Emergency help!!!

[ICGREEN]

I'm really a green guy so it's a little awkward having to post in a blue forum but this is really important My brother in law is in Zimbabway on a mission trip and it seems the locals have a TZ 25 DA tractor. The battery is good but there are to lights or anything. Starter doesn't work. Just like no power at all. He sent me a text message hoping I had some resources that could help. Understand these people have nothing at all. Virtually no resources and no way to get their single most important possession working unless he is able to get it going. He is going to call in about 5 hours and it will be my only chance to help. He is a pastor with limited mechanical experience so keep the suggestions simple if possible. I'm going to a dealer to ask but will be back on the forum in a couple of hours to check.
Thanks a million

 

[J_J]

To check if the battery will start the engine, touch a heavy jumper to the battery plus terminal and touch the other end to the starter large lug. You can also touch the start terminal on the start solenoid, and see if the start solenoid will operate correctly. .

 

[Egon]

I am not familiar with the tractor but would suggest all fuses, safety devices and connections for the battery and its grounding cables be checked. I know this is very generic and may not help but it may be a start. Also double check that the battery is good.

Perhaps the best bet would be to acquire an operators manual.

 

[tommu56]

as JJ said tractor in N jump around starter to see if it turns over.

remove one fuse at a time and see if you can see it open and put it back in do the next (don't pull them all at once I've seen that done) because of different amperage's make sure it go's back in same place it came out.

for the novice a test lamp would be good.
A couple pieces of insulated scrap wire and a turn signal bulb (even the tractor head lamp if that's all you have) and a spare set of hands to hold wires on the base.

test from + to - on battery post then on terminals (dirty post connection)

test from the frame to the + on battery (assuming n ground) light?

test from battery side of starter solenoid to ground with test lamp

turn to run does fuel pump click (if its electric) hour meter run?

turn key to start go to the S terminal on solenoid with the lamp

make sure some one is sitting on seat, pto is disengaged,and trans in neutral and any other safety stuff is in start mode

check the starter side of solenoid with key in start position with test lamp.

check starter terminal with the lamp again key in start position

tom

 

[justatractorguy]

With no lights coming on at all with a known good battery I would first check the 40 amp main fuse that should be on the left side of the engine near the starter.

Just to run through other electrical issues he could check if the giant fuse is still intact so you can throw all of this at him when you get a chance to talk to him:

There are also three ground locations that would be good to check: 1. The battery ground at the right front motor mount. 2. Top front of the engine at the bracket that holds the air filter box and 3. Left side of the steering column mount.

The regular fuse block is at the top left of the engine near the radiator. Fuse #1 is 15A and protects the hazards and horn, #2 is 20A and protects the alternator, charging circuit, headlights and taillights, #3 is 25A and protects the instrument panel, turn signals, safety start circuit, fuel pump and cruise control, and #4 is 5A and protects the safety controller and brake switch.

Don't worry, man, we won't tell your green buddies that you're slumming around down here...

 

[RoyK]

First make sure the battery cable clamps are tight on the battery posts. They should not move if you try twisting them. If the battery is good, as you say, and the cables are tight, I would suspect a blown main fuse or fusible link. Fuses can be easily bypassed, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone. I've done it myself on rare occasions, but I am knowledgeable in what to watch out for and I can fix it if something goes wrong.

 

[ICGREEN]

Thanks for the responses. I'll pass them along. Amazing how you can help someone half a world away.

 

[dqdave1]

My first guess would be the main fuse by the starter; second guess would be a pto safety issue with a wire that has come off down by the left rear side ; easiest to look from rear side between rear tire and fender; make sure all wires are connected to all switches; noted for being pulled loose.

 

[jimmysisson]

So are they running?

 

[The Haymaker]

With no lights coming on at all with a known good battery I would first check the 40 amp main fuse that should be on the left side of the engine near the starter.

What he said......