gregoryh
New member
Hi, my name is Greg from Bloomington,IN. I have a 2011 Kioti CK35 that I just love. During last summer it developed a starting problem, it would go through the pre-heat cycle fine then turning the key to start it would just klick. Nothing! After cleaning all contacts, battery cables, starter connections, battery terminals,ect. the problem was still there. The battery is virtually new. Then I figured out by turning the key to the starting position very slowly, it would crank and start. Although sometimes after starting and letting the switch return to the run position, it would die. This confirmed to me that the problem was in fact in the switch all along. OK I know how to continue running the tractor until I either re-place or repair the switch. The price on a new switch from my dealer was around 100.00 dollars. I really did not want to spend the money unless it was a last resort. Mainly because I figure the new one will develop the same problem over time. Now to the fix. The switch comes out fairly easily by first removing the center panel directly below the steering wheel. (4 bolts using a metric 10 socket) Then, I recommend wrapping the chrome ring that holds switch in with 1/4" masking tape. This will first make sure not scratch the chrome and will allow your pliers to get a better grip on the ring. Remove the ring by turning it counter clockwise with pliers. Now the switch is free to come out. Next take out the bolts holding the shroud that contains the instrument panel. (6 in the middle and 1 on each corner down low) This will allow enough room to drop the switch out. Disconnect the wiring plug and it is out. Draw an alignment line on the side of the switch with a sharpie to help re-assemble. Take the switch apart by taking the screw out (just one screw holds it together) now is the tricky part. There are alot of plastic fingers that need to by pryed up while pulling the two halfs apart. I used a small straight screwdriver to get under the fingers. I broke one of them, but don't worry. Just take your time! After splitting apart you will see about 5 contact points on one side and a brass plate on the other side. I used very fine steel wool to clean the contact surfaces as well as the brass plate. Then used spray contact cleaner for the final clean. Now that everything is clean, re-assemble the switch. There is a long tab on the backside of the brass plate, you will see the notch it fits in. Remember the line made with the Sharpie? Now you know why I mentioned to do that. Put the screw back in to hold the switch together, and your switch should work like new. I am writing this the morning after doing the fix last night and I might should have put some dielectric grease on the contacts to prevent corrosion in the future. If so it is no problem to do it again. Hope this post helps with your starting problem with your Kioti tractor.
