CT122 electrical gremlin

[jonnyc1999]

hmmmm, thanks for the tip k0ua, I'll have to look into it :thumbsup:

 

[8n Bruce]

Hi I'm not real familiar with Bobcat but if it's similar to the older small massey ,my neighbours was acting the same & ended up to be a blown fuse ,because the starter wiring at the side of the engine had rubbed through & shorted out on the block.the fuse was in a holder which was in line ( plastic sheild with wires going in & out ) under the hood just behind the engine. Good Luck Bruce

 

[jonnyc1999]

I'll have to look into that as well, thanks!

 

[jonnyc1999]

well, you guys saved me $300. Thank you!!!! I got home from work and went to hook up the battery to do some more tests, and the positive cable crumbled in my hand!!! I can't believe that such a thing could happen after such a short time, but the clamps are made out of sheetmetal or some other crappy thin material. I'm surprised I didn't notice it the other evening when I took the battery out. I'll be taking the cable back to Bobcat for warranty but I'm not sure I even want to put a new one of the same quality on. I'm thinking of getting a marine cable made up, with tinned wire and high quality ends.

Here is what I'm working with, for those who like pics:

 

[k0ua]

yep, that is what I was talking about. Greenish/whitesh "mung" what ever you get to replace it with. get some of this and coat everything metal on the cable clamp, battery post, and push it into the strands of wire in the cable if possible, and cover any exposed metal part of the cable with a good coating of this stuff, and your problems will never return..

Amazon.com: no-ox-id a-special

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

Here is another possible place to buy it..

Sourcetel Supply - Telecom material supply

 

[jonnyc1999]

Thanks everyone for your help!!! I went to Bobcat today and they wanted $50 for a new positive cable and in order for it to be covered under warranty they needed me to haul my tractor an hour away to them. Instead, I went to the auto parts store and bought a positive cable for $9 and some loom to protect it. I'm happy to say that the tractor started right up!!!

I'm going to order some of that corrosion protectant that k0ua recommended but I think that the lead end will be much sturdier than the cheapo potmetal end that bobcat originally provided!

 

[MoKelly]

My goodness. The Bobcat dealer sure didn't act very helpful on this issue. That is terrible.

MoKelly

 

[gkm]

My goodness. The Bobcat dealer sure didn't act very helpful on this issue. That is terrible.

MoKelly

I agree...I'd be less than happy about this and wouldn't hesitate to give BC corporate a call.

 

[VictorW]

I've used NOCO corrosion spray and those felt pads soaked in the stuff for over 30 years when I learned of it from working in a garage. I've never had cable clamps corrode. Here's a site and amazon sells the stuff to if you buy there. Just something known to work and probably similar to what K0ua mentioned. NCP-2 Battery Corrosoion Preventative - All Battery Sales and Service

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I just had to replace mybattery cable on a 335 last week. Our connectors could have been twins. I am glad you resolved it easily. I found mine when replacing the battery.

 

[PILOON]

In the good ole days mechanics would dab Vaseline on the battery terminals and I see no reason as to why buy $10. modern upgrades when a time proven product suffices.
As I understand the cause it is acid fumes or vapors that cause the corrosion and the product application shields the terminals by providing a vapor shield.
Shucks in a pinch I dab grease that I find around a nearby zerk. O.K. my finger gets dirty but my terminals are not corroded.

Also when servicing a battery or the cables be sure to clean the posts back to shiny lead to assure the best of contacts as lead forms an oxide (kinda black finish).
While special terminal brushes are available, fine steel wool will do a great job as well.

 

[Eric Ridenour]

I first had the same electrical gremlin as jonnyc1999 as as result of the tin battery cable connectors, but now my problem is quite a bit more difficult. Dashboard lights come on, and I can hear the click at the relay when I sit down on the seat and trigger that safety mechanism. However, there is nothing come from the starter. I could still jump the tractor at the starter solenoid, so I replaced the starter solenoid--didn't fix the problem. I replaced the relay switch--no fix. I replaced the ignition switch itself--no fix. I replaced the battery--no fix. The PTO is not engaged. I have checked the safety switch in the seat. I have moved the tractor in out of gear and rocked the hydrostatic forward and and reverse pedal. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[k0ua]

I first had the same electrical gremlin as jonnyc1999 as as result of the tin battery cable connectors, but now my problem is quite a bit more difficult. Dashboard lights come on, and I can hear the click at the relay when I sit down on the seat and trigger that safety mechanism. However, there is nothing come from the starter. I could still jump the tractor at the starter solenoid, so I replaced the starter solenoid--didn't fix the problem. I replaced the relay switch--no fix. I replaced the ignition switch itself--no fix. I replaced the battery--no fix. The PTO is not engaged. I have checked the safety switch in the seat. I have moved the tractor in out of gear and rocked the hydrostatic forward and and reverse pedal. Anybody have any suggestions?

Yes. You have used the "shotgun" to no avail. Now it is time to break out the "rifle". Get a volt-ohm meter and a workshop manual with a circuit diagram and start troubleshooting. If the starter wont spin, find out why. You know it will because you have "jumpered" it. Find out why when you turn the key it does not spin.. Broken,or corroded connections? You have to get scientific with it now, You have tried all the easy "shotgun" approach fixes. None of them fixed it.. The original problem remains. If you cannot read and follow a circuit diagram or understand how to use a VOM, then either enlist the aid of someone who can, or take it to someone who can.. Sorry I cannot be of more help than this. And I know I am not telling you anything you don't already know, but this is pretty much the way it is.

James K0UA

 

[Eric Ridenour]

James,

Thanks. Ya, I have probably spent more in parts that were perfectly fine than I would have spent if I just would have called my mechanic from the get-go. I will try to remember to post what the problem was once a real mechanic traces the problem.