Are you familiar with the significance of each warning light on a John Deere tractor? These tractors feature a multitude of caution lights designed to notify you about potential system issues.
You should decode the information your John Deere tractor throws on the dashboard. Some are critical and require immediate attention, while others are acknowledgment messages for your action. Whichever the case, your timely response can save you and your tractor.
This article focuses on the 15 most common John Deere tractor warning lights and actions to take in each case. Read on for details!
Service Alert Indicator
Service alert indicator, also known as CAUTION, is a yellow light of an exclamation inside a diamond shape. It comes on when there is a malfunction in some of the systems. High coolant and hydraulic oil temperature and clogged transmission filter are some possible causes. Also, check your handbrake if the engine is running and you are in gear. It can sometimes be the cause.
Most importantly, check the message center for more information about the cause. You may have a John Deere tractor dealer to service your it.
Hydraulic Oil Temperature
Hydraulic oil temperature warning light is a drum with a piston and a fluid drop inside it. There is also a thermometer beside it. As the name suggests, the light indicator comes on when your transmission or hydraulic oil temperature rises above the recommended value. It is a critical condition that demands your immediate attention. Call a certified John Deere tractor dealer to diagnose the problem and fix it.
Electrohydraulic Hitch Indicator
This John Deere tractor warning light looks like two belted pulleys at an angle with the horizontal. It comes on when there is a fault on the hitch function. Error messages with more information may also appear on the tractor’s display. Check it for further details. But most importantly, contact your John Deere dealer to diagnose the tractor and fix the problem.
Neutral Indicator
The neutral indicator is an uppercase letter N. It only appears on John Deere tractors equipped with a transmission reverser. If it comes on, the transmission reverser is in a neutral position. It also flashes, meaning you did not correctly engage or shift the reverser. In that case, push the lever back to the neutral position.
But if the indicator flashes simultaneously with the information indicator, there is a malfunction. Check the error message and contact your John Deere dealer for further diagnosis of your tractor.
High Exhaust Temperature Indicator
The high exhaust temperature indicator is a smoke trail and a thermometer on the right. It illuminates the dashboard if the temperature inside the exhaust is high enough to trigger active filter cleaning. It is an automated process. Upon completion, the indicator should turn off. If it persists, there may be a fault that your John Deere dealer should check and address.
READ MORE: 15 Mack Truck Dash Warning Lights: Full List + Manual Download
Engine Air Cleaner Restriction Indicator
This warning indicator looks like a light bulb punctured by an arrow from the left. There is also a dashed thick line below it.
The light illuminates if the air cleaner components are clogged. You can resolve the issue by just replacing or cleaning the element. But calling your tractor dealer for further diagnosis may be necessary.
PTO Engaged Indicator
Power take-off (PTO) indicator is a gear with a rectangular arc covering it and a curved arrow in the clockwise direction below it. As the name suggests, it will come on when you engage power take-off gear. PTO is a system of gears that taps power from the transmission system to an auxiliary component connected to the tractor.
The PTO indicator comes on when you engage the gear for powering the auxiliary component and goes off when disengaged. If it responds differently, there may be a fault in the system that your John Deere dealer should check out.
MFWD Engaged Indicator
Mechanical front-wheel drive (MFWD) engaged indicator is a picture of a tractor and an arrow pointing away from the front wheel. This function is available in John Deere tractors with four-by-four drive capabilities. The MFWD indicator light comes on when you engage the front-wheel-drive. It should go off otherwise. If that is not the case, there may be a fault in the system. Contact your John Deere dealer for further diagnosis of your tractor.
Vehicle Indicator
The vehicle indicator light is a tractor and two arrows above it. One arrow points right and the other left. These are the turn signals. One of these John Deere tractor warning lights flashes depending on the switch you activate on the dashboard. If you press the hazard switch, all turn indicators keep flashing until you press it again to deactivate them.
READ MORE: 20 Isuzu Truck Dashboard Warning Light Symbols: Full List And Manual PDF
Differential Lock Indicator
The differential indicator is a pictorial representation of the differential and a padlock inside it. The indicator light illuminates when you lock axles together. Locking the axles may be necessary when driving your tractor on soft or muddy surfaces to get more traction. You don’t need it when you are on a dry road. In which case, unlock the axles.
Engine Information Indicator
Engine information indicator light looks like a conventional light bulb. It will come on when there is an engine malfunction. Start by checking the engine oil level and reviewing error messages in the information display. Contact your John Deere dealer if you notice anything that you cannot handle, as it will be in most cases.
Transmission Information Indicator
The transmission information indicator light is a gear. If it illuminates the dashboard, there is a fault in the transmission system. Check the information display for detailed information about the malfunction. This condition is critical. So, shut off the engine and call the John Deere dealer for further diagnosis. It may result in severe damages to the transmission if you continue using the vehicle.
READ MORE: Kenworth Truck Warning Light: 20 Symbols And Manual Download
STOP Indicator
The STOP indicator light is an octagon with the word STOP inside it. It shows a critical malfunction in the system that requires an immediate engine shut off. You may also see other warning lights and messages in the information display. Contact your John Deere dealer to diagnose the cause of the fault and fix it before you can use the tractor again.
Exhaust Filter Indicator
An exhaust filter warning light is a smoke trail passing through a perforated block. It comes on to inform you of the accumulated soot in the filter. Clean your filters as soon as you can when you see this indicator. A diagonal line from top-left to bottom-right corners if you disable the system.
Park Brake Indicator
Park brake indicator light is a circle within the braces and letter P inside it. It comes on when you engage park brakes while the engine is running. Audible alarm beeps also accompany it in some models.
Final Words
Your manual has more information about what John Deere tractor warning lights mean. We discussed only the most common symbols that you should always turn your attention to, but there are more. And remember to take the necessary action when you see a warning light on your tractor.
READ MORE: Bobcat Warning Light Symbols
