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[JimMorrissey]

My L39 decided today, of all days to just not start. It's snowing like I've never seen before....I'm up to mid thigh and the state of Vermont has abandoned the highways (unheard of in my memory)...all state troopers have been called off...the snow is hard to believe and our county is in a state of emergency....and my L39 refuses to turn over I've owned three Kubotas and none have pulled this trick.

Here are the symptoms. It's as if the machine thinks it's in gear or something is engauged keeping it from kicking in the starter. It will not send juice to the starter from what I can tell. I can hear the glow plugs fire, then click and the gauges all look good, but when I turn the key nothing happens. It doesn't even attempt to turn. I used the machine earlier in the day to blow mountains of snow, then let her idle for about 30 seconds in an open ended garage in 12 degree weather...., then killed it with the key and plugged in the block heater. Around 5:00 or so, when it piled up another couple feet, I decided to blow again, but she won't start. I made sure the GST was in neutral and the PTO was off....nothing. I know the battery is good because the light shine bright and I've had no problems with the battery lately. It's got to be some kind of electrical issue with all the **** safety switches this thing has....

Any ideas on what this could be? I need to get her running as we are buried in snow here.

 

[pdowling1]

My bet would be a frozen interlock switch. Look for ice interfering with one of them.

 

[MOPAULY]

I'm guessing you have a switch stuck or literally frozen. I'm guessing you've moved the levers to make sure nothing is stuck?

 

[JimMorrissey]

pd......What's a "interlock switch" and where might I look for such a thing.

 

[Stargazer]

like the seat switch or anything that has to be in neutral to start sorry don't have your model normally a plunger type switch think kub calls them operator present switch

 

[WALT]

Hi Jim:

We finally got some snow in CT. also, about 5"-6".

For the starting problem, start with the simple things. I had the same problems, and spent 6+ hours one day, taking my L-39 apart, including the electronic instrument panel. My voltage was too low to start & operate the tractor.
It ended up being that the ground wire from the battery to the frame connection was both loose and painted.
I cleaned it up and re tightened the frame bolt, and had no more problems starting the tractor. It's a quick & easy fix.

Good Luck, I'll be plowing the drive in the morning.

WALT

 

[BTDT]

Can you short across starter and get it to start? Just make sure it's in neutral, pto off, etc. Spray some WD40 in key switch, tumblers may be froze up.

This poster had same similar key switch problem, except his wouldn't turn off. His solution is on the second page

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/94468-real-turn-off.html

 

[MrJimi]

Having lived in Maine for over 33 years something got wet and froze, Ask me how I know Can you warm up machine? maybe a tarp over open end of shed and run some heat to melt ice on your machine ? Even a blanket over one side of machine for awhile and then the other side or a light bulb with a blanket over the machine. Its worth a try and best of luck with it.
It will be fine when your temps get over 32 F and ice melts
And graphite is the best for freezing lock cylinders, it comes in a small squirt bottle and messy
Jim

 

[DavidVT]

Hi Jim,
Lovely weather we are having!! I just got back from a month in Oman (92F). Mother nature threw me a nice welcome home party.

My wife struggled with the Kubota while I was gone. Seems the operator present switch under my seat was fighting with packed snow and she was too proud to tell me she was having a problem. Nevertheless I am glad I cleared all the snow before this storm.

Snow slowing here in Cabot but the wind just knocked out my big street light for the back driveway. Guess my plans to plow in the dark before my wife got up were just put out.... Drifting will be fun this AM.

ideas/thoughts: clutch pedal position sensor, pto switch sensor, that lovely seat sensor (but I don't think that would prevent a start, just prevent moving the tractor), etc etc.

Not sure there is a down side but the idea (BTDT) of turning the ignition on and then jumping the starter sounds like a fair idea. Just make sure there is no downside electrically and no chance of the tractor jumping (like in gear, etc). I don't know these engines well enough to know if there is a down side to trying to circumvent the starting interlocks. Perhaps the manual has some guidance on the interlock system?

Be careful!

 

[Egon]

As someone mentioned, put a tarp over it and put a small heater under the tarp. Wait an hour or so and then check it.

You could also hit all the switches with a heat gun trying to start after each switch. May be able find the culprit this way.

You'll get it going.