Finally....an answer to the 2520 starting issue

[diesel466]

No....... I don't have a starting problem. The confusion is all about whether the 2520's have glow plugs or air pre-heaters, and what is the proper starting procedure. Some 2520 owners don't have the "Mystery" indicator light and my JD manual for the 2520 doesn't even mention anything about the light, its function or a starting procedure.

Your best bet would be to read all of this thread, and other threads which are referred to in this thread, and you will get a better idea of the confusion which surrounds the topic. It seems to me that JD has made a running change with the 2520, and basically we are trying to sort out what, if any, the changes were, and when they were introduced.

REV

Dear Rev You started all this when you said since it got colder it took more cranking to start tractor. Some of us have tried to help you by explaining the glow plug system and trying to help you find out if it was working. We know by looking at parts layout that early 2520 had a grid type intake heater and later models have glow plugs. I tried to use the comparision to my 3005 as I know for fact it has glow plugs.

 

[kjung17]

Shoot me your serial number and I'll check for serial number breaks on Monday.

 

[kjung17]

Dear Rev You started all this when you said since it got colder it took more cranking to start tractor. Some of us have tried to help you by explaining the glow plug system and trying to help you find out if it was working. We know by looking at parts layout that early 2520 had a grid type intake heater and later models have glow plugs. I tried to use the comparision to my 3005 as I know for fact it has glow plugs.

Sorry, I overlooked what looks like a darn good answer. I expect that there will be several different operators manuals or tech bulletins to cover the changes.

 

[eldercaddy]

Thanks rev for posting the details here. Its my pleasure to read it.

 

[revitupfaster]

Shoot me your serial number and I'll check for serial number breaks on Monday.

The serial number on my tractor is LV2620H607191.


When I started this thread, I said now that the colder weather is here, I noticed it took a bit more cranking to get it running. Here is the wording of my manual:

Set the engine speed hand throttle (C) to the 1/2-3/4 fast position.
Turn ignition key switch to the ON position.
Check indicator lamps:
Engine oil pressure light will glow.
Alternator/battery charging light will glow. Engine is now ready to start.

"Now ready to start" it says nothing about turning the key to the on position and waiting for any dash light to go out. To me it just says as long as the oil pressure and alternator lights are on, go ahead and start it.

That was what I was doing, and when it got colder, it was taking quite a few cranks longer to get it going. After finding out I did have the "Mystery" light on the upper right side of the dash, I now turn the key to the "on" position and wait for the "Mystery" light to go out and then crank it. It fires up pretty much immediately with this procedure.

This thread eventually evolved into whether the 2520 had glow plugs, or an air pre-heater system, which really, I don't care one way or the other what it has, but my main gripe was that the 2520 manual has left out, in my opinion, a critical section on the proper starting procedure, and any description or explanation of that "Mystery" light, which I definetely have on my tractor, but others don't. I would really like to compare an owners manual for a 07/08 2520 vs a 2010. I wonder if there is any difference? You can't go by the website, because it reads exactly as mine does, so it is just showing the latest version.

I think a lot of CUT buyers are like me, just regular guys that can finally afford to get that utility tractor they always wanted, and be able to play "Bob the Builder" around the homestead. You would think a company like John Deere, could at least supply us with a correct operators manual. For that matter, once a blatent error like this is known, they should send you a new one or simply an addendum, outlining the change, which you would keep with your original manual. The auto makers often send out a "revision" to something in the manual. I'd rather have an accurate manual than the "John Deere" hat they sent me.

From what I have read in all these postings, I think most dealers themselves aren't aware that the manuals are wrong. If they don't bother to take the time explaining the starting procedure, there are probably a number of guys (like I was) cranking the #$@$ out their starter motor in order to get the thing going, when just waiting a few seconds in the on position would make all the difference in the world. Probably extend the life of a few starter motors as well.

Thanks to all you patient posters out there that have had the stamina to stay with this thread. I've learned something, and maybe a few other 2520 owners as well.

Hopefully kjung17 can search out something for us as to whether running changes were made to the 2520's along the way.

REV

 

[kjung17]

I'm more than a little disappointed in your dealer. This question should have been resolved with one phone call. I would be surprised to find an addendum to the manual. I expect to find a DTAC solution. I' ll let you know.

 

[revitupfaster]

I'm more than a little disappointed in your dealer. This question should have been resolved with one phone call. I would be surprised to find an addendum to the manual. I expect to find a DTAC solution. I' ll let you know.

I'm not dissapointed with my dealer. I had previously bought an X495 from him, that definetly has a pre-heat light on the dash, and was told to turn the ignition on and wait for the light to go out, then start her up. Surprisingly, the manual says the same thing.

When I called him about the 2520, he said he was pretty sure the same procedure applied, and went out to check another 2520 he had. He came back to me and told me about the light and its position on the dash. So basically my question was solved with one phone call. Furthermore, I shouldn't have had to make the call......it should have been in the manual.

Since I had seen nothing about it in the manual, nor any starting procedure relating to the light, it was me that didn't realize it was there, because I wasn't looking for it. I didn't count the lights on the dash, the manual says when the oil pressure and alternator lights come on, you're good to go, so thats what I did. I never even noticed the glow plug/pre-heat or whatever you want to call it light.

I'm one of those guys that reads a manual pretty much cover to cover on anything I buy, to try and get a good basic idea of what everything does, but without having seen any description about this light, and being advised to wait till it goes out, I wasn't looking for it, and although it was coming on, I didn't realize what it meant, so I just cranked away until it started.

REV

 

[Rob2010]

I received my 2520 today and was told Glow plugs.

 

[revitupfaster]

I received my 2520 today and was told Glow plugs.

Check your owners manual......what does it say about the starting procedure?

REV

 

[Rob2010]

Owners manual is horrible does not even recognize the indicator light. Recommends I purchase a block heater.

 

[kjung17]

Ok Rev. Here is the scoop. LV2520H607191 is a good number. Are you William on haldimand? Operator's manual OMLVU19796 clearly fails to identify the preheat lamp as well as skipping any mention of cold start aid, other than the block heater. DTAC solution #75636 tells us that the manual "does not clearly detail operation of cold start aid". The solution reads: 1: Prior to starting engine, turn keyswitch to ON position for 20 seconds. 2: Set throttle to 1/2 full throttle. 3: Crank engine for no more than 20 seconds. If unit fails to start, repeat step 1. I hope it helped.

 

[JD755]

Thanks kjung17. To quote from my early post on the first thread:

"The 2320 and 2720 have glow plugs and their manuals say to turn the key to ON and wait a few seconds for the glow plug light to shut off, then start the tractor. The manual for the 2520 specifically leaves out anything about preheat, but it does have either glow plugs or intake air heater. Engines marked 3TNV82A-BMJK have glow plugs, while engines marked 3TNV82A-MJK, MJKE have air intake heaters. I would follow the the procedure for the other tractors and just pretend to wait a few seconds for a light to shut off before starting it in cold weather."

 

[kjung17]

This is correct. I would make all of our lives easier if manuals were 100%. Unfortunately, we lowly humans tend to make mistakes. If you guys need any info, please contact me. I'll be happy to look it up. Still love this site.

 

[glc24]

Engines marked 3TNV82A-BMJK have glow plugs, while engines marked 3TNV82A-MJK, MJKE have air intake heaters.

Thanks JD755,being mine is a BMJK,that cleared it up for me. I know one thing though,at least for me,having a block heater makes a big difference in how quickly the engine fires.:thumbsup:

 

[revitupfaster]

Ok Rev. Here is the scoop. LV2520H607191 is a good number. Are you William on haldimand? Operator's manual OMLVU19796 clearly fails to identify the preheat lamp as well as skipping any mention of cold start aid, other than the block heater. DTAC solution #75636 tells us that the manual "does not clearly detail operation of cold start aid". The solution reads: 1: Prior to starting engine, turn keyswitch to ON position for 20 seconds. 2: Set throttle to 1/2 full throttle. 3: Crank engine for no more than 20 seconds. If unit fails to start, repeat step 1. I hope it helped.

Thank you very much kjung17, and JD755, Yes, I am William (Bill) on Haldimand, so you have the right machine. I guess the DTAC (whatever that means) #75636 is some kind of "dealer update", am I correct? Too bad this wasn't passed on to the consumer. (ie..an addendum to the manual) Still doesn't address the "Mystery" light issue which some have and some don't. Can you find out if there was a particular time when JD added this light to the 2520?

When I wrote down my serial number from the machine, I don't believe I saw any other identification letters after the numbers.

OOps, I just went out and checked again, and the engine model number is actually under the hood on top of the motor. It is a BMJK which indicates that it has glow plugs,

Rob2010.......take note, sounds like you have the same incomplete manual I have.

Thanks very much kjung17, for your time and effort on this. I at least feel this subject has been "put to bed" for now. That's at least till another thread starts from some other 2520 owner that hasn't followed it.

And Yes, I still love my 2520........glow plugs and all.

REV

 

[Willl]

OOps, I just went out and checked again, and the engine model number is actually under the hood on top of the motor, and the engine type designation does not show with the machine's serial number, which is on the frame. It is an BMJK which indicates that it has glow plugs,

Looking straight down on the engine, you should of been able to see the GPs.(I believe)

 

[Deadman]

BREAKING NEWS!

My 2520 with no light on dash used to always crank over for 3-5 seconds before starting in cold weather. This was WITHOUT turning key "on" and waiting, I would just turn key directly to the start position.

TODAY, I decided to turn the key to "on" for 20 seconds just to try it after reading this thread for the last few days. The INSTANT I hit the starter, the engine was running. :thumbsup: It honestly startled me, because I was not expecting it to start for 2-3 seconds! :laughing:

Seriously, it starts ALOT faster with the "on" position and waiting. I let it cool down, and started it like this again later, and had the exact same results. Its really impressive. :thumbsup:

 

[revitupfaster]

BREAKING NEWS!

TODAY, I decided to turn the key to "on" for 20 seconds just to try it after reading this thread for the last few days. The INSTANT I hit the starter, the engine was running. :thumbsup: It honestly startled me, because I was not expecting it to start for 2-3 seconds! :laughing:

:thumbsup:

Well I'm glad somebody else learned something about their tractor. That said, I guess this 2nd or 3rd thread go round on the same issue was worth it. Too bad the owners manuals weren't right in the first place, would have saved a lot of wear and tear on starter motors.

I guess you take back your original comment about how easy your tractor started before, when you thought 3-5 seconds of cranking was OK, now that you know the proper method.


REV

 

[JD755]

Glad to hear things are going better now. I know having a light would have helped.

My 755 has the glow plug/heater/dash light/timer system common to all (or most) JD compacts, and I have always waited for the light to shut off. The time the light is on will vary depending on the temperature of the engine compartment. It has always (over 17 years) started about as quick as I can get the key turned to start and back to run position. If it ever took longer than that instant I would know something was wrong such as a nearly dead battery.