JD3520 will not start

[kenjal]

Hi all -
first thread here. this forum is a wealth of info, however I have not been able to find any info on the problem I am having using the search.
my 3 year old jd3520 will not start, at first I thought it was a dead battery but after charging on the battery charger it was not the problem. what's happening is that when the key is turned on there's a clicking noise in the guage cluster and the idiot lights all flash off and on. that's all it does. the starter doesn't try to crank. nothing. just the noise in the dash and the idiot lights flash off and on. no error codes. nothing. fuses are all ok. has fuel. battery is charged. i called the jd dealer, 45 miles away & $80 per hour service call, and he is going to fax me a wire schematic. but he doesn't know what the problem could be. the tractor has the ehydro trans and is the 3520 model. no problems up to date and has about 300 hrs.
any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
Ken

 

[B8FISH]

I would try another battery. I think I've read other posts about batteries not getting a full charge--and 3 years is on the edge of possible replacement. Also check the voltage flowing at various points along the system--a good search will yield you some past posts about specific points and methods. Good luck!!

 

[Patches]

You want to make absolutely sure your connections are "CLEAN" and tight; both on the battery and where they connect to the chassis ground and the starter solenoid. When it comes to starting problems, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"; absolutely necessary

 

[bota7800]

My sympathies, I am fighting starting problems too.

Does your starter have a Bendix gear? I am not sure if the little ones on tractors are the same, but I had those symptoms once where the spring was not moving the gear out to contact the flywheel. In my case it was on a Cessna, but the starter was the same as automobile starters. When I lubed the starter I could get a couple starts out of it.

 

[kenjal]

thanks for the quick replies. all connections are clean. that's the first thing i did before i put the charger to it.
don't know if the starter is bendix geared or not.
the thing is, the tractor had been used five days before. no start problems whatsoever. never since i've had it.
i don't think if it was a battery problem that the lights on the dash would all flash off and on and the rpm, mph, fuel guage would peg out to their max if it was a battery problem?? and the tractor isn't even trying to start, nothing is getting to the starter. that's what i feel with my limited knowledge. i could be totally wrong. not the first time.
that's why i'm asking you guys in this forum.

thanks,
Ken

 

[jsboening]

Check the battery with a volt meter. It may have a dead cell in it so it may only have 10 volts or so. Just charging it doesn't grantee 12 volts.

 

[soulasphil]

I also have a 3520, the powerreverser variety, not hydrostatic like yours, but the same stupid computer. From what you describe, the failure to start doesn't seem to have to do with battery or starter. IMHO it looks like some safety switch playing tricks. I've already been caught with "nEutOF" when I tried to start the engine with the transmission engaged, your trouble seems very much alike.

 

[John_in_TN]

Have you tried to jump-start it with a known good battery. When my 3520 hydro was less than two years old it developed one dead cell in the battery and it acted just as you describe. My battery charger showed the battery fully charged, but I was only getting "clicks" and "blinking dash lights" when I attempted to start it. Installed new battery and eveything has been great since. Good luck!

 

[irwin]

thanks for the quick replies. all connections are clean. that's the first thing i did before i put the charger to it.
don't know if the starter is bendix geared or not.
the thing is, the tractor had been used five days before. no start problems whatsoever. never since i've had it.
i don't think if it was a battery problem that the lights on the dash would all flash off and on and the rpm, mph, fuel guage would peg out to their max if it was a battery problem?? and the tractor isn't even trying to start, nothing is getting to the starter. that's what i feel with my limited knowledge. i could be totally wrong. not the first time.
that's why i'm asking you guys in this forum.

thanks,
Ken

Yes those things can happen with a bad battery.
Now I'm not saying it is a battery issue..but, I'd get a known good battery in there before I did anything else.

BTW, I run an auto repair shop.

 

[tugboat-2]

First of all Kenjal,...let me say WELCOME Aboard! I agree that because you have enough juice to do the electrical things on the dash but it is NOT doing anything else,..such as click at the starter or when you turn the key the dash lights dim out, which shows it is making the connections OK, but battery is weak under load, (I assume these are true?), . . then I would agree with the idea Soulasphil from France mentioned regarding the "safety-switches" and things of that nature which have disconnected the starter temporarily.

Have you tried the simple things that are often to blame such as: bouncing the seat to ensure the seat safety switch isn't stuck,(or lifting the seat to check the switch)..also try wiggling both your "motion-pedals", as if they are not perfect the starter disconnects, . . and any other safety type things you can think of.

Get your manual out and read through looking for the various safety items as I strongly suspect one of those is at fault. Please keep us posted. If I think of something else I'll get back to you. I also have a 2006 JD-3520-Cab.

Good luck to you,
. . tug

 

[tugboat-2]

Just thought of something related: Make sure your gear shift selector lever is in Neutral,...shouldn't matter with your set up but never hurts to try things like this. Also double check all PTO switches and levers as if you had (for instance) been mowing and simply shut 'er down when you came in,.. WITHOUT hitting the PTO Mower button,.....it will NOT start next time.

Trying to think of things it could be. Sure it could be a faulty battery but try all the simple "stupid" things first. Don't be afraid to yank, twist and pull on any and all electrical connections as a "little-rust-corrosion-dirt" can make a faulty elect. connection.

Again I'll remind you to "wiggle" your motion pedals first. Sit in the seat and look around,...turn OFF everything!!!! Lights, PTO switches, (Cab? heater/AC, wipers, cabin ceiling light, cruise, load match and anything that can be turned OFF,...turn it all off to begin with. Then begin your pedal wiggles, safety switch checks etc and just keep double checking because it is sure to be an electrical problem.

Also, . . how about your engine intake air "filter"? Is there a chance that hasn't been serviced in a while and has clogged up. Seems to me there might be a "Restriction-switch" that may disconnect the starter when the filter is clogged? (Just guessing here).

Even more Good luck wishes this time,
. . tug

 

[John_in_TN]

I agree that there are several possible causes for this problem, but I assure you that (based on personal experience) a 3520 e-hydro with one dead cell in the battery will act exactly like the OP describes. The computer won't allow the starter to engage when it sense low voltage. Instead the dash cluster clicks rather loudly and the idiot light all blink indicating the low voltage problem.

 

[tugboat-2]

OK John_in_TN, . . I will certainly take the word of "experience" above all else, so Kenjal, . . pull the battery out of your road vehicle, car, truck etc and try it in the tractor. If you get the same symptoms with a "known" factor, then try some of my suggestions above. (Don't have to actually switch batteries, just make certain of your "booster" connections). If that is the problem, then I guess its time for a NEW battery!

And John, . . do you recall during your experience, if the "display" showed any of the codes, or did it remain blank as our OP indicates? Not having experienced this issue as yet, I really don't know what to tell this guy other than obvious starting points.

I would have "expected" the display to indicate such as "bad-batt" or some such thing rather than remain blank and totally confuse the operator?

CHEERS
. . tug

 

[Willl]

battery is charged.

Says who ?, exactly what voltage does it read ?

 

[John_in_TN]

Tug, display showed no codes, the starter did nothing, there were just rapid clicking sounds and all the idiot lights blink (or maybe flash simultaniously is a better description). According to my dealer - that is the indication for low voltage.

 

[John_in_TN]

Sorry guys, I acidently hit enter prematurely on previous post.
I also tried to charge my old battery with two different chargers and both showed the battery was fully charged but the battery had one dead cell. That was confusing the chargers and causing the described problem.

Tug, all of you guys made excellent reccomendations and I am NOT trying to discount any of them, I just think the most likely cause here is the battery.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I just think the most likely cause here is the battery.

I agree....if it were a "safety switch" or similar, you'd get a code on the LCD Display saying such....
I had the SAME thing happen to my truck this winter actually...Radio worked fine, lights were on, etc.. but would just click to start...tested volts, 12v.... Brought battery in and had tested, FAILED load test.....installed new battery when I got home and she fired right up.

 

[kenjal]

Good morning guys -
John in TN, you were right on as were the other guys who said it was more than likely the battery. It is the battery. I took a volt reading and it was practically nothing. So it is off to napa to buy a new one.
In hindsight I should have checked this first thing but I never thought that the battery would just up and die like that. In my past experience a battery at least gave you a little heads up. But that was with non computer chip controlled autos/trucks.
Thanks everyone for your replies & advice.
Ken

 

[John_in_TN]

Glad you got it sorted out!
The 3520 did act very differently from anything else I have ever encountered.

 

[tugboat-2]

Yes indeed, I too am glad the problem is solved! Most of my mechanical so-called "expertise" was long before all this confusing, computerized stuff. Don't get me wrong, I think todays technology is wonderful,...just a shade hard to diagnose without proper testers etc.

Sorry John if I gave the wrong idea, on the contrary I welcomed your input. Just figured a faulty battery would at least show some of the signs they used to, like at least clicking the starter, or dimming the lights when you try to start and all the stuff from the "old days" (where I'm from).

Had no idea the weak battery would act in this manner and you were right to insist on it. My mistake, ..my lesson learned. My 3520 is a 2006 so perhaps I'll soon experience the same indications,...AND will be ready to deal with it. So, my thanks goes to you "battery" guys! I learned something worth knowing today!!!

CHEERS !
. . tug