L3200 HST dead. No power to anything on the panel. Not even hazards

[RRX]

I'm so bummed. I've loved my Kubota since I bought it new a few years ago. I don't use it enough, and it mostly sits (only 41 total hrs). Last year I noticed it would sometimes require tapping the starter a few times to get it to start. I figured maybe it was just oxidized contacts in the solenoid. Now it doesn't start at all. Today I vow to removed the starter and inspect it, which I did. It appeared clean and would turn. I re-installed and tried to start it, only this time I get no "click" from the solenoid. I check the battery, and it is good, 14V. Cable at starter to ground and there is 14V. Then I try hazard lights, headlights. Nothing. I check all the fuses with a meter, and they're all good. What the heck???? What else is there? Could it be the key switch? I figure before I tear that out (How do you removed it anyway?) I'd better ask the experts on this forum. Arghh! Tractor dealer is closed.

 

[Clint S]

Check ALL your grounds.

 

[RRX]

Okay, battery ground is fine. Anyone know where the ground is located to the panel? Don't the hazards work with the key off?

 

[bumperm]

Assuming the original battery . . . when not in use, do you hook the battery up to a trickle or maintenance charger?

If not, how are you testing the battery voltage? Just hooking up a voltmeter doesn't really tell you much without a load being placed on the battery. Lead acid batteries can get a "surface charge" but when hooked to a load the voltage falls way off. Check the battery with a load (e.g. turn on the tractor head lights (even if they won't come on) and recheck battery voltage.

If battery voltage is low with lights on, and you have a set of jumper cables, try jumping the tractor battery with another vehicle.

 

[RRX]

Assuming the original battery . . . when not in use, do you hook the battery up to a trickle or maintenance charger?

If not, how are you testing the battery voltage? Just hooking up a voltmeter doesn't really tell you much without a load being placed on the battery. Lead acid batteries can get a "surface charge" but when hooked to a load the voltage falls way off. Check the battery with a load (e.g. turn on the tractor head lights (even if they won't come on) and recheck battery voltage.

If battery voltage is low with lights on, and you have a set of jumper cables, try jumping the tractor battery with another vehicle.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, original battery. And I haven't tested with a load. I did put a charger on the battery this morning and it did take a charge as in it started charging at 4 amps, and a couple hours later it was charging at 2 amps. I'll go try what you suggested and will report back then.

 

[RRX]

Battery voltage is 15V with or without load. Tried jumping from my Tundra, and still no power. No lights. No nothing. Say, when I was removing starter, what if I shorted the pos cable when disconnecting starter? I when I first put a ratchet on the nut and loosened it, I remembered that I hadn't removed the gnd cable on the battery. So I did and resumed. But what if I accidentally shorted the battery with my ratchet? What would it blow? I don't think I did, but I want to check every possibility.

 

[bumperm]

Most likely you will find the battery is toast. Lead acid batteries typically discharge about 3 to 5% a month, depending on temperature, hotter is worse. And once the battery is self discharged down 30 to 50 percent, damage is in the offing. Plates sulfate and battery capacity goes down. Recharging doesn't undue the damage.

For seldom used equipment, best to use a good maintenance charger unless you are disciplined, and ****, enough to hook up a charger on a regular basis.

bumper

 

[Clint S]

How did you check load, turn the key ,headlights???? 15 volts is way high I am hoping you just took it off the charger??? Should be around 12.5 give or take. With a load I would venture to say the voltage would drop if the battery was connected or if the ground was bad. Look for main fuse or fixable link. If you shorted the battery that could have popped. Did you try jumping the solenoid, providing power directly from the battery to starter. Can use jumpers for that. So again my guesses would be flushable link or main fuse blown, wire shorted or disconnected or bad key switch (depending on wiring)

 

[k0ua]

Sounds like the main fuse is blown to me. Located just to the right of the battery positive terminal

 

[Baby Grand]

Sounds like the main fuse is blown to me. Located just to the right of the battery positive terminal

^ +2 What James said.