BX1800 wont start

[skenderbeg]

Well my wife thought she knew how to attach a bettery but connected the terminals backwards (pos to neg, neg to pos). Naturally she had some problems trying to start it up. When I got home I checked all the fuses next to the battery and the 30A "slow blow" and none were blown. So I tried starting it up and the lights came on, the glow plugs lit up, but then when I tried cranking it on all the way I got a loud click noise then nothing happened. I thought for sure this was the starter. I bought a new one and the same thing happened. Now I'm not sure what to do short of ripping the covering off all the wires to find a burn out somewhere.

Any Ideas?

 

[RayCo]

The clicking you describe sounds to me like you just need to charge the battery. Did you try that, or try jump-starting the tractor?

I hope this isn't like when my brother removed a dimmer from his bedroom wall and replaced it with a new one only to find the light still wouldn't turn on. Then he changed the bulb.

 

[Dyer retired]

I got the same thing with my BX 1800 a few times this winter and the battery needed to be charged. I was running too many lights and not getting enough charge from the Dynamo. It acted the same way yours is. Next winter I'll have a higher output alternator on board, but in the meantime I have it on a battery maintenance system. Let us know what you find. Dyer, retired

 

[skenderbeg]

Yeah, I've tried jump starting it and I've tried a couple different batteries. I'm wondering if the solenoid is clicking, but not able to give enough voltage to the starter? Also where is the solenoid on this thing, is it integrated into the starter assembly?

Thanks

 

[Dyer retired]

Yeah, I've tried jump starting it and I've tried a couple different batteries. I'm wondering if the solenoid is clicking, but not able to give enough voltage to the starter? Also where is the solenoid on this thing, is it integrated into the starter assembly?

Thanks

skenderbeg,

The solenoid is on the starter, closest to the right side cowling on the front of the engine. I read some other posts on this issue and several people suggested trying to start the engine with all the lights on. If nothing happens, like yours is doing, and the lights dim, it's probably the starter solenoid...according to the posts. Unfortunately, there was one post that described the same issue you are having, the same solutions were tried (jumping the battery, replacing the battery, tightening all the cables, checking for loose or disconnected wires, etc.) and this person finally gave up and called the dealer. He later posted that the problem was taken care of at the dealer, thanked everyone for their input, and did not say what the dealer determined the problem to be, so not very helpful.

Don't give up, I suspect that the issue is not serious if you haven't experienced that smell of burning plastic or seen any smoke when trying to start your rig. I know this sounds very elementary, but here is my story. I was in my boat last summer and my wife and I stopped in the middle of the lake to eat a sandwich. When I went to start the boat.....nothing. I tried everything with the battery....it was getting juice to the lights, etc. I ended up getting towed back at some expense. When I got home, I jiggled the throttle, which was in neutral, and heard a click. It then started right up, of course. I was absolutely convinced it was in neutral on the water, it was in the neutral position, but clearly I had not checked the most basic solution and it was a hair out of neutral. I had a similar issue with the Kubota last winter and was just about to call the dealer (who has a handy charge for picking up and delivering back the tractor....before they even look at it, so it really has to be bad before I call) and looked down to see the pto lever engaged. The inference, of course, is to make sure you check those things also and please don't be offended at the suggestion.

I'm interested in finding out what you ultimately determine to be the problem. Good luck. Dyer, retired

 

[skenderbeg]

Thanks Dyer. Idefinately feel as though I'm in the same situation, there has got to be something that I'm overlooking. I'm just too close to give up and call in the dealer (who also has a pricey delivery charge). Meanwhile the grass is growing and my wife is getting antsy. I'll definately let you guys know what I find out when its fixed.

 

[skenderbeg]

WELL, I figured it out! Yep it was definately something simple. The sproket of the starter motor that fits into the larger gear of the engine was out of alignment. So the clang that I heard was the starter spindle popping out and hitting the engine gear. I'm sure when the old lady tried to start it with the terminals reversed it popped the spindle back and spun it just enough to pop it out of alignment. Lesson learned and money saved. Pobably a good thing to remember for anyone else running into this problem.

Thanks to Dyer and RayCo for the words of advice. It pays to systematically go through and investigate everything.

 

[Dyer retired]

Congratulations! It sure is fun to find a problem and fix it without getting the dealer mixed up in it. Glad you have your tractor back to normal. Dyer, retired