X380 Unused Electrical Connector Identification

@bogieboy may be able to help with this.

I think you're correct about that being for the electric mulch control kit.

According to the parts diagram, it's connector housing # T24167 on the tractor now. If I'm guessing correctly on the connectors on the mulch control wiring harness, the mating connector is T24166 and the wire terminals would be 57M9637 for the yellow wire and 57M7499 for the power wires. I can't find a picture of T24166 on the Internet to confirm that.

They didn't start including that connector on the tractor until 2018, so my 2017 technical manual doesn't show it on the schematic. For 2016-17, you have to replace the main tractor harness to get that connector and replace part of the operator panel to have the knockout for the switch.

greenmachine said:

If I'm guessing correctly on the connectors on the mulch control wiring harness, the mating connector is T24166 and the wire terminals would be 57M9637 for the yellow wire and 57M7499 for the power wires.

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Thanks a ton! These were the right numbers and after calling a few local dealers, I found one that had some in stock. Got the connector and 4 terminals all for under $6.

I am still curious about the purpose of the Yellow wire. Red and Black are a hot-at-all-times 12v source, and I get a path to ground through the Yellow wire, but I don't think it's simply another ground. Maybe part of the RIO system, or a signal to the cluster are my guesses.

You're welcome. Glad it worked out, and for a pretty reasonable price too!

The yellow wire being a signal to/from the instrument cluster computer is a pretty reasonable guess. Maybe it's an indicator that the PTO is on? I wonder if you can't open/close the mulch door if the PTO is on.

I'm not sure what an electric mulch kit is, but it sounds like it might draw a lot of amps, so the fuse that's there is probably rated higher than the wires you will be using for the LED lights, so I would add an in-line fuse that's rated for the maximum current that the wire you're using is rated for.

The 2016+ X300/X500 decks are designed to work with an optional electrically-controlled mulch cover on the discharge opening. You can choose to mulch or not by pressing a button on the dash. Here's the 42" version as an example.

greenmachine said:

The 2016+ X300/X500 decks are designed to work with an optional electrically-controlled mulch cover on the discharge opening. You can choose to mulch or not by pressing a button on the dash. Here's the 42" version as an example.

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Is it easy to retrofit? It’s a feature I didn’t order, don’t need, and for some reason really want.


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You may want to consider a relay in the circuit to avoid blowing that fuse when turning the lights on..a while ago someone in the Husq forum had an installation thread for a light system like this that included a relay

Deere didn't start putting the necessary power connector (discussed here) on the main harness until 2018. If you have a 2016 or 2017, you have to replace the main wiring harness to get that connector and replace a piece of the dash to get the hole for the switch. Once you have the correct power connector and a place to put the switch, you buy the electric mulch kit.

If you want to go back farther than that, then it's going to require a lot of creativity. Aside from the wiring, they changed the decks to "Accel Deep" decks with the other changes on X300/X500 in 2016.

As an alternative, they were pushing a manually-controlled mulch cover in 2016 and 2017. That's still a permanent installation of the discharge cover, but you open and close it with a lever on the deck rather than a button on the dash.

greenmachine said:

Deere didn't start putting the necessary power connector (discussed here) on the main harness until 2018. If you have a 2016 or 2017, you have to replace the main wiring harness to get that connector and replace a piece of the dash to get the hole for the switch. Once you have the correct power connector and a place to put the switch, you buy the electric mulch kit.

If you want to go back farther than that, then it's going to require a lot of creativity. Aside from the wiring, they changed the decks to "Accel Deep" decks with the other changes on X300/X500 in 2016.

As an alternative, they were pushing a manually-controlled mulch cover in 2016 and 2017. That's still a permanent installation of the discharge cover, but you open and close it with a lever on the deck rather than a button on the dash.

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Thanks for the info! I know they offered it to me as an option so I’m going to say I’m a MY18. There’s a hole for the switch for sure.

It’s still expensive though right?


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42" version (BUC10164) is about $326.
48" version (BUC10165) is about $356.
54" version (BUC10166) is about $406.

The 46 deck on my 322., 317.or 314 mulches just fine! A bought set of Predator blades (about $40), but I had some sheet metal & mounting hardware. If I didn't have the hardware, 2 each 1/4x3/4 bolts ($.12ea), 2 each 1/4 nut ($.21 each), and 2 each 1/4 wing nuts ($1.28 each) plus 1 piece of 16 gauge sheet metal, 8 x 18 ($11.48). So, for under $15 + $40ish for blades, I had everything! Deck already had 2 holes so I drill 2 holes in sheet metal to match. Install bolts & nuts in holes in deck. Bend sheet metal 90º, slip over screws and install wing nuts. Discharge chute opening is now covered and it mulches GREAT. Two wing nuts and it's off if you decide to bag or just side discharge. MUCH cheaper than a mulching kit and a solenoid valve. Bob

Found this?

subdivisionbigdog said:

Found this?

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Thanks. When I connected my volt meter previously I didn't have my key with me, but it acted like a ground, so I didn't think about it possibly being switched ignition. I'll run out there again today and remember my key this time, to see if it shows 12v with the key on.

Lurbie said:

I bought my first John Deere this year, a 2020 X380. I plan to plow snow with this and will likely be working in dim or dark conditions during the winter so I am going to install a couple of small LED lamps and strobes (I live on a highway and want to be seen when clearing near the road). There's an unused 4 way connector with three wires in it, located just below the fuse block. I think its for the electric mulch kit. Can I use this to power my lamps? I've tried to find schematics for this connector, but haven't found any unless I want to spend $150 for a service manual. I have a DVOM to check, but it's a safe bet red and black are power and ground.
What's the smaller gauge yellow wire?
What mating connector body and terminals do I need to make this a professional installation? I really don't want to cut my harness up to wire these in if I can get the right connector.
View attachment 2477268 View attachment 2477269 View attachment 2477270

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I have this exact setup and am trying to find the place to plu the 12V into to the "open terminal" at rear of fuse box. Is this where I would plug into (the port attached to the red wire)?

subdivisionbigdog said:

Found this?

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Based on this, you could still wire from the small wire to another switch for extra lights or just have them on whenever the key is on. The switch could then connect to a relay coil with the other coil lead connected to ground. The Red wire could be connected to a relay Common and the NO connected to the lights. Forgot, connect the negative of the lights to the Black wire.

On my X360, I switched out incandescent bulbs for LEDs and added roof mounted LED flood lights and a strobe. I ran them all off the lighting circuit and never had an issue with fuses.
Did similar to my X738. I agree with you about needing to be seen. I found having the lights high on the cab helps make the tractor look bigger. It keeps some cars further away, but others not so much. I only added one front and one rear flood on the X360, but I went with two front and two rear on the X738. I like the extra lighting.