john deere 3520 wont start.

[dodge man]

I’m going to guess it’s something other than the battery but I’d pull it out and load test it to make 100% sure. Charging it and checking the voltage is not enough, it needs load tested.

 

[burnpile]

Wouldn't using the jump battery eliminate the possibility that the battery was the problem? I started taking the plastic covers off around the steering wheel and gauge panel, I'll get a pic when I get them off, from what I can see there is a ton of dirt/grass covering everything under them.

 

[dodge man]

Not if the battery is shorted out. I’ve seen batteries that are so dead you couldn’t jump a vehicle also.

 

[burnpile]

I'm going to buy a new battery and see if that helps, I just checked the voltage on the existing and it only 12.7 v.

 

[Williy]

The battery can have voltage but no amps that's
why Dodge man said load test it to make sure the
battery is good.

willy

 

[burnpile]

Took it out tonight, its 8 years old, seems like its not been long since I remember putting it in but I cant be 8 years older....

 

[sandman2234]

Took it out tonight, its 8 years old, seems like its not been long since I remember putting it in but I cant be 8 years older....

LOL!
Time flies when you are having fun!
Maybe the battery was 5 years old when you put it in! That would account for its age, lol!
David from jax

 

[kennyd]

checking the voltage is not enough, it needs load tested.

You can always check the voltage while the lights are on and trying to crank, that will sometimes show a large voltage drop indicating a bad battery,

These are also handy to have around for the price:

https://www.harborfreight.com/135-amp-612v-battery-and-system-load-tester-58944.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp-612v-battery-load-tester-61747.html

 

[burnpile]

You can always check the voltage while the lights are on and trying to crank, that will sometimes show a large voltage drop indicating a bad battery,

These are also handy to have around for the price:

https://www.harborfreight.com/135-amp-612v-battery-and-system-load-tester-58944.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp-612v-battery-load-tester-61747.html

I'm going to get one, takes the guessing out of battery health. The new battery will be at my shop today so hopefully that does solve the problem.

 

[burnpile]

I guess its a process of elimination, new battery has the same symptoms. Must be a wire that is shorted or something. I'll continue taking the plastic off, I think I need to remove the steering wheel and the nut that holds the ignition switch in place, have all other fasteners out that I can see. Going to Lake Tahoe for the weekend so nothing will get done until I get back most likely.