Kubota b1750 electrical problem

imjillerma · Aug 26, 2010

When I try to start tractor, I was getting a click noise (starter or solenoid?)but no turn over. Upon turning key off, I got a continuous buzzing noise within the dash which eventually winds down and stops.
A year or so ago I had a ground short (worn wire cover) which I eventually traced down and taped and all was well. I traced and traced but have not found any apparent new shorts.
I lightly tapped on the starter with a hammer. Now I am not getting the click noise that I got previously.
I was thinking of checking components with a multi meter but figured I'd reach out first.
Anybody have any similar experience / ideas? Pulling my hair out.

brain55 · Aug 26, 2010

Sounds like a dead battery or dirty connections to me.

Brian

leonz · Aug 26, 2010

tractor troubles

imjillerma said:
When I try to start tractor, I was getting a click noise (starter or solenoid?)

soleniod trying to engage

but no turn over. Upon turning key off, I got a continuous buzzing noise within the dash which eventually winds down and stops.

the ground is not instantaneous so you have that

A year or so ago I had a ground short (worn wire cover) which I eventually traced down and taped and all was well. I traced and traced but have not found any apparent new shorts.

I lightly tapped on the starter with a hammer. Now I am not getting the click noise that I got previously.

I was thinking of checking components with a multi meter but figured I'd reach out first.
Anybody have any similar experience / ideas? Pulling my hair out.

Did you tap the solenoid on the starter or the starter motor case?

check the battery terminals for loose terminals or a broken post first and then remove the battery and charge it over night and if the battery takes a charge have it load tested to see if its still in good condition- if its bad buy a new one and then clean or replace the cable ends and coat them with copper shield or what ever or if possible buy terminal end covers like the ones used in cars and trucks from a car dealer parts room.

When was the last time you checked the v belt tension of the alternator, water pump belts or the condition of the belt(s)

More than likely the battery is fried or has a broken cell which will ruin the whole day- it sounds like a broken cell with symptoms of slow voltage drain as you have described.

if the battery is good it may be a loose belt or the starter-whoopsie

Be careful how much you tension the belt if it is loose leave an 1/8 to 3/16 inch of slack and no more and do not overtighten the belt as it will fry the bearings in the alternator.

If you look at the belt and handle it with your fingers and rubber comes off the v part with light rubbing or handling it its time for a new one-whoopsie.

alchemysa · Aug 26, 2010

I have a B1550 and had a similar problem. Check the battery terminal where the multi-strand copper battery cable press fits into the soft metal of the battery clamp. The terminal can look sound and carry a charge but if its dirty or has broken wires inside the clamp (where you can't see it) will not carry enough juice to turn the starter over. I cut off the old clamps and fitted new 'bolt on' ones. Problem fixed.

czechsonofagun · Aug 27, 2010

It seems like there is not enough current to the starter. Either battery is dead or some connection corroded. Very often it is the battery grounding.

montelatici · Aug 27, 2010

imjillerma said:
When I try to start tractor, I was getting a click noise (starter or solenoid?)but no turn over. Upon turning key off, I got a continuous buzzing noise within the dash which eventually winds down and stops.
A year or so ago I had a ground short (worn wire cover) which I eventually traced down and taped and all was well. I traced and traced but have not found any apparent new shorts.
I lightly tapped on the starter with a hammer. Now I am not getting the click noise that I got previously.
I was thinking of checking components with a multi meter but figured I'd reach out first.
Anybody have any similar experience / ideas? Pulling my hair out.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...40-b2400-starting-problem-finally-solved.html

"Since last summer, when I tried to start the tractor, most times it would take up to 10 or so tries turning the ignition key on and off to finally start. With each try, I could hear the starter solenoid click. I cleaned the battery terminals, battery clamps, and ground connection to the frame. Problem not fixed. I then replaced the starter solenoid and that didn't fix the problem. Since I needed the tractor to start without fail for winter snow blowing, I had the Kubota dealer pick it up for repair. He replaced the starter switch and it started OK all winter. This spring, the problem started again. When I used jumper cables to start it, it would start OK. I assumed the 8 year old battery was bad so I replaced it. Problem not solved. I then temporarily installed new battery cables. Problem still not solved. Finally I read Kubmech 's posting on this problem (7/15/04). He explained that the increased resistance in starting circuit as the parts aged caused a decreased voltage to reach the starter solenoid. When this voltage decreased enough, the solenoid did not have enough current to engage. His solution was to install a low voltage relay which would engage and allow full voltage from the battery to engage the starter solenoid. Use of John Deere part AM107421 was recommended (Approx $18). Since I had tried almost everything else (and didn't want to have to send the tractor back to the dealer) I bought the part and installed it. Tractor had sat for about a week and started on first try. The part has been installed for over a week and the tractor has not failed to start on the first try. Installation is easy, it is almost as if this part was made for installation on a Kubota. Wires from low voltage relay plug right into the Kubota solenoid terminals and wire from ignition switch. (See Kubmech 's posting for detailed installation instructions). If you have this starting problem and cleaning the battery cable clamps, ground, battery terminals and your battery is good, I would suggest trying this part. The most you can be out is about $20. Wish I had read this posting earlier, it would have saved me about $350. Thank you Kubmech"

brain55 · Aug 27, 2010

The problem with low voltage to the starter solenoid (when all other components are good) is very common on older L-series machines especially L33-4150's I have yet to see it in B-series machines. That does not mean that is not the case here. But rather than replacing or installing parts unnecessarily. The first rule of electrical troubleshooting is to make sure the battery and its connections are good. Then you can start tracing the power from the battery to the starter to make sure you are getting the 12v needed.

Brian

imjillerma · Aug 29, 2010

leonz said:
tractor troubles

Did you tap the solenoid on the starter or the starter motor case?

check the battery terminals for loose terminals or a broken post first and then remove the battery and charge it over night and if the battery takes a charge have it load tested to see if its still in good condition- if its bad buy a new one and then clean or replace the cable ends and coat them with copper shield or what ever or if possible buy terminal end covers like the ones used in cars and trucks from a car dealer parts room.

When was the last time you checked the v belt tension of the alternator, water pump belts or the condition of the belt(s)

More than likely the battery is fried or has a broken cell which will ruin the whole day- it sounds like a broken cell with symptoms of slow voltage drain as you have described.

if the battery is good it may be a loose belt or the starter-whoopsie

Be careful how much you tension the belt if it is loose leave an 1/8 to 3/16 inch of slack and no more and do not overtighten the belt as it will fry the bearings in the alternator.

If you look at the belt and handle it with your fingers and rubber comes off the v part with light rubbing or handling it its time for a new one-whoopsie.