John Deere 1518 – HCU: Header Sensors Not Available

The automatic header height and contour control system (HEADERTRAK) is unable to activate because it cannot detect the necessary header sensors. This prevents the proper operation of the system for stubble height or general contour following.

• 9540
• 9560
• 9580
• 9640
• 9660
• 9680
• 9540i
• 9560i
• 9580i
• 9640i
• 9660i
• 9680i
• 9560 STS
• 9660 STS
• 9760 STS
• 7460 Cotton Stripper

1. 1

   Verify the main header harness is securely connected to the combine at the single-point connector, checking for pushed-out pins, corrosion, or damage

2. 2

   Check sensor power supply via the combine's display (E01 address 15 for 'Height Sensor Power' and address 16 for 'Height Sensor Power 2'). Normal voltage should be 4.8 to 5.2 VDC; readings outside this range point to a voltage regulator issue or wiring short

3. 3

   Inspect individual header height sensor voltages, which should operate between 0.5 and 4.5 VDC. Error codes such as ER71, ER72, ER81 correspond to specific sensors having voltage that is too low or too high

4. 4

   Visually inspect wiring harnesses for rubbing, pinching, or rodent damage, and check sensor arms and linkages for binding or incorrect installation

5. 5

   Check the system's calibration status, as an uncalibrated header can log faults (indicated by codes like 1515.13 or 1516.13)

1. 1

   Resolve connection issues

   If the diagnostic checks reveal a loose or damaged connection at the single-point connector, clean and repair it as necessary. Ensure a solid connection is established.

2. 2

   Address sensor voltage issues

   If sensor supply voltage from the E01 controller is out of range, inspect the controller's wiring and grounds; if intact, the Header Control Unit itself may be faulty. If an individual sensor's voltage is out of range, inspect its specific wiring harness, check the sensor arm and linkage for damage or obstruction, and adjust the linkage position to bring voltage back into range.

3. 3

   Replace faulty sensors

   If a sensor is identified as faulty (e.g., no voltage reading, or voltage does not change when the header is moved), it must be replaced.

4. 4

   Calibrate the system

   After any repair or replacement, access the header calibration procedure through the combine's diagnostic menu. Lower the header to the ground to set the minimum sensor reading, then raise it fully to set the maximum reading.