Kubota B2910 Not Starting with Ignition Key

[thclimer]

From this site you can download a Work Shop manual that covers the B2410, B2710 and your B2910.

Download Kubota B2410 Workshop Manual | ManualsLib

www.manualslib.com

There are other electrical schematics but this attached one on the starting circuit might help you:

 

[Jim Richardson]

CH4Ohio gets the win!

There are not two safety switches for the two PTO levers, instead one lever lifts the switch and the other lever moves where the plunger engages. So one switch engaged by both levers. A clever design.

My B2910 is from 2001 and early B2910s did not have a seat safety switch.

The ignition spade is on the solenoid which is on the starter.

Putting a jumper cable from the battery hot to this ignition spade cranks the engine. That means the ground is good, the starter is good, the solenoid is good.

The starter relay was the problem. It is located under the instrument cluster, behind the tachometer. Replacing the relay is a lot less work than testing three safety switches, but who knew?

Below is the bad starter relay. My Kubota dealer stocks a newer version which has subtle differences and might not fit into the wiring harness. He can order the older version, but did not have any in stock.

At the bottom of the black plastic is a bumped out section which the newer one does not have, and the newer piece overall is a bit narrower. The older relay has a tab and hole for mounting, while the newer version slides over a part of the newer tractor. While I discussed it with the parts guy, the mechanic came out of the back with the correct part. Turns out he uses it for diagnosing starting problems. Here's the best part: he loaned me his starter relay and the tractor now starts!

I have the option of buying a new relay the dealer will order, or to buy this used one from the mechanic's toolbox. I'm going with the used one. I figure the mechanic's diagnostic relay has gone through more quality control testing than any new one.

Thanks everyone for working this problem for me.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Great!! Thanks for the update too!

 

[jonathentyquan]

Hello all!

I've been having trouble with my B2910, and the key is not turning the starter solenoid on.

650 hours

I ran the tractor for a few hours, and then turned it off near the house to go run in and grab some chains. Came back, and it would not start. Dash Lights did come on though when the key is turned (Engine Oil Pressure, Electrical Charge, Glow Plug Indicator).

I got to working on it, and tried to jump the tractor, same problems.
I took the battery to the parts store, and it is good.
I took the starter out and had the dealership test it. All good.
I tried swapping relay switches, and it didn't change anything.

I started trying to read some electric readings on the relays, and accidently started the tractor by key with the multimeter in two of the 4 prong holes of the starter relay????
Speed Test
Finally bought a remote starter cable, and am able to start and operate the tractor.
I still can't turn it on with the key, and now only the glow plug indicator comes on when the key is turned. I also have no fuel or temperature readings. RPM guage still good for some reason.

Ideally I'd like to have the tractor starting as it should with a key. Any tips? Safety Switches?

I would probably start with the neutral safety switch as lots of issues are reported going bad and shifting to be out of alignment.