BX2200 starting problem

[lawviejo]

Help anyone? Please? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I have a 3 year old BX2200 w/ FEL and approx 450 hrs. I have experienced the usual problems w/ fuel tank, fuel guage sending unit seal, steering failure, etc., all of which were repaired under warranty

I spent almost a full day using the FEL to dig holes, uproot bushes, etc and must admit put the BX under heavy load, but no problems other than noticeable black smaoke during heavy load times.

Next day I used the BX to mow w/o problems and after about 2 hours stopped to take a break. The BX then would not restart, although it was firing, on the first 3-4 attempts. Then it started and I parked it, cut it off and restarted it a few times w/o problem, though the engine seemed to shake a bit more than usually when I cut it off.

The day after that it would not start as before, although it appeared to have combustion (black smoke, not white). And if I kept the starter engaged the engine would run for several seconds but only while I kept the key turned and the started was engaged. The more throttle I gave it the stronger the engine ran. If throttle at idle position, black smoke. As throttle increased, no smoke. (I used this method to raise and lower the mower deck so I could remove it to change the rear fuel filter.)

I have replaced both fuel filters, the air filter, the oil and oil filter, checked that the fuel pump was working, checked the fuses located under the dash area, cracked the lines at the injectors and saw fuel (did one at a time), and check wiring to fuel solenoid (but did not check w/ ohmeter).

Of note, glow plug light on dash comes on when key turned to the glow plug position, but not when key turned to first position and the clock like click (not the fast fuel pump noise) occurs. I can't remeber if the glow plug light used to come on and go off with each click but if it did, it is not doing it now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I certainly hope this is not an injector pump failure or timing gear or timing problem. I've already had my share of problems with this tractor but I still like it. This may change my mind..... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Thanks!

 

[HomeBrew2]

Sorry I don't have an answer for you ... just wondered if you tried the search function on this site cuz there's been several posts about 'botas not starting in the past.

 

[lawviejo]

That's OK, and thanks. But to answer your question, yes I have searched but couldn't find an answer to my problem. That's why I posted what I have already done to try to solve it based on past suggestions to similar, but not the same, starting issues.

 

[Jimbrown]

If it runs in the start position with the starter engaged but not in the run position I would suspect the wire between the switch and the shut off selonoid or perhaps a bad selonoid or switch.

 

[lawviejo]

Jimbrown - Thanks very much for identifying possible culprits. I will get the ohmeter out and try to trace based on information in another post in the forum, and let you know what happens. Meanwhile, any other suggestions would be much appreciated before I winch this tractor onto the trailer and cart it off to the dealer once again if the wir or switch or solenoid are not the problem.

 

[lawviejo]

UPDATE!! PROBLEM SOLVED!!

First, thanks to Jimbrown, Volfandt, Techman, Junkman, and HomeBrew2 for their posts on this discussion forum. The advice, suggestions, and especially the links to the BX WSM (thanks to gsxr1100 for the manual!) and parts list, were extremely helpful.

The problem was the engine stop solenoid. Although the solenoid plunger activated and was attracted as it should in the ignition switch "start" position, it failed to remain held while under power in the ignition switch "on" position - this was the reason the tractor would run OK but only with the starter engaged.

The WSM describes the procedure for checking the solenoid. There are two checks: one tests that the plunger attracts (12V power to white and negative to black and plunger should attract) and the other that it is held attracted (12V power to red, negative to black, depress the plunger and it should stay held). Failure of either or both is a solenoid failure.

A couple of things I learned that might be helpful:

1. Before removing solenoid you need to check for power to it thru both the red AND white wires. Disconnect the solenoid power connector and on the switch side check for power in the red wire while the ignition switch is in the "on" position and check for power on the white wire while holding the ignition switch in the "start" position.

2. There are 2 different engine stop solenoids so you will need the ENGINE s/n (not the tractor s/n) when checking if it is in stock at your dealer. I would suggest copying the numbers from the one you remove and make sure they match the one you get.

3. If you do have to remove the solenoid be careful not to damage the thin gasket. Better yet, order one seperately from the new solenoid as it doesn't come with it.

Thanks again for the posts.