7205 Diesel Cub Cadet won't start

Framloe460 · Jun 22, 2010

Need some help...My mother's 2001 7205 diesel Cub Cadet (hydrostatic controls) won't start. A week ago my Mom went out to start the tractor and the ignition made a loud click so she turned the key off and then back on again and it fired right up. She didn't have any problems until day before yesterday. The tractor started up and she drove it between the windrows when I was cutting hay then she parked it temporarily near the field. When she went back to start it, the glow plug indicator light came on and made the usual humming sound (purring, actually) then clicked off, but the starter wouldn't engage when she turned the key. Not even a click. Tractor was in Neutral.

The battery is not quite a year old and is fully charged. I replaced the 50 and 60 amp in line fuses with new ones, checked the fuse box for shorted fuses, and everything was okay but same problem--after the glow plug light went out and turning the key, nothing. The headlamps work, but only the right side of the hazard lights blinks. The key switch and left hazard light don't work. I didn't think to check if anything on the instrument panel was working. Last March, 2009, I replaced all three glow plugs, relay switch, and another switch and both in-line fuses when it cranked white smoke and wouldn't start--someone here posted pictures and information when they had the same problem--thank you!

I have not attempted to try to start the tractor with direct contact from the battery to the starter. I'm not ready to trouble shoot by trial and error. Don't want to mess it up and have to call the dealer to pick it up. I'm hoping someone here may have had the same problem or know what's the matter and have some advice and tips.

Thank you all for reading through this...
Fran

OldMachinist · Jun 22, 2010

It could be something as simple as one of the safety switches(neutral and two on the PTO).

Check the battery cable connections on both ends. Could be a bad ground.

Next check to see if you are getting 12v+ to the start terminal on the starter when you turn the key to start.

jnelson · Jun 24, 2010

Old Machinist is referring to a common problem with Cubs (also have read about it with other brands of CUTs such as JD) where the safety switch circuit either does not complete contact to energize the starter solenoid or creates enough of a voltage drop that again the starter solenoid will not energize.

Go to this thread and read down through it http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/cub-cadet/157287-cub-cadet-6284-power-take.html. As you get near the bottom you will see information about a modification that I read about and performed on my 6284. It made a world of difference in starting for me - particularly in cold weather. Others have reported the same.

Good luck!

JN

Framloe460 · Jul 24, 2010

Thank you for responding to my Cub Cadet problem. I intended to post sooner but between losing my sanity...I mean, my notebook with my passwords, and work and trying to pay bills I haven't been able to explain my solution to my "tractor won't start" plea for help.
Armed with notes from this thread and print outs from the links and new parts, I went out two weeks ago to fix the tractor. I misplaced the key so my mother got her spare key when we went out to test the alternator.
I really dreaded messing with the electrical system so I thought maybe the Gremlins had left to annoy the neighbor and it would start. It did! And frightened us awfully when it fired up, we weren't expecting it to start.
I found the other key and it is worn but I can't tell any significant difference but it just slides to the right and theres no click connection in the switch. So, it was just that we needed a new key.
I'm going to order spares of keys and a new key switch just in case. Anyway, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for the help. I did make notes and copies of the posts and information in the links just in case I ever have problems with the juice flow problem to the alternator. Thanks again!
Fran