JD 4100 battery light

[johndeere4720]

Hi, I have a JD 4100 and the battery light has been flickering on and off when the the pto is engaged. It just started doing it this week. I really need to cut the yard. Is it ok to mow with the battery light flickering on and off?

 

[kennyd]

Have you checked the battery voltage with a meter?

 

[johndeere4720]

The voltage meter said that the battery is putting out 13.1 volts.

 

[kennyd]

The voltage meter said that the battery is putting out 13.1 volts.

Is that with the engine running?

I looked at the schematics for my 4110 (newer model of your 4100) and don't see how the two (battery and PTO)lights are related

My gut feeling is that the PTO clutch is robbing enough power to make the light flicker because the battery or alternator is bad. Can you duplicate the flickering by turning on the headlights?

 

[johndeere4720]

Is that with the engine running?

I looked at the schematics for my 4110 (newer model of your 4100) and don't see how the two (battery and PTO)lights are related

My gut feeling is that the PTO clutch is robbing enough power to make the light flicker because the battery or alternator is bad. Can you duplicate the flickering by turning on the headlights?

No that was with engine off. I will try flickering the headlights tomorrow.

I have had to have the alternater replaced along with the battery though.

 

[mfreund]

Is that with the engine running?

I looked at the schematics for my 4110 (newer model of your 4100) and don't see how the two (battery and PTO)lights are related

My gut feeling is that the PTO clutch is robbing enough power to make the light flicker because the battery or alternator is bad. Can you duplicate the flickering by turning on the headlights?

My gut feeling is kennyd is right on the $$$$$$$

 

[johndeere4720]

My gut feeling is kennyd is right on the $$$$$$$

So you are saying that I have a bad PTO cluch. Can I cut the yard with a bad PTO cluch.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think KennyD means it is drawing enough power that the battery and alternator problems are more evident. I would recomend you test as was mentioned, check voltage while running at a fast idle with and without headlights on and pto engaged and disengaged to determine if the electrical system is the problem or pto clutch.

With the engine running off hand I would expect to see about 14 to 14.5 volts with the lights on or off.


Steve

 

[kennyd]

I think KennyD means it is drawing enough power that the battery and alternator problems are more evident. I would recomend you test as was mentioned, check voltage while running at a fast idle with and without headlights on and pto engaged and disengaged to determine if the electrical system is the problem or pto clutch.

With the engine running off hand I would expect to see about 14 to 14.5 volts with the lights on or off.


Steve

Thanks Steve, that is exactly what I meant.

 

[johndeere4720]

I was getting 12.3 volts with the headlights on and 13.6 volts with them off. I did test the voltage at 1500rpm and was getting 14.1 volts. By the way, all the tests were from the battery.
I was not able to test the voltage with the PTO on because I didn't have an operator. I have a feeling that the alternator is going bad.

I think KennyD means it is drawing enough power that the battery and alternator problems are more evident. I would recomend you test as was mentioned, check voltage while running at a fast idle with and without headlights on and pto engaged and disengaged to determine if the electrical system is the problem or pto clutch.

With the engine running off hand I would expect to see about 14 to 14.5 volts with the lights on or off.


Steve

 

[kennyd]

You can engage the rear PTO while off-the-seat by lifting the seat and then pulling the seat switch UP-at least that's the way my 4110 is...

 

[jenkinsph]

Try to perform the test completely so we can better determine your problems.


steve

 

[johndeere4720]

Well, I was able to engage the rear PTO at idle and was getting 13.6 volts, then I shut off the PTO and was still getting 13.6 volts.

 

[jenkinsph]

Was that a fast idle? If it was that seems low to me. On your tractor is this a belt drive alternator? May want to check the belt tension. If you raise the engine speed to a fast idle it should rise above 14.0 volts when battery is fully charged.

13.6 volts will allow for a slow charge to your battery, if you can add the pto and lights at a fast idle and still maintain this you might be okay. I doubt from your measurements that the pto clutch is the problem and you should be able to mow with it without harm. I would think your alternator is not keeping up but a bad battery can drag down the voltage too. I think it would be wise to take the battery in and have it load tested to help eliminate it as a source of the problem. If the battery checks out good and is replaced fully charged then you should get readings near 14.0 volts when running. If not then I would remove the alternator and have it tested and or repaired.


Steve