AlbionWood
Bronze Member
Tractor always starts right up, but suddenly won't even turn over. I get a click (relay or fuel solenoid?), then nothing, and subsequent attempts don't even produce a click. Voltmeter shows 12.45 volts across battery terminals, same across connectors. Checked for voltage across connection (battery post to connector) while turning key - zero volts (so connection is good). But under starting load, voltage across battery posts drops to low single digits. Does this mean the battery is bad, or is it still possibly a cable connection (maybe at the starter solenoid, or at the chassis ground)?
Took battery out and put it on charger - shows 100% charge. Put it back in, same problem. I had this exact problem 3 days ago and fixed it by filing the battery posts and connectors until bright, charged battery and reconnected, started right up. Today it's dead again, even though the connections look fine.
Wish I'd thought to check for voltage between battery terminal and starter bolt under load, before I took the cable off. Tomorrow I'm getting a new cable anyway, if they have one in town, this is the original and it doesn't look too good. Voltmeter shows 0.5 ohm resistance, which seems high for a 3-foot length of cable.
Took battery out and put it on charger - shows 100% charge. Put it back in, same problem. I had this exact problem 3 days ago and fixed it by filing the battery posts and connectors until bright, charged battery and reconnected, started right up. Today it's dead again, even though the connections look fine.
Wish I'd thought to check for voltage between battery terminal and starter bolt under load, before I took the cable off. Tomorrow I'm getting a new cable anyway, if they have one in town, this is the original and it doesn't look too good. Voltmeter shows 0.5 ohm resistance, which seems high for a 3-foot length of cable.