victor43
Member
Since last summer, when I tried to start the tractor, most times it would take up to 10 or so tries turning the ignition key on and off to finally start. With each try, I could hear the starter solenoid click. I cleaned the battery terminals, battery clamps, and ground connection to the frame. Problem not fixed. I then replaced the starter solenoid and that didn't fix the problem. Since I needed the tractor to start without fail for winter snow blowing, I had the Kubota dealer pick it up for repair. He replaced the starter switch and it started OK all winter. This spring, the problem started again. When I used jumper cables to start it, it would start OK. I assumed the 8 year old battery was bad so I replaced it. Problem not solved. I then temporarily installed new battery cables. Problem still not solved. Finally I read Kubmech 's posting on this problem (7/15/04). He explained that the increased resistance in starting circuit as the parts aged caused a decreased voltage to reach the starter solenoid. When this voltage decreased enough, the solenoid did not have enough current to engage. His solution was to install a low voltage relay which would engage and allow full voltage from the battery to engage the starter solenoid. Use of John Deere part AM107421 was recommended (Approx $18). Since I had tried almost everything else (and didn't want to have to send the tractor back to the dealer) I bought the part and installed it. Tractor had sat for about a week and started on first try. The part has been installed for over a week and the tractor has not failed to start on the first try. Installation is easy, it is almost as if this part was made for installation on a Kubota. Wires from low voltage relay plug right into the Kubota solenoid terminals and wire from ignition switch. (See Kubmech 's posting for detailed installation instructions). If you have this starting problem and cleaning the battery cable clamps, ground, battery terminals and your battery is good, I would suggest trying this part. The most you can be out is about $20. Wish I had read this posting earlier, it would have saved me about $350. Thank you Kubmech