DK45S cold start problem

[vtnotch]

I have a 2007 DK45S which I bought new and now has just under 900 hours. My mechanic skills don't extend much beyond fluid and filter changes. Until now the tractor has always started great, but it suddenly developed a cold start problem. I have to crank it to the point of nearly killing the battery, sometimes requiring I add my battery booster pack before I can get it to run. All the while it's cranking it's emitting white smoke. Once it fires I have to keep the starter engaged until it will finally run on it's own. The glow plug light works as expected - it glows for a bit and then goes out. I've tried glowing several times before starting, but to no effect. Once the tractor has warmed up, it starts fine and the glow plug light doesn't come on when restarting indicating to me that some temperature sensor is working. Could the glow plugs not be working properly even if the glow indicator light is working normally? All I've done so far to try to remedy the problem is drain the fuel, which looked fine, replaced the fuel filter and added some diesel injector cleaner fuel treatment. No change. Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

[Highgear]

So your fuel supply - do you buy 5 gal at a time or have a tank of it ? Try a different source of fuel ?

 

[Username Taken]

I have a 2007 DK45S which I bought new and now has just under 900 hours. My mechanic skills don't extend much beyond fluid and filter changes. Until now the tractor has always started great, but it suddenly developed a cold start problem. I have to crank it to the point of nearly killing the battery, sometimes requiring I add my battery booster pack before I can get it to run. All the while it's cranking it's emitting white smoke. Once it fires I have to keep the starter engaged until it will finally run on it's own. The glow plug light works as expected - it glows for a bit and then goes out. I've tried glowing several times before starting, but to no effect. Once the tractor has warmed up, it starts fine and the glow plug light doesn't come on when restarting indicating to me that some temperature sensor is working. Could the glow plugs not be working properly even if the glow indicator light is working normally? All I've done so far to try to remedy the problem is drain the fuel, which looked fine, replaced the fuel filter and added some diesel injector cleaner fuel treatment. No change. Any thoughts much appreciated.

Just because the indicator light is working doesn't mean the glow plugs are

Check out this thread

Ck2510 - appeared like glow plugs failed.

Fyi for anyone troubleshooting a difficult to start ck2510 (or I'm sure other models) - my dash would show the glow plug light, it would stay on the typical amount of time, but then turning the key right afterwards the engine would have to turn over a lot before finally stuttering to a start...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Rockbadchild]

I also think you have a problem with your glow plug ... on my tractor the glow plug goes on the same amount of time whether the engine is hot or cold, is your always been that way?

 

[Roadworthy]

Attach a meter to a glow plug. Turn on the ignition to see if the meter gets an indication. This should be about ten volts and will tell whether your glow plugs are actually getting any power. If not you need to determine why. If they are getting power you need to check or replace the glow plugs themselves. I get mine from the NGK website. Like a light bulb, they can eventually fail. A bit of white smoke is common for a cold engine.

 

[vtnotch]

Thanks to all. I'm going to look at the relay and glow plugs tomorrow. I purchased and downloaded a service manual for my DK45S, but it doesn't include the chapter for "Electric System," although it includes everything else. Jeez. Is anyone able to tell me exactly where the glow plug relay is located? Thanks again.

 

[DK35vince]

Years ago my DK 35 had the same symptoms.
Glow plug light came on, but glow plugs were getting no power.
My issue was the glow plug timer controller (mounted on the fire wall)

 

[grsthegreat]

On my 2010 dk45 the glow plug relay is under the hood attached to the firewall. There are 2 relays right next to each other. Also on mine, if i have the headlights on and cycle the glow plugs, the lights dim greatly showing a drawdown. If you try this and lights dont dim, glow plugs arnt working. You should hear the glow plug relay click when switch is engaged. Be advised, sometimes the relays arnt installed the same location as shown in manual. My unit has the glow plug relay next to the fuel shut off relay, and both were mislabeled in manual. Caused some issues during a troubleshooting.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Go past the indicator light on your search. Check if it actually function.

Just like sitting on the side of the road with a transmission that won't go, arguing that the light on the dash says it is in gear ...

 

[vtnotch]

The cold start problem with my tractor was the glow plug system. The tip of the hindmost plug that attaches to the electrical system was rusted/corroded so badly that when I tried to remove the connection wire the tip of the glow plug snapped off. Using a multimeter I determined that there was voltage at that connection wire, but since that connection provides current to all the plugs, none were working. I don't know why that plug tip and connection was so rusty as the tractor has always been housed and is generally clean and rust free. Also, and as noted by others, even though the dash light was working normally, the plugs weren't working. Replacing the plug and cleaning the electrical connection solved the issue. My tractor now starts great. 20 degrees here this morning and after glowing it started instantly like always. I much appreciate everyone's help. I wouldn't have accomplished the repair without you. What a great resource!