Help please - L2850 is dead!

[Duckguy]

Hi Everyone,

I'd appreciate any help or advice on my situation. I'm an OK mechanic (or so I thought), but electrical problems drive me nuts. And it appears that's what I have here.

Our work tractor is a 2003 Kubota L2850. It's always been a decent tractor, but last time we went to start it, it cranked over but didn't fire right away, backed off the key, then turned it and NOTHING. Just dead. No dash lights, no head lights, tail lights, hazards, nothing. For about 2 seconds the hazards came on then quit. We've had some battery problems in the past, so we threw a new battery in it for the heck of it and new negative cable (old one was worn). Still nothing.

The fuse panel up by the radiator has no blown fuses and conductivity checks out on all of them. The fuse box is also getting power according to my multimeter. I've tried to trace power from the battery throughout and I'm utterly confused. It goes to the key, you turn the key and it goes out the way it should, but I have no lights on the dash, no head tail, etc. lights, won't crank, just nothing.

It seemed like it could be some kinda disabling safety switch, but I can't find it if there is one. The clutch switch seems to work...power comes out the other side when compressed. Is there one in the seat? We can't seem to find it if there is, and I didn't think that explained the lack of even dash lights.

So, what other things specifically might cause this complete loss of electrical? I don't have a wiring diagram so I'm at a bit of a loss at this point. I can't help but think this is probably something simple.

Thank you in advance!

Josh

 

[texasjohn]

I think your idea of a safety switch being thrown is right... however, I am not familar with your tractor so cannot give specific help. If it were my tactor, I'd make sure that the seat safety switch was not thrown.

 

[Bob_Young]

Don't know what the L2850 has for a transmission, Josh, but make sure all levers are in neutral and maybe fiddle with them a bit and retry even if they are. Could be it thinks it's in gear.

Also could be that the ignition switch itself is the problem. Lack of any dash lights seems to point in that direction.
FWIW

 

[pdowling1]

Fusible like blown, perhaps?

 

[Duckguy]

Thanks for all the advice thus far! I have indeed messed with the shift levers multiple times, but to no avail. Unfortunately, I can't find where the neutral safety switch is or connects to the harness. Same with the seat, but maybe I'll pull it out and take a closer look.

Regarding a fuseable link - I'll take a closer look. I didn't find one the other day, but I didn't look as hard as I'd have liked.

Does anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram for this that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg.

Thanks again for the help thus far, and any further suggestions also appreciated.

Josh

 

[ChuckinNH]

If there is a clutch, there may be a safety interlock on it. There could also be a bent switch on the transmission linkage where it enters the transmission, one other member recently had that problem. Are there implements attached? I had a safety interlock switch go on a MMM once, and didn't find it first. :embarrased: Just some things to toss out there.

 

[wushaw]

03 wouldn't have a seat switch.

With the problems you stated I would look at the key switch since you are not getting any dash lights.
If it was a saftey switch you would still get dash lights, headlights, turn signals.

 

[GaryE]

Josh,

If it did not "fire" the first time and now it won't crank, it could be a bad ground or positive connection. If you would post your location I am sure a member in your area might be able to help you or at least steer you to some one who can.

 

[Egon]

Check the ground connection to the tractor.

 

[ccsial]

Check to see if there is a main fuse that is not located in the fuse panel.

 

[crbr]

If applicable (L2850???), rock your hydrostatic pedal back and forth and allow it to find it's neutral spot. Move the pedal with your foot through the full range of motion and see if you can place the pedal in it's sweet spot (neutral).

Also tap the pedal to allow it to return to its safety switch's neutral position on it's own.

 

[Duckguy]

Thanks for all the good suggestions. I will try to check all of these out early this week.

FYI, I'm in Havana, Illinois, which is about half-way between Peoria and Springfield on the Illinois River.

Thanks again and keep it coming!

Josh

 

[crbr]

Thanks for all the good suggestions. I will try to check all of these out early this week.

FYI, I'm in Havana, Illinois, which is about half-way between Peoria and Springfield on the Illinois River.

Thanks again and keep it coming!

Josh

I spent 13 winters in Bloomington, IL. I am back in my home state now. Better you than me.

You never did say what model is the L2850 for transmission reference. Gear or hydro?

 

[dfkrug]

If it is indeed an L2850, then it was built about 1985-1990 and did
not have HST available. Clutch safety switch only. If it is really a
2003 model, then I think you meant L2800 and HST WAS available.

 

[B2400]

Duckguy,
We've got an older L2850 at work that's had the ignition switch replaced a couple of times for reasons similar to yours. I'd start down by the starter and start tracing your hot lead from there to find where it dies at but it's possible that it is the switch. BTW I'm just north of you up here in Galesburg!!!!

 

[vettemanwight]

We recently painted our work tractor NH 1520 took it all apart fenders seat tires and wheels. Just me and the guy working with me. Painted it and re assembled it. Went to start it ....nothing.... Now im not the best mechanic but am fairly knowledgeable. Called the dealer for ideas, so I did as my uncle says if you cant figure it out sit back and look at it. Well as it was the MMM lever got engaged as we were painting it, never even thought about that because we NEVER use it. So what Im saying is sit back and look at it . V

 

[vettemanwight]

We recently painted our work tractor NH 1520 took it all apart fenders seat tires and wheels. Just me and the guy working with me. Painted it and re assembled it. Went to start it ....nothing.... Now im not the best mechanic but am fairly knowledgeable. Called the dealer for ideas, so I did as my uncle says if you cant figure it out sit back and look at it. Well as it was the MMM lever got engaged as we were painting it, never even thought about that because we NEVER use it. So what Im saying is sit back and look at it . V

 

[Duckguy]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I hope to get back to taking a look at it on Thursday. According to what's painted on the tractor it's an L2850, but I must have the year way off. Maybe they bought it used and that was the year they purchased it. All I can find is the clutch switch!

And I will just take a look a it and see what's up. Thanks for all the advice!!!

Josh

 

[dfkrug]

According to what's painted on the tractor it's an L2850, but I must have the year way off. Maybe they bought it used and that was the year they purchased it. All I can find is the clutch switch!

My first tractor was the 3cyl version of the L2850, called the L2550. That
is why I know it had only that one safety switch. My starter switch failed
on that tractor and I started it with a short piece of wire to short the
battery connection to the hot solenoid terminal until the new starter
switch arrived in the mail. That was the easiest starting tractor I have
ever started. Mine was an 89, I believe. Many Kubota tractors have a
date stamped on the wheels, if you want to check that for vintage. It
may be 20y old, but that does not mean it is not a great tractor. I tried to
fix my starter switch, but it was beyond hope.

 

[Duckguy]

Well, I was way off! It's a 1985 or 1986 it appears. I feel stupid.

Anyway, the plot thickens a bit. Someone was looking at it yesterday, but wasn't able to figure anything out. I had found the wiring diagram in our documents file, so I looked it over and went out to take a look. The guy yesterday left the hazard lights switch on, and when I walked in they were flashing! I shut it on and off and they continued to work, but no headlights. I turned on the key and the dash lights lit up. I hit the key, and everything stopped working and once again nothing works.

Looking at this diagram, I wonder if it's not this "combination switch". Pardon my stupidity, but could it cause this problem? Besides controlling all the lights, it appears to have 2 ignition wires running into/out of it. I had assumed it would have nothing to do with starting the tractor, but now I'm wondering.

I'm also checking out the fusible link, just haven't gotten to it yet.

Finally, can anyone tell me what the "timer relay" is and if it's the type of part that could cause such a failure.

I take back whatever I said about being a reasonable mechanic. This is way out of my league and I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.

Josh