L3301 HST will not start

marksmand · Oct 19, 2021

Got off the tractor this morning after shutting it off. Got back on and went to restart...engine not turning over.
Dash lit up and I hear the fuel pump. Checked the usual suspects/continuity in the seat switch and PTO switch and felt around the HST pedal switch and that seemed ok. Battery fine All fuses seem ok. No error codes on the dash

Any thoughts? Nearest dealer is 1.5hrs away so a service call would be a fortune

Roadworthy · Oct 19, 2021

Did you push in the clutch? That's my normal oversight. You seem to know if the engine won't try to turn over it's probably an unhappy safety switch somewhere.

CoyPatton · Oct 19, 2021

By pass all the safety switches by jumping from battery terminal on starter to ignition terminal on starter.
CAUTION: if the hst is not in neutral, the tractor will move and you could be in danger of being ran over.
If starter engages, you know it is in your ignition switch somewhere, ignition switch not getting power or safety switches.

RickB · Oct 19, 2021

I've seen 2 tractors with that exact symptom that turned out to be a corroded pin/socket at the ECU / wiring harness connection.

Torvy · Oct 19, 2021

Should have bought the manual shift, then you could just push start it. haha... Just kidding

marksmand · Oct 19, 2021

RickB said:
I've seen 2 tractors with that exact symptom that turned out to be a corroded pin/socket at the ECU / wiring harness connection.

Ok...where is that located so I can check it out

RickB · Oct 19, 2021

clutch pedal side below the steering column.

marksmand · Oct 19, 2021

will check out in the AM Thanks Rob

marksmand · Oct 20, 2021

So I got it started. Did a final check on all safety switches ..all ok. Slipped tractor in neutral, put on the parking brake and while I was in the seat I had a friend activate the starter solenoid. Tractor turned over so I turned on the ignition and it started right up. It then stalled when I got out of the seat, which it should not do unless tractor is in motion or PTO is engaged.
Started up again and drove it a short way home. It is now fine and operates normally. I can't say that I have a lot of confidence in the machine now, but I will use it around the property and see how it does.
I have been in touch with Marshall Machinery through all this and they say they have no idea what might of happened except maybe something was loose etc. Will hope for the best...

Any thoughts? Rob

CoyPatton · Oct 20, 2021

Sounds like a sticky seat neutral safety switch. It may give no troubles for many many cycles or act up tomorrow.
You did the text I recommended. You learned the issue is in a safety switch (no real surprise).
again a CAUTION! They are safety switches, you can by pass them. Unplug the switch in question and jump the wiring harness contacts. If the issue goes away, then you know which to replace. Remember the safety feature is disabled while by passed!

marksmand · Oct 20, 2021

I am not convinced it was the seat switch. I unplugged it and tested it for continuity and it passed. I also got the weird situation where the engine stopped while not in motion when I got up out of the seat and the no start situation persisted. It only went away after driving around for 15 minutes and now everything is fine. Who knows? Thanks for your help! Found the attached no start troubleshooting chart Rob

sea2summit · Oct 20, 2021

Any rat/mouse damage to wiring? I'd give it a close look, those little bastages love my tractors.

TMGT · Oct 20, 2021

I'd say hst safety is the most likely suspect, sometimes they can be temperamental on position. Had it happen a few times on my B2620, sometimes rocking the pedal while holding the key would work, sometimes I would have cycle the pedal a few times and then try.
Usually happened after it hadn't been used for a while or the treadle needed greasing(depending on grease type the cold didn't help either).

CoyPatton · Oct 20, 2021

Faulty safety switches are a pain! Likely one is going bad. But a non problem is near impossible to locate.
A missing section of wiring insulation is also a possibility. Unfortunately this can be as small as a crack that allows an arc to ground. Again these can be difficult to find. Best suggestion if you suspect an arc to ground is to search it out during dark condition. Sparks are much easier to see in next to no light conditions than in a day light environment.
Just some suggestions to try when the problem reoccurs.

marksmand · Oct 20, 2021

I hope it is not the mice! I have see them run out from time to time over the years when I start the tractor. I keep the hood up and always have traps around. No evidence of wiring damage is visible,
but it could be deep inside/behind the dash etc.
I took the cover off that is over the HST switch and cleaned and greased everything. Switch seems properly adjusted and I tested it several times.

marksmand · Oct 22, 2021

Just a follow up. Tractor runs perfectly and I've put it thru a good workout. Still do not
know what happened. I've been told the starter could be going, but no evidence of that.
Checked out a new starter and it's $900! Crazy!

CoyPatton · Oct 23, 2021

With the ignition/safety switch by-pass test you did, I do not believe you currently have a starter problem. It seems like you said it engaged readily and strong. Starter sounds like it is fine. Yes you had a no start condition in this test, but that is to be expected with the key off.
If memory serves correctly, prior to this test, you had a no crank issue (starter did not engage no turning of starter or of engine). This condition-no crank-is a failure of sufficient voltage through the ignition/safety switch system to engage the starter. This is usually with this system a non reaction—starter behaves as if key was never turned. No voltage going to solenoid.
The classic symptom of low voltage is a dragging starter or click depending on how low the voltage is.
If this returns an you can not find the issue, purchase a remote starter switch, this will more safely do the screwdriver part. You can be in the seat and make the jump using this switch. This is not intended to be a permanent fix, but does allow 1 person to do this safely.

marksmand · Oct 23, 2021

I think you are correct that there is no issue with the starter. I actually made my own remote
starter with s couple of alligator clips and an old spst push button switch. In addition I found out that
the tractor will stop when you are not moving and get out of the seat when you are in neutral, which
explains what happened to me
Also found this on a similar thread on Orange tractor. Some very useful info on L series not starting

<<First is the hourmeter showing any codes (P0606, etc)? If so, call the dealer. There isn't much you can do to them beyond basic stuff...everything else, requires kubota software and hardware.

No codes? Ok do this......

with the key OFF, hold down both of the buttons on the left side of the dash, both at the same time...for a few seconds. Then turn the key on. Look at your hourmeter it should say "A". Let off of those two buttons now. Now, push and hold the RIGHT button, and you'll hear a beep and the hourmeter lcd should show something like 1

with a number following 1

. Pay no attention to that, when you see 1: let off the right button and don't touch it no more. At this point you can AUDIBLY test every single safety switch's operation. They are all on-off switches. HST pedal switch. Move the pedal forward from neutral and you should hear a beep. Let it return to neutral and once it hits neutral you will hear a beep again. Repeat for reverse, then let it return to neutral, should beep. That lets you know the hst neutral switch is working properly. NO beep? Switch wire is off or switch is bad (two likeliest issues). Repeat for pto switch. engine off for all of the tests. Turn the pto "on" you outta hear a beep. Turn it off and it outta beep again. NO beeps, your pto switch is not sensing an on or off condition check wiring and check the switch to make sure one of them didn't fall off. Repeat again for hi-low range or forward-reverse shifter. Outta beep when it comes out of neutral. Repeat again for seat switch, outta beep when ou get out of the seat. Only other switch would be for parking brake and it is not on the start circuit. Neither is the seat switch. It should at least crank over regardless of whether you're on the seat or not. Once your done playing with the beeper and you have isolated your issue, turn the key off and fix your issue. When you restart, the hourmeter will return to normal.