Century 3035 Electrical Issue

[CEN3035]

My 3035 will not start, I shut it down to adjust the Forward / Reverse Lever as it didn't always go into forward properly. I made the adjustment and went to start it and I had nothing when I turned the key. Had a similar problem a while ago, mechanic that looked at it thought it was the Clutch Safety Switch, he messed with the original and got it working. I had purchased a replacement, so I put that on, no luck. Just went out o mess with it, still nothing when I turned the key. Put the hazard lights on, nothing turned them off then on again and they started working. I could hear some electrical noise when the lighs would turn on, could not pinpoint location, but near the Clutch Switch. Turned the key and everything lit up, glow plugs were heating, etc. After glow plug light went out, I tried to start it and nothing again. Turned key off and then on again nothing. It is raining now, and it is outside so will have to wait until tomorrow to investigate further. Anyone have any words of wisdom as to where to start looking first and what might the electrical noise be, it kind of sounded like arcing, but I don't think that it was. If the rain stops tonight, I am going to see if I can repeat the electrical noise issue to see if I am able to see any arcing in the dark. My guess is that it is a switch making intermittent contact and that is the noise, but just a guess right now.

 

[K5lwq]

I would start at the battery and make sure cable ends are clean and tight. Then follow the ground wire and check the connection to the frame.

If all that checks out, I would look closely at the neutral switch. Possibly making the adjustments put the switch in a position that it is not satisfying the safety circuit.

 

[CEN3035]

I should have mentioned that I loosened the F/R lever to assure that I did not have the neutral switch open. The noise sounds like a piezo buzzer. I will work on your suggestions tomorrow and hopefully don't set off any fireworks in the process.

 

[CEN3035]

Some additional info.: I discovered that the wires from the brake light sensors had been chewed on by mice and the copper was exposed. That may have been the source of the buzzing noise as after I separated the wires that appears to have stopped. Started raining again, so I can't say for certain that the buzzing noise is gone. After addressing the brake light sensors, when I turn the key, I consistently get the dash lights to turn on and the glow plug heater, and fuel solenoid to work. When I try to start it now I just get a singular click most times. The brake light sensor wires issue leads me to believe that there are probably other wires that have been chewed and may be part of my problem. I have not found any additional chewed wires yet. Could it be two issues, the chewed wires and a bad starter? Any easy way to determine if the starter is OK or not?

 

[K5lwq]

You can use a jumper wire from where the battery cable connects to the starter to where the small wire is connected on the back of the solenoid. I unplug the small wire and just touch the jumper to the spade of the solenoid. Make sure it is in neutral and brake is set as this will bypass all of the safety switches.

Chewed wires is not a good sign as there definitely could be more. I still would check the battery connections real good as that is normally the problem with no crank issues.

Edit: Just realized we have not even determined the battery is good. At least check voltage of the battery with a volt meter. Load testing is the correct way but knowing voltage is better than nothing.

 

[CEN3035]

Thanks K5lwq, it was in fact a bad connection. I overlooked it the first time I checked. I went ahead and took the time to clean up all of the starter connections starting at the battery terminals, so hopefully this issue is put to bed for a while.

 

[K5lwq]

Glad to hear you are back up and running.

 

[oosik]

I had - basically - same problem with my M6040. Cleaned up the battery terminals - all is now well.

Glad to hear you running again. I know - it's a real relief.