2516 Starting/Electrical issue

[jighead]

I have a 2516HST that recently started having issues with the safety switch on the clutch. I've had to find a sweet spot on the clutch for the starter to turn over. Also, my battery has been dying. I replaced my battery this afternoon, and went to start the tractor and got my battery and glow plug lights came on and I waited for the glow light to go out. I turned the key the whole way and in the process of trying to hit that sweet spot with the clutch, my dash lights went out, none of my lights work, and I've basically lost the electrical system. Neither of the 50A fuses are blown, one 10A fuse was shot, but I replaced it and it made no difference. When I look at the wiring for the safety switch, it does not seem like total failure of that part would cause the entire electrical system to stop working.

My multimeter is showing 12v at the terminals, and the terminals are on the correct posts. Could the safety switch cause this? Are there other things I can do to troubleshoot the electrical system?

Thanks!

 

[AchingBack]

Check your battery's negative cable to see if you have a good ground at the frame. How long does it take your battery to die? How is the tension on your fan belt? Is it turning the alternator?

 

[jighead]

When I replaced the battery, I removed the entire negative cable, cleaned and greased both ends of it before reattaching to the frame. The dying/dead batter is 5 years old and I was getting 2-3 starts out of it before I had to charge it again over the past month. Sitting most of the week, using it on weekends. The belt tension seems fine, but I won't be able to tell if the alternator is turning until I get it turning over again.

I was just under the tractor again trying to get to the safety switch, and it attached to a plate that can't really be moved because the hydro line is in the way.

 

[jighead]

AchingBack, you were right. I pulled the negative cable again and *really* cleaned the frame and the and wire connector. It wasn't corroded, but there was some grime on there, that when I got shiny metal against shiny metal, it fired right up. Thanks!

 

[AchingBack]

That's good news. Thanks for reporting back.

 

[DavesTractor]

Good call AchingBack!

It's not unusual for folks to call and price a switch or a starter or an alternator. We tell them to clean the cables and inevitably they think we are shining them on, giving them busy work. But other than a worn out old battery or the occasional safety switch, it's almost always the cables. It's sort of funny, the people will call back and we will ask if they checked the cables, and they shine us on "oh yeah, cables are good, cleaned them". We then ask if they removed the cables to clean them, and the answer is usually that they did not.

Anyway, good call.