DK 35 Won't Start

[wallace]

Only other thing I can tell you to look at is.
On the driver side of the tractor near the bottom of the steering column the is a black rubber square that acts as a panel push in on it and it will pop free. Grab it and pull it out once it is out of the way.
You will find the main wire harness down there there will be 2 plugs.
Unplug the plugs and make sure there is not corrosion in there you may even find a pin broke off.

 

[wallace]

One other thing you did say it made a click sound so this may not pertain but it is worth looking at.
Make sure your PTO switch on the dash is in the off position.

 

[Dmace]

I did notice that when a jumped across the lugs, sometimes the starter moter would engage the flywheel and sometimes the starter motor just spun.

Thanks

That is typical when jumping a solenoid with a screwdriver or other metal object. It does not always make a perfect contact so the starter motor does not always get the full 12volt load and it does not fully engage the starter gear. On the other hand, it is possible that the starter is on it's way out and the gear gets stuck disengaged and does not spin fast enough to engage the flywheel. You may get away with just a replacement starter solenoid for a while but since it is missing, I would just replace the starter.

 

[grapevine]

Just an update on the DK 35. After cleaning the terminals (and replacing them by the way) and making sure all connections were tight and clean, it still would not start. The loud click is clearly the plunger ramming back, engaging the fly wheel gear and supposedly making the connection to turn the starter motor - the starter motor would not turn over. It started every time by jumping the lugs. I was just about to pull the starter when --- it started normally. I used it 2 or 3 times for different jobs and it stopped starting again. Cleaned all the terminals and connections again and this time it will not start other than by jumping the solenoid lugs. Bottom line - it has to be the solenoid. Then I find out the bad news - Dealer #1 says Kioti does not sell just the solenoid - I have to buy the whole starter to the tune of 286.00 Then, as I am writing this note, Dealer #2 calls me and says North Carolina has solenoids in stock and one is being shipped for 63.22 plus shipping. Stay tuned, I have a sneaky suspicion this ain't over yet

 

[Dmace]

Hopefully you will get away with just replacing the solenoid. For reference, you should post the part number(s) when you get them so others that search for this problem will find this thread and the solution with part numbers.

 

[wallace]

Just an update on the DK 35. After cleaning the terminals (and replacing them by the way) and making sure all connections were tight and clean, it still would not start. The loud click is clearly the plunger ramming back, engaging the fly wheel gear and supposedly making the connection to turn the starter motor - the starter motor would not turn over. It started every time by jumping the lugs. I was just about to pull the starter when --- it started normally. I used it 2 or 3 times for different jobs and it stopped starting again. Cleaned all the terminals and connections again and this time it will not start other than by jumping the solenoid lugs. Bottom line - it has to be the solenoid. Then I find out the bad news - Dealer #1 says Kioti does not sell just the solenoid - I have to buy the whole starter to the tune of 286.00 Then, as I am writing this note, Dealer #2 calls me and says North Carolina has solenoids in stock and one is being shipped for 63.22 plus shipping. Stay tuned, I have a sneaky suspicion this ain't over yet

I would like to chime in here for a second.
I am quite sure I am dealer #1 here and after reading this post I had smoke coming out of my ears on this....I went to my parts guy and went up and down him as to what was said and where we got our info from!
He showed me what he did and sure enough he was right according to Kioti's parts look up and old parts books.
So now I am really fuming!!
I emailed Kioti and as to my surprise the response was they have a solenoid in stock. So my next question to Kioti was where the he!! was this info and Why am I not able to access it.
I did not get a complete answerer to my question but all I have to say to one of my potential customers is I am very sorry that I did not have this info prior to your call once again I do apologize.

 

[Gittyup]

Clearly some kind of systemic problems. None of us is perfect. At least you cared enough to find out the real story so that next time you can better serve your customers. Some dealers wouldn't care. They probably make a couple dollars more selling the whole starter anyway.

 

[Highbeam]

Maybe call dealer #2 and ask him for his info source?

 

[grapevine]

Just a final update on the DK35. Got the new solenoid in at the dealer today. Picked it up, installed it and the tractor started good as new. Certainly was not trying to put any dealer on the spot - just trying to communicate some of the issues encountered when obtaining parts. The confusion with this solenoid stems from the fact Kioti does not list the solenoid as a separate part number from the starter. Fortunately the one dealer picked up the phone to Kioti and asked. Was a $216 decision in my favor.