770 John Deere

Rosati68 · Jul 21, 2025

my 770 was working great, shut it off, went to start it and the selonoid just clicked. No start. Replaced battery as it was old, same results?
Replaced starter, just clicked again, now no lights.
Battery power to starter and to ignition, but when turning the key my test light goes dim?
I am at a loss so any help would be greatly appreciated

Harry in Ky · Jul 21, 2025

At a loss? Classic case of bad battery cable and/or connection problems. Revisit all of them. Ground cable as well, both ends.

Fuddyduddy1952 · Jul 22, 2025

Don't assume new=good nowadays. I ordered an expensive Optima Red Top for my F150 last summer. It lasted a week or so, ordered another and it's been perfect since.
Get a multimeter if you don't have one.
1) voltage across battery?__________
2) voltage across battery cranking?_________
3) voltage battery negative to a good ground? Should be zero.
4) voltage battery negative to ground cranking? Should be zero or very close to zero.
5) voltage battery positive to starter while cranking? Should be zero or close.

A new good charged battery, engine off should be 12.6 to 12.7.________
Engine running should be at least 13.5 to about 14.5

Harbor Freight sells a handy battery load tester that tells a lot. My "new" truck Optima load test showed bad. I'd charge battery and it was as high as 12.1V

...load test down to red zone...no good.

Rosati68 · Jul 22, 2025

Fuddyduddy1952 said:
Don't assume new=good nowadays. I ordered an expensive Optima Red Top for my F150 last summer. It lasted a week or so, ordered another and it's been perfect since.
Get a multimeter if you don't have one.
1) voltage across battery?__________
2) voltage across battery cranking?_________
3) voltage battery negative to a good ground? Should be zero.
4) voltage battery negative to ground cranking? Should be zero or very close to zero.
5) voltage battery positive to starter while cranking? Should be zero or close.

A new good charged battery, engine off should be 12.6 to 12.7.________
Engine running should be at least 13.5 to about 14.5

Harbor Freight sells a handy battery load tester that tells a lot. My "new" truck Optima load test showed bad. I'd charge battery and it was as high as 12.1V ...load test down to red zone...no good.

I will start there, stay tuned.