DK-40 Starting issues

[tkh159]

Good fully charged Battery, if that is the static battery voltage. Charging voltage should be about 14.1 or so after a startup, slowly tapering off as the battery comes to a full charge. Usually around 13.8 to 13.9 .

In cold weather hitting the glow plugs will drag it down to 10.something depending on how cold and how good your battery is. But as soon as it starts it should go to about 14.1 or 14.2 or so

Is it a safe assumption if the battery is charging around 14 volt +/- that the alternator is functioning properly?

 

[k0ua]

Is it a safe assumption if the battery is charging around 14 volt +/- that the alternator is functioning properly?

Yes, Alternator and its built in regulator.

 

[ritcheyvs]

James is correct. With the key switch off, there should be ZERO current from the battery and certainly no spark. ...

I need correct this statement since we now know you have the older version with the stop solenoid on the right side. It is possible that the timer relay (and stop solenoid) might draw current briefly and arc when you observed the arc. I don't have experience with that version so I only say possible.

 

[tkh159]

I need correct this statement since we now know you have the older version with the stop solenoid on the right side. It is possible that the timer relay (and stop solenoid) might draw current briefly and arc when you observed the arc. I don't have experience with that version so I only say possible.

Could the timer relay and stop solenoid be flawed in such a way they could be stuck in an open position?

Correct me if I'm wrong the stop solenoid disengages about 15 seconds after the tractor is shut off?

Reason I ask is that it always clicks when I shut the tractor off.

Secondly I have my finger on the timer relay and I feel a movement or click at the same time the stop solenoid disengages. Is that the purpose of the timer relay?

 

[tkh159]

Got home with a little daylight left.

Battery results are 12.71

Tractor fully turned over ran until I turned it off with the key after 15 mins.

During this time I had the multimeter on and got a stable reading of 14.50 volts

Turned it off and let set five minutes and got another battey reading of 12.82

A false happiness....

 

[Coyote machine]

Got home with a little daylight left.

Battery results are 12.71

Tractor fully turned over ran until I turned it off with the key after 15 mins.

During this time I had the multimeter on and got a stable reading of 14.50 volts

Turned it off and let set five minutes and got another battey reading of 12.82

A false happiness....

NOT a negative result, once the tractor is shut off the battery voltage will reflect what it actually is at, NOT what the alternator and voltage regulator were returning to the discharged battery.
Don't begin replacing relays or solenoids/starters etc. as already stated, until we have repeatable, logically deduced results from actual troubleshooting instead of just WAGes.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Could the timer relay and stop solenoid be flawed in such a way they could be stuck in an open position?

Correct me if I'm wrong the stop solenoid disengages about 15 seconds after the tractor is shut off?

Reason I ask is that it always clicks when I shut the tractor off.

Secondly I have my finger on the timer relay and I feel a movement or click at the same time the stop solenoid disengages. Is that the purpose of the timer relay?

I have not heard of any timer relay failures. so I'd just be guessing about likely failure modes.

What you describe is the proper operation of your-style stop relay: when the key is turned to off, the relay powers the solenoid for several seconds (15 sounds about right), long enough to be sure the engine is stopped. It's just like you pushing the manual stop lever.

Also, the voltages you just reported (12.7 and 14.5) are typical of a properly operating battery and alternator.

I guess you'll just have to wait for the problem to return. So be prepared to check the battery voltage at the terminals (with a meter) when it recurs. You have two hypotheses: (a) it won't start because the battery is dead or (b) it won't start because a battery cable is bad. So be prepared to check these out. If neither is true we'll try something else.

 

[JoelD]

I had very similar initial problem as you you may have come across my post. In the end all it was was the negative terminal connection to the frame was corroded. I cleaned up, installed new battery and all has bee. Good for a number of years. Not clear based on posts if you gave all connections between battery and tractor a good going over?

Seems like other than ignition switches and grounds there's not too many electrical issues with the kioti's

Good luck sound alike it may have sorted

Joel

 

[Looking4new]

Anywhere I have an electrical connection, whether it be ground/positive I use a bit of dielectric grease on them. It can be got at any decent automotive store and it is relatively cheap.
I also use it on the legs of my 110V plugs for the block heaters.

 

[tkh159]

Yeah, wish I could say what the problem is to aid others in this disaster.

The tractor is 10 years old and one relay i did replace is the pto relay. It was a KIA relay???????? Thought it wouldn't hurt to replace it. I almost most to replace other inexpensive and easy to access relays and eletrical parts.

Any ways the "stop solenoid" (not sure of correct term) on the right hand side of the tractor engaged every time the key was turned to the "ON" position I repeated this step multiple times without cranking the tractor as I was testing the solenoid. Each time I also let it disengage which of course meant taking the key out. Thought maybe it was getting stuck and some how the timer relay was draining the battery?