Issue with starting and switching off a 4540

[BigBoyinMS]

Hi all! I just bought an '06 Montana 4540 today that has an issue I'd like your thoughts on.

I think it has a bad key switch. It may start as soon as you turn the switch or you may have to try 20 times before it will run. When it works it's an instant start up. It seems like the "run" contact only connects intermittently. Or could it more likely be the fuel cut solenoid? I'm guessing this tractor has one. Rapping on the switch housing has no effect. The reason I mention rapping on the switch is that when you turn the switch to off to kill the tractor, you have to rap on the switch housing before it dies. Any thoughts or has anyone had a similar issue?

Thanks in advance and if anyone has a .pdf service manual for it I would sure appreciate a copy!

 

[JDeerekid]

I think you are right that it is the key switch. I have had to replace mine twice in the last 3 years. I have a 4340c which is basically the same as your 4540.

When I turned my key switch on to start it would turn over and start but as soon as you let go of the key it would shut off. Or it would start and run but when you shut it off it would have a hard time starting again.

I think the last time I bought a key switch it was around $25. Dealer stocked them as he had to replace on a few other tractors.

 

[mwb]

Hi all! I just bought an '06 Montana 4540 today that has an issue I'd like your thoughts on.

I think it has a bad key switch. It may start as soon as you turn the switch or you may have to try 20 times before it will run. When it works it's an instant start up. It seems like the "run" contact only connects intermittently. Or could it more likely be the fuel cut solenoid? I'm guessing this tractor has one. Rapping on the switch housing has no effect. The reason I mention rapping on the switch is that when you turn the switch to off to kill the tractor, you have to rap on the switch housing before it dies. Any thoughts or has anyone had a similar issue?

Thanks in advance and if anyone has a .pdf service manual for it I would sure appreciate a copy!

Can you clarify a couple of things for me please? I have been complaining about a hard-to-start condition with mine and maybe this is the problem.

When you say "try 20 times" is the tractor cranking but not catching - or is the starter not activated?

Do you hear the fuel shutoff solenoid 'click' and glow plugs come on when the switch is put into the 'run' position?

I have to crank mine excessively to get it to start (hot or cold). Sometimes it starts instantly but usually i have to crank it over for a few seconds, stop, and it will start with another 2 seconds of cranking. I would be a easy fix if it was only the switch. I don稚 think so though I have never had problems shutting it off.
Dealer couldn't fix it, Montana told me that "all Mitsubishi engines of this model have this problem" :confused2:

 

[BigBoyinMS]

Hi guys. Thanks for the replies.

To clarify... mine spins over but never catches to run. I was rushing all day so I never really had a chance to diagnose it too much. I'm going to get into it Wednesday and Thursday and test everything to be sure before I order any parts. Both parts will be easy to test.

You guys have any good sources for parts?

 

[BigBoyinMS]

Just an update... I "fixed" the problem today. In preparing to hotwire my tractor so I could get some work done, I tested all the circuits to be sure everything was good... and it was. I decided that since I was going to order a new switch anyway it wouldn't hurt to try to see if I could get it to work. So I slammed it against the ROPS a couple of times. LoL It's been working perfectly ever since. I guess I knocked the stuck contacts loose. I know it won't last so I have a new one on order.