John Deere 3150 wont start???

[bsrfarms97]

Hey everyone. ive got alittle issue with my deere. Went out the other morning to feed and tractor wouldnt start. I first thought dead batteries. Grabbed a couple jumper cables and tried to jump it off other tractor and nothing... Just clicking at solenoid. i bought a new starter and hooked it up. it cranked slow at first. then same thing. Any ideas?

 

[beenthere]

I would still suspect the batteries..

 

[bsrfarms97]

Well I just had them tested and even under load they checked good. Is it possible I bought a bad starter? I actually purchased a gear reduction starter to make it alittle easier on cold starting and better battery life. Ive even tried to bypass the batteries by hooking jumper cables from a different battery straight to the solenoid and I get nothing just alittle arc at the solenoid but the starter doesnt move. After removing the starter and hooking a battery to it, it still doesnt turn.

 

[Tx Jim]

Have you checked,cleaned,tightened ALL battery cable connections? I can't determine from your profile photo if your tractor is cab or OS? Does your tractor have a hyd pump destroking screw(parts key 6)?

 

[bsrfarms97]

Its a cab. All battery connections seem to be good. On my meter im showing 12 volts at the starter.

 

[Tx Jim]

Have you looked at both ground cables where they attach to tractor not just checked with a volt meter???????? Those have a history of causing starting problems

 

[bsrfarms97]

ground cables seem to be in great shape. Nothing corrosive on any them and no hard bends or kinks. They where put new on about 4yrs ago. Ill double check the ground and make sure they are getting good connection with no paint or anything interfering.

 

[jd110]

Try cranking the engine while the voltmeter is connected to the starter. How much does the voltage drop while cranking? If less than 9 1/2 volts, you have a bad battery, battery cable, or ground connection.

 

[bsrfarms97]

Try cranking the engine while the voltmeter is connected to the starter. How much does the voltage drop while cranking? If less than 9 1/2 volts, you have a bad battery, battery cable, or ground connection.

I tried that. I was getting 12.5 volts until I hit the key then it drops to 12 at most. And ive even tried two different meters and they both read the same. I took the batteries to dealer just for piece of mind and had them test them both and both batteries hold above 90% charge at 950 cca. The company I bought the starter from is sending me another. Im hoping it was just a 1 in a million shot that I bought a bad starter.

 

[bsrfarms97]

Update: I was able to get my tractor started finally. The gear reduction starter I purchased was refurbished. After I took it and the old starter to a local shop that does rebuilds. The guy told me that the gear reduction starter didnt have enough output to turn that big of a engine. He took my old factory starter and rebuilt it. I picked it up today and installed it. It works like a charm. It feels great to have it back up and running.