Ground wire?

[Laneman]

The photo definitely looks like an oil sender and wire. This will not keep the tractor from starting. Most common things that keep a diesel from starting: Clog in fuel line, usually at one of the filters, air in fuel (did you run it out of fuel?), water in fuel, weak battery (engine must crank fast for a diesel to start). Shine a bright light inside your fuel tank and look for debris near the fuel line fitting. Sometimes debris can clog the line.

 

[irvingj]

Ditto; my first thought was a sending unit wire as well.

 

[TCJatko]

Looks an oil pressure sending unit wire to me. If the tractor has a low oil pressure shutoff function, it definitely won't start. Hook it up.:thumbsup:

 

[Whittslittlebitfarm]

Wow! Thanks for all of the responses guys! I decided to go with the easiest fix first and buy a new battery. While I was at TSC, I went ahead and bought a new ignition switch also. The switch that was in the tractor when I purchased it wasn't the correct switch so I decided to go ahead and replace it. After putting the switch in and swapping out the battery, the old beast fired right up. So, I'm guessing it was the battery.

So, I'm back up and running! Or at least I was until the fan belt broke today. No worries there, I ran into town and picked up another one. I am once again, back up and running.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[rambler]

Ah, you _are_ sounding like a farmer - 3 parts runs and not much work done. That _is_ farming.

---Paul

 

[toddol1971]

did you put the wire on? I'd bet my life its an oil sending unit. get a screw and put it on. You dont have oil pressure gauge do you? put a light from it to ground.