DK35 Dead - Won't Start

[WhatIsChazaq]

Here we go...

I am a knucklehead for making this so much more complex than ever necessary. I am an IT Manager/IT Geek by trade, troubleshooting is my job and I failed to adhere to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).

I bought a $6.54 2 Gauge 19" long grounding strap at Wal-Mart. Installed it at 6am this morning. As soon as I had it on the terminal it was readily apparent that the entire problem was the grounding strap from the get-go. The turn signal started blinking steadily and without interruption.

I hopped into the seat, warmed up the plugs, turned it over and she fired right up. This turd hasn't run in six months because I completely over thought/over complicated it!

I'll post a pic of the old ground strap. You would never guess in a million years by observation or touch that there is anything wrong with it. Absolutely no visible sign of corrosion, no cracking, still feels rock solid along the entire length of the cable.

Thank you all for the help. Sad to say that we are moving to the city in 5 days too. Probably won't be around here on the forum much any more.

...and why was the left signal blinking and I couldn't turn it off? Yeah...the hazards had been turned on. "Someone" pulled the switch at sometime in the troubleshooting process. Apparently the right blinker bulb is out.

 

[k0ua]

Here we go...

I am a knucklehead for making this so much more complex than ever necessary. I am an IT Manager/IT Geek by trade, troubleshooting is my job and I failed to adhere to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).

I bought a $6.54 2 Gauge 19" long grounding strap at Wal-Mart. Installed it at 6am this morning. As soon as I had it on the terminal it was readily apparent that the entire problem was the grounding strap from the get-go. The turn signal started blinking steadily and without interruption.

I hopped into the seat, warmed up the plugs, turned it over and she fired right up. This turd hasn't run in six months because I completely over thought/over complicated it!

I'll post a pic of the old ground strap. You would never guess in a million years by observation or touch that there is anything wrong with it. Absolutely no visible sign of corrosion, no cracking, still feels rock solid along the entire length of the cable.

Thank you all for the help. Sad to say that we are moving to the city in 5 days too. Probably won't be around here on the forum much any more.

...and why was the left signal blinking and I couldn't turn it off? Yeah...the hazards had been turned on. "Someone" pulled the switch at sometime in the troubleshooting process. Apparently the right blinker bulb is out.

Whew. Glad that is over.. I have been pulling my hair out, (and I have very little hair anyway) and the eyestrain of going over that darn schematic has given me a headache. No. seriously we are very happy you got it fixed.. Didnt I say something about a uh.. darn groundstrap? and it might fall in two if you pulled on it. I am guessing there must be a high resistance up inside of the plastic jacket or something? Tell us all about it. I am sorry to hear you will be leaving us, You can still be a member without a tractor you know.. and you can come on and help guys with DK's that have funny electrical problems I wish you well.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

Is there any chance the 4way flasher is on, if one turn signal was burn out it would appear this way when you have power.
Bad ground cable and one burnt out turn signal with the 4 ways on could explain everything.
Good luck
Don va3any

A tip of the hat to VA3ANY for figuring out the hazards were on.
You keep going like that and you are going to make a "ham" some day.
73
James K0UA

 

[WhatIsChazaq]

After I sanded the frame attach point for the old ground strap AND the copper end and cranked down the battery terminal connector, I definitely had solid attachments. Yet I still had the same intermittent electrics. I could grab and yank the heck out of the cable and I could hear the relay clicking like mad. That's when I really knew I was a knucklehead.

I think I will split the insulation lengthwise along the cable and lay it bare to see what I find inside.

 

[grampastractor]

A tip of the hat to VA3ANY for figuring out the hazards were on.
You keep going like that and you are going to make a "ham" some day.
73
James K0UA

Well, some times it takes someone simple to figure out a simple problem, you guys are much to smart.:laughing:
Glad to hear everything worked out.
All the best with the move.
Don va3any

 

[k0ua]

After I sanded the frame attach point for the old ground strap AND the copper end and cranked down the battery terminal connector, I definitely had solid attachments. Yet I still had the same intermittent electrics. I could grab and yank the heck out of the cable and I could hear the relay clicking like mad. That's when I really knew I was a knucklehead.

I think I will split the insulation lengthwise along the cable and lay it bare to see what I find inside.

Within 2 or 3 inches of the part that is close to the battery you will find white/green powder and eaten up copper that vibration and arcing has finished the job on it. Just a guess. but let us know.

James K0UA

 

[Coyote machine]

Dear KNUKLEHEAD!
You got to 'keep it 'simple stupid', KISS it again and again!
I am so glad to hear you finally took our advice and changed out the ground cable. I first experienced them going bad on a regular basis on salt water use boats, and have since always kept a note to check them on cars, tractors, anything with a 12 volt electrical system.
Bet you won't do that again, eh?!:confused2:

Hey, I want full credit on this one too!:cool2: I first mentioned it in post #31 of this thread when replying to pafoodplotter about his similar problem.
Just saying-:thumbsup::anyone:

 

[phiferpharm]

Dear KNUKLEHEAD!


Hey, I want full credit on this one too!:cool2: I first mentioned it in post #31 of this thread when replying to pafoodplotter about his similar problem.
Just saying-:thumbsup::anyone:

I can see your point CM, so in recognition of your OUTSTANDING commitment to this thread - I vote you should recieve an "AttaBoy".

One note here, as I used to tell my Soldiers, getting an Attaboy is a humbling experience and should be accepted gracefully. Further you should strive to collect as many of them as you can because it only takes one "AwSh*t" to wipe any record of the aforementioned "AattaBoy" record clean. Cheers :drink:

 

[k0ua]

Dear KNUKLEHEAD!
You got to 'keep it 'simple stupid', KISS it again and again!
I am so glad to hear you finally took our advice and changed out the ground cable. I first experienced them going bad on a regular basis on salt water use boats, and have since always kept a note to check them on cars, tractors, anything with a 12 volt electrical system.
Bet you won't do that again, eh?!:confused2:

Hey, I want full credit on this one too!:cool2: I first mentioned it in post #31 of this thread when replying to pafoodplotter about his similar problem.
Just saying-:thumbsup::anyone:

Yep full credit. but I mentioned it about 5 times too, and so did some other guys before I even started in on this thread. And Don came up with the hazards on and right side bulbs burned out to explain the "turn signal" left lamp on and cannot be turned off by centering the combination switch. Of course all of this and the clicking flasher unit were just red herrings to mask the real problem of an intermittent/high resistance ground strap.

James K0UA

 

[Coyote machine]

Yes! You guys are right- we ALL deserve Atta Boys for sticking with this thread. It definitely teaches us all to get down to the basics before jumping to any conclusions about tearing into things that can become expensive lessons in futility.
I'm glad that together we were able to find solutions to both poster's starting issues.