CK35 HST, nothing at key, no clicks, 100% good battery

[CenTex Chris]

Thanks to all.

Currently I do not own a good multimeter. ("Oh, so that's the type of person we're dealing with!")

I thought the jumper cable idea was brilliant, but I must be doing something wrong, because I can't get it to work... no hazard lights or horn or anything.

I tried neg. batt. term. to frame, and pos. batt. term. to starter with a nice set of jumper cables that I know to be good (plus, the batt. checks 100% full).

Unless I'm not on the starter properly. The cable clamps are beefy and the bolt on the starter is kinda small and difficult to grab onto, what with the limited space and all.

Back at it soon... it's blazing hot outside down here in central Texas.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Well, there is always the wire-wiggle technique. Apparently, you temporarily restored some conductivity while cleaning the battery connections. So turn on the flashers or headlights (key on too) and wiggle those battery cables again (one at a time) and see if moving one of them lets current flow. If so, replace that cable. Auto store (like Autozone) cables are fine as long as the length and end fittings are right (no special Kioti part needed).

I know about that Texas heat. While moving from FL to CA, driving on I-10, my 240Z got so it wouldn't go over 30 MPH and I had to fix it then and there. The problem turned out to be a clogged fuel filter in an aftermarket electric fuel pump (dealer installed under a recall). Fortunately, I had some fuel hose with me so I could bypass possible problem areas until I isolated it to that pump. I did not even know there was a filter in there. It was 1984 but I recall that blacktop parking lot vividly to this day.

 

[k0ua]

I don't blame you for not wanting to work out in this blistering heat. I am older and fatter now, and it takes the "sap" out of me pretty quick. Rich, I wonder if I held a regional weekend class on how to use a VOM I would get any takers. I have said this many times, I sure a heck wish our school system would take a little time and teach something as simple as how to use a VOM and the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance. Just DC only theory, not getting into the more advanced AC theory. But just something practical so that guys would know how to perform a few simple tests to get their iron going again. Heck with using a VOM, a lot of these things can be done with something as simple as a brake lamp with some wire soldered on the terminals. But that does take us into soldering and that is a whole 'nuther ball of wax.. wont go there. I will shut up now.

 

[CenTex Chris]

@Scott:

SUCCESS with the wire-wiggle technique.

I turned on the hazard lights and futzed with the ground cable, the one that I reported as *looking like* it was in perfectly serviceable condition. While doing this, the hazards would flash at times and quit at times. The ground cable is kinda stiff, and I "massaged" it in a particular direction to the point where the hazards would stay on. Then I climbed into the saddle and gingerly moved the key to the first position. Reassuring clicks, wonderful dash lights. Did this back and forth a few times to be sure, then tried the start position. Tractor fired right up! Drove around the front yard for a few circles then parked in the shade. I regretted turning it off. Time to head to the local AutoZone for a replacement ground cable.

The wife says, "you fixed it!" "Not me," I replied. "The forum."

@James:

I'd take that class. It's something I'd want to do in person, hands-on, not some online webinar thing. But if you did something along those lines, I'd sign up for it.

This affair plus the one in May that you helped me with have reminded me that I need a halfway-decent VOM and some understanding of how to use it. Can't afford a Fluke but I've been looking at the lower costing multimeters on Amazon that get good reviews, such as this one:

Amazon.com: INNOVA 332 Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter: Automotive

Or maybe this one:

Etekcity MSR-C6 Digital Clamp Meter, Auto-Ranging Multimeter with Voltage, AC Current, Diode and Resistance Test: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Of course, I'm open to suggestions on this purchase but right now I've gotta keep it down to $30 or so if there's such a thing as a good one for that price.

Thanks again Scott and James and others who responded here for getting me going again.

P.S., yes, that hot Texas blacktop can burn itself into your memory (and rubber-soled shoes) in a blistering, particularly indelible way...

 

[k0ua]

I would probably trend to the Innova 3320. The other one looks good too, but the clamp portion is AC only. And If I was to get a clamp meter, I would hold out for one that does DC also. But those are usually twice as much money. So for 21 bucks... Yeah, I could invest in one of those. Glad you got some traction on the battery cable issue. Now when you get the new one, put on some no ox id.

I swear I don't get a dime for promoting this crap, but I have used it for decades on battery terminals as a professional when I used to install PBX's. They always shipped some to coat the battery plants terminals and cable connections. There was always some left over after each install, so I always took it home. I haven't been installing battery plants for over 15 years, now, and while I am running a bit low I still have probably enough to last me till the end. So I have never bought any. but if you want to here is a link.

Amazon.com: no ox id a special

 

[k0ua]

Chris you kept a good sense of humor in all of this. Some guys get so hot a frustrated or embarrassed we never hear from them again.

I tried the horn again. It responds immediately with a loud and fat beep, but a second and third time it's the soft quiet trailing cry of a sleepy kitten.

Currently I do not own a good multimeter. ("Oh, so that's the type of person we're dealing with!")

Those quips seemed pretty funny to me...:thumbsup:

 

[lt190b]

k0ua,the class idea is very interesting. What is your thoughts on digital vs analog VOM? My electrician friend hates the digital ones, because of the erratic readings.

 

[k0ua]

k0ua,the class idea is very interesting. What is your thoughts on digital vs analog VOM? My electrician friend hates the digital ones, because of the erratic readings.

If you want my opinion, they both have their place. I have several of both. If I want to know to greater precision what a reading is, I grab the digital. If I want to see a "trend" of a moving voltage, example tuning up a radio, or testing an electrolytic capacitor or checking a potentiometer for noise, these things cannot be done on the digital. You must use an analog. There is room for both. Either would work for a guy wanting get his tractor to crank. Heck, like I said, even a test bulb with wires on it would work for a lot of these test's. Not all, but many.

The biggest and best test instrument you can own is your brain, and one that has been trained by experience to look for anomalies and understand Ohm's law inside and out. Ohm's law is not just a good idea, it IS the law. We saw that here today. You cant get around the relationship of voltage, current, and resistance.

What we saw here today was a connection that had a very high resistance therefore anytime we tried to pull appreciable current thru the battery cable the voltage dropped well below what the systems needed to operate properly. For instance the wailing sleepy kitty, when the horn button was pressed. The static voltage was 12.6 volts but when that 12.6 volts was applied to the horn buzzer the voltage drop across that high value resistor (what used to be a low resistance piece of wire) dropped so low that it sounded like a sleepy kitten. This is the manifestation of ohms law in practical use.

Mr. Ohm lived a long time ago, but he gave us a law that can help us start our tractors today....

 

[k0ua]

About the class. I was half serious and half joking. How would we handle the distances involved? You guys are all over the US and some in other countries. I live near Branson, Mo. I agree that a webinar would not be near as good as being in the same room, but how would we do this? I have taught some gun safety classes in the basement of my home and I could probably do this there too, for a limited number of guys, But seriously who would drive all this way to hear me pontificate in a classroom/laboratory setting. ?

 

[lt190b]

Thanks k0ua.