990 battery failure?

[jrdellaratta]

Funny thing happened Saturday: my 990 would not start, even though I used it heavily the weekend before, and she still has only 80 hours on it. I had lights, accessories, etc., but it wouldn't even crank. So I hook up my charger/quick-starter, with zero results. Then I check all my electrical connections, battery water levels, gear neutrality, etc. and no soap. So as a last ditch effort, I pull my truck in to the garage, and attach the jumper cables. Starts right up, strongly, like it was just toying with me.

Now, I remembr seeing a thread a few months back about bad batteries in the 990, but it's prompt start-up seems to rule that out.

Does anyone have a decent explanation for what went wrong? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[RandyK]

I had the same problem with my 790. It was the negative battery cable end that connects to the battery. I didn't even have lights on the dash when I turned the key on. I just bumped the cable and the end broke off. Check the battery cables, and see what you find. My battery compartment is a mess and my tractor only has 175 hours. Everything is corroded. How is yours holding up?

Randy

 

[zuiko]

This all makes me wonder if I should swap out my battery. I hate to replace a perfectly good battery but if it is going to corrode the battery compartment and possibly the radiator I would sure like to replace it. I wonder if a regular Wal-Mart battery would make any difference or if I would have to go with one of those really expensive Optimas to get any benefit.

 

[RobS]

Common problem with the 790. I replaced my battery and cable ends last winter and haven't had a problem since /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This all makes me wonder if I should swap out my battery. )</font>

Being cautious is one thing. But to swap out a battery just because someone else had a problem is something altogether different.

Don't get me wrong. You need to check all of the cables and the battery case very closely. Especially where the others have mentioned they had a problem.

But if you don't find anything wrong, why spend the money and change it out? Just keep a close eye on it. Make it part of your inspection before you use your tractor each time. You do inspect everything BEFORE you use it, don't you? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I'm all for being careful and properly maintaining my equipment. But I don't think I want to spend any extra money if I don't have to. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just my $0.02.

 

[jrdellaratta]

As for corrosion, I had (on Saturday) roughly what would amount to 2 tbsp. of white powder along the front edge of the battery itself, which I brushed away. The battery terminals (althoug hard to reach with my cables) seem fine.

Since I recall hearing something about corrosion being a probelm with the 990's stock battery, I've watched the entire area pretty carefully. (Also, I try and be religious about sweeping away the dust and clippings from the cowling after each cutting op). This means the powder showed up in about 6 days' time. The tray is still fine, but at only 80 hours, I'm annoyed that I even have to worry about this.

 

[zuiko]

I'm just concerned because there has been so many 4xxx posts about the OEM batteries spewing corrosive gasses. This is the first I've heard of it from the 90 series. Not sure if the battery they come with is any different.

 

[Golfgar4]

Please, don't get me wrong. I'd be concerned too.

But rather than just go out and put in a new battery, I'd first make sure that there was a legitimate reason to do that.

I trust all of the information that has been posted. But that doesn't automatically mean that your battery is going to have a problem.

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

Not sure what's going on with your machine. I had to clean the terminals on my 990 last month. They had corroded bad enough that I replaced the positive terminal.

The battery seems to operate fine - No problems like you're describing. I did liberally apply the anti-corrosion spray (red stuff in a spray can), and clean the compartment out real well.

Did you measure the battery voltage ?? It may be possible that the battery would run the lights, but not have enough current to drive the starter and solenoid. Or is your problem related to the safety switch ??

I have had batteries in the past that would play the jekyll/hyde game. They work one minute and then they don't. Usually a shorted cell or bad plate will cause this. Vibration and banging around are hard on a battery. The tractor and light truck batteries have heavier plates to deal with this.

Good Luck

John

 

[yellowsocks93]

Zuiko,

Last week we got a 790 in so it was my job to prep the battery area in fornt of the radiator then give it a repaint because it was so badly rusted. The battery was not defective, but rather a couple of the battery caps were not screwed on real tight.

I replaced my JD battery (original) under warranty with another type of JD battery for free. My 990 came with 2 large caps so I replaced it with the same battery made for our JD 970 with the 6 individual caps and no signs of leaks. I saw white acid around the battery on top so I was safe than sorry before it turned out like this 790. I check mine every week for signs of problems but both the JD Strongbox batteries in the 990 and 970 are fine with no leaks.