2016 max 26 hst won’t start

[ADKMax26]

Just wondering if anyone out there has had this issue before. I have a max 26 xl hst (mid mount pto and backhoe) that won’t start sometimes. Sometimes I can get it started with multiple attempts but today I had no such luck. When it doesn’t start I have no lights on the cluster at all when turning the key to the glow plug position. When you start to turn the key to the glow plug position you can hear what sounds like a relay click in under the hood. I believe it is the two by the nkg ignition module. When it doesn’t start I can always hear the click and also have hazard lights. I have cleaned the battery terminals and posts when this problem started a month or two ago. I have called the dealer and they recommend changing out the terminals. They say they have changed a bunch but also said my problem seemed a bit weird. This past Saturday it started fine but it was about 35 degrees today it is more like 15. I do not think it is a safety switch since you still seem to at least get lights and the glow plug when they are out of place. Ii have check the fuses with a fluke multimeter measuring for ohms. I only have 144 hours and it was bought used with 82 hours on it when I received it. Thank you in advance for any input.

 

[RNeumann]

Seems this one pops up every so often. I’d do a search here. I think their is a lot of info for this issue.

 

[ADKMax26]

I have but didn’t find anything with the same characteristics. Most at least try to turn over, have absolutely no power, or at least have dash lights. Supposed to warm up in a few days and will try to change the terminals. I found some bolt ons hopefully it will at least tell me if this fixes the issue. Has anyone had any luck with fluid film on the terminals preventing oxidation?

 

[ADKMax26]

Deleted double post

 

[johnsonauto]

Check / clean your battery cable connections, specifically take a good look at the wire that comes off the positive cable that is your main feed.

 

[Jabonee]

Re: 2016 max 26 hst won稚 start

Check the mega fuse and holder. Should be 30 0r 50 amp. Located by starter or beside radiator. Also have had wiring harness issues with max and e max's. connections are crimped not soldered. :thumbsup:

 

[s219]

Gosh, yes, this has been brought up before and it also affected my neighbor's Max 28. I believe it is a connector in the wiring harness, maybe one that feeds various relays, which gets wet and corrodes. I honestly forgot the details but do some searching on TBN and it may turn up. Dealers should be aware of it.

 

[mnscruff]

sorry so late, but my max 26xl did this very same thing, what I found was the battery ground cable came loose on the frame rail. I cleaned it up, added a dab of thread locker to the hold down bolt, tightened and now she fires every time.

 

[ADKMax26]

I have been putting the tractor in my small attached garage lately. I separated all the connections I could find and left them for a few days to dry out then added dielectric grease to both sides of the connections and also the backsides of the connectors. I am probably going to roll into this adding 2 sets of lights, relays and switches into the mix. I will leave a way to separate all of that though so I don’t end up multiplying my problem. Right now I plan on just to tie to constant power and not accessory power. I have sourced a secondary 4 spot fuse panel. I bought a amp wiring kit from crutchfield for supply side wiring. I also have changed my battery terminals out. I found a clamp style positive terminal with separate output terminals for better troubleshooting later. I used dielectric grease on my terminals too. I will probably do a separate post with all the details on the lighting project. So far everything has been firing fine but the garage doesn’t get cold enough for a real test. Going to keep it inside until I get my lighting project done and the weather is right for a test outside. I will try to update the post after the testing of cold temp starts is done.

 

[tmcj]

Re: 2016 max 26 hst won稚 start

This tractor is also notorious for a few other things that will prevent starting also. The wire for the seat safety switch often gets pinched or broken under the swivel seat linkage. There are also several other switches that have to work properly. One for the clutch, one for the HST directional pedals, and one for each of the PTO levers. Sometimes they just need wiggled a bit, adjusted, or I've even had one of the PTO switches fall out of place. If it doesn't seem to be a fuse or obvious wire issue, check the safety switches. :thumbsup: