HobbleCreek
Silver Member
The short version:
When I turn the key on my 4720, the dashboard lights flash. Same thing happens if I try to turn on the lights. Nothing else happens. Any suggestions on how to diagnose this problem?
The long version, or, how I probably caused this problem:
The tractor started fine Saturday morning. I drove it across the yard to a spot near the hose bib where I filled up a water tank carried by my front end loader. When I went to start the tractor back up to haul the water to my horses, it would not start. Instead, I got a clicking sound. Although I was confident the problem was not the battery, I tried to jump start it using a portable jump starting device. No luck. I tested the battery and had about 12 volts at the battery. The positive terminal was, however, fairly corroded. I cleaned it with a solution of baking soda and water. No change.
I tested to see that I was getting power to the starter. I was. To test whether I had power coming from the ignition switch, I removed the wire that (I believe) comes from that switch. There was no power there until my daughter turned the key, at which point there was power. All signs pointed to a bad starter.
Because it was the Saturday before Easter, the local John Deere dealer was closed. I decided to put a charger on the tractor to make sure the battery was fully charged in light of the unsuccessful attempts I had made at starting it. I left the charger on and went to the in-laws for some Easter festivities. When we returned that night the charger was still on and indicated that the battery was fully charged (it's one of those "smart" chargers). I noticed, however, that the key had been left in the "on" position all afternoon. I thought to myself, "Maybe I'll be lucky and it will start." I turned the key. No luck (at least not good). Now I have this problem of the odd dashboard lights flashing.
So what do you think?
When I turn the key on my 4720, the dashboard lights flash. Same thing happens if I try to turn on the lights. Nothing else happens. Any suggestions on how to diagnose this problem?
The long version, or, how I probably caused this problem:
The tractor started fine Saturday morning. I drove it across the yard to a spot near the hose bib where I filled up a water tank carried by my front end loader. When I went to start the tractor back up to haul the water to my horses, it would not start. Instead, I got a clicking sound. Although I was confident the problem was not the battery, I tried to jump start it using a portable jump starting device. No luck. I tested the battery and had about 12 volts at the battery. The positive terminal was, however, fairly corroded. I cleaned it with a solution of baking soda and water. No change.
I tested to see that I was getting power to the starter. I was. To test whether I had power coming from the ignition switch, I removed the wire that (I believe) comes from that switch. There was no power there until my daughter turned the key, at which point there was power. All signs pointed to a bad starter.
Because it was the Saturday before Easter, the local John Deere dealer was closed. I decided to put a charger on the tractor to make sure the battery was fully charged in light of the unsuccessful attempts I had made at starting it. I left the charger on and went to the in-laws for some Easter festivities. When we returned that night the charger was still on and indicated that the battery was fully charged (it's one of those "smart" chargers). I noticed, however, that the key had been left in the "on" position all afternoon. I thought to myself, "Maybe I'll be lucky and it will start." I turned the key. No luck (at least not good). Now I have this problem of the odd dashboard lights flashing.
So what do you think?
