 3-color camo in the future, if I can ever get the time... My '56 is getting all of the attention right now.

Smitty