JD 2240 won't crank after working an hour or two.

[duke7595]

I have a problem with my tractor cranking after a couple hours of work. This is a NO Crank, I turn the key and nothing. Next morning it starts right up.
It has a new battery, I replaced the ignition switch and had the alternator rebuilt. The battery tests at 12.8, and when running it charges as it should at about 13.6 to 14.2. I can't figure it out, it starts fine when cold, but won't even, try to crank after working it. Oh, the battery when hot tests at 12.8 volts ample voltage to start, but won't crank, acts as if the battery is stone dead.
If anyone has an idea what could be happening I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

[beenthere]

First thought is bad battery.. second thought is poor connections

First I'd clean all the ground connections and any under 12v load for starting.
Second, if not fixed, take the battery in for a load test.
Third.. hopefully not needed.

 

[duke7595]

First thanks for replying. I did both of the things you recommended. The battery is new and load tested fine. Any other ideas?

 

[pmsmechanic]

I would say that somewhere heat is causing some resistance in a circuit.

When the motor is hot and it won't start, do you have the normal lights on the dash with the key on or nothing? When you turn the key to the start position do any relays activate? Can you hear clicking? Can you feel the starter solenoid clicking when someone tries to start the tractor hot?

By the way when you do this testing make sure the tractor gear shift is in neutral and the park brake is on.

Edited to add: Do you have a volt meter and do you know how to use it?

 

[radios1]

I think it can only be the starter malfunctioning after it gets hot. that's the only part in the electrical part of the cranking that gets hot, and needs to cool down, then works the next day..

 

[gary49]

I think it's the starter, too. You could test this theory by running some water on the body of the starter when everything is hot and see if it works. If you aren't hearing a click from the solenoid when you turn the key, it's likely a bad solenoid and the starter itself is ok. I recently bought a 2240 and it had intermittent starting issues which turned out to be a bad switch, the solenoid clicked reliably, but sometimes it took multiple tries before the starter would spin. In researching the problem, I found info that the ground from the battery was problematic and did better if you ran it to the cast iron parts rather than the stock sheet metal position. I did that and it didn't solve the problem,but I believe it improved the cranking speed. Took a while to discover the very funky starter switch, but you've replaced yours, so you must have a different problem.

 

[Tx Jim]

I agree with other posters probably starter solenoid is sticking when it gets hot from heat from engine after engine has been running.

 

[Zebrafive]

Rather than pour water on the starter/solenoid, I would ice it, a plastic bag of crushed ice.

 

[duke7595]

When the problem occurs, put a voltmeter on the starter connection and see if you have voltage there. If so, how much voltage?

Thank you all for the great suggestions, it's appreciated. Tomorrow I'm going to try cooling the starter off and take a voltage reading when cranking. Regarding dash lights, none are working, need new bulbs. I can't say I have heard the solenoid click on when trying to start, however, I can't hear it when it does start due to engine cranking. Will try it with key engaged and report back. Thanks, again everyone.