Kubota L3400 won't start

[rum4]

Went to start my tractor today and it would not start! I checked the battery, fuel filter and fuses and seems that is all ok. I read were the solenoid can sometimes cause this issue. Removed the solenoid and checked it by starting the tractor and the solenoid rod did not move. I disconnected the solenoid and started the tractor and it start up had to choke the tractor down to turn it off. I am thinking the solenoid is bad? or is it the relay to the solenoid?

 

[jeff9366]

Check the battery further. It only takes a drop of 2/10's to 3/10's volt for solenoid not to fire.

Trying jumping the tractor from another vehicle. It it starts via jump it is your battery.

Battery may not be dead. It may be corrosion INSIDE the battery clamp, likely on the positive clamp. Polish inside clamp with a wire brush until it shines then reconnect clamp TIGHT. Sometime vibration loosens clamps, which also causes voltage drop.

 

[k0ua]

I take it you mean fuel shut off solenoid when you say solenoid. I don't have the schematic for the L3400 but on my Kioti that particular solenoid has 2 coils the Pull coil (low resistance,high current about 30 amps) and the hold coil, less than an amp. There is a Relay that when energized provides a momentary path (1 second connection) to the pull coil. to get the fuel shut off rod pulled back, then the hold coil (high resistance low current coil) holds it back with a small amount of current that is just provided thru the key switch "on" bus. I don't know if the L3400 works that way, but maybe this would help.. The best thing any owner that thinks they would every want to work on their tractor to purchase is the workshop manual.. The rest is just guessing and parts changing. And that can get expensive.

James K0UA

 

[KennyV]

..... I disconnected the solenoid and started the tractor and it start up had to choke the tractor down to turn it off. ....

Your L3400 Has a Choke??

 

[k0ua]

Your L3400 Has a Choke??

He probably means he chocked off the air supply with a rag or something to stop the engine as he had no way to shut off the injector pump without the fuel shutoff solenoid functioning because he removed it

 

[murphy1244]

He probably means he chocked off the air supply with a rag or something to stop the engine as he had no way to shut off the injector pump without the fuel shutoff solenoid functioning because he removed it

He is very hard to follow. But I think your right he is talking about his shut off solenoid.

 

[dogdoc]

I had the exact same thing happen with my kubota last year. Posted the same question and almost everyone said check the battery. The factory battery had a green bubble saying it was fine. Took the battery in to be tested and it was still ok but weak. Jumped it with my truck and started right up. Went ahead an invested in a new battery and my L3400 has been firing just fine.

 

[rum4]

Yes I had to restrict the air so it would shut off since the fuel solenoid was disconnected. The battery was replaced about a week ago.

k0au from what I have read it works very similiar to what you are saying. I guess I need to check the relay before replacing the fuel solenoid? Yes I need a shop manual I know.

After it started and I got it shut off. I put the fuel solenoid back in and tried starting, it would start but then die. Then it would turn over but not start. I am not getting that "click" sound when starting so the fuel solenoid is one - not getting enough power to open it or two - it is defective. Not sure which one it is or how to check the relay.

 

[k0ua]

Yes I had to restrict the air so it would shut off since the fuel solenoid was disconnected. The battery was replaced about a week ago.

k0au from what I have read it works very similiar to what you are saying. I guess I need to check the relay before replacing the fuel solenoid? Yes I need a shop manual I know.

After it started and I got it shut off. I put the fuel solenoid back in and tried starting, it would start but then die. Then it would turn over but not start. I am not getting that "click" sound when starting so the fuel solenoid is one - not getting enough power to open it or two - it is defective. Not sure which one it is or how to check the relay.

Unfortunately I do not know how the timer circuit on the L3400 works, on the Kioti it is controlled by a timer control module.. The relay is nothing more than a coil and a set of contacts. You can put an ohmmeter on the coil of course to see if it is open or not. You could also measure for voltage on the coil and measure for voltages in the relaxed and energized states on the contact pins. On the Kioti there are 3 wires on the solenoid.. Ground, Pull voltage pin and hold voltage pin. The pull voltage is momentary 1 second pulse, it is high current and goes thru the fuel relay contacts and that relays contacts are controlled by its coil being energized by the timer control module. The hold voltage is constant and comes from the key "on" buss. If yours works the same way, I would measure for voltage on the fuel solenoid and have a second person operate the key switch while you look for the pull voltage 1 second pulse and for the "hold" voltage constant 12 volts. This all assumes that it works like the Kioti.. I just don't know without a book. To test the solenoid with an ohmmeter, you should find the two coils, one a low resistance coil, under 1 ohm, this should be the "pull" coil. and a higher resistance coil maybe 15 ohms or so, this is the "hold" coil . I am guessing here but I doubt there is a control module on the L3400. The whole tractor is simpler than the Kioti, In other words there is not much digital electronics on-board. I am guessing the timer circuit is probably another relay and an RC circuit or delay relay to drive the fuel relay coil. I hope this helps a little, I am sorry I cannot be more accurate.

James K0UA

 

[rum4]

The battery has been replaced. Still just turns over but won't start. I am not hearing the normal click when the key is switched over to start it.