L5030, will not start - SOLVED!

kentrodngun · Sep 30, 2024

Hi guys. I used the tractor last week mowing fields and a few days ago I took off the mower and put on a york rake to spread gravel. It worked fine. I shut it off and tried to start a few days ago. I got one click and nothing.
Just so you know what it is and what I've tried:
2007 L5030 Hydro with cab
Battery is dated Aug 2023 and holds 12.9 volts - I charged it anyway and used jump packs (just in case) and I also attached my big charger and tried with a 200amp start.
I have the service manual and have checked the Seat switch, PTO switch Clutch switch, Starter relay - all tested up to spec.
I pulled the starter and bench tested it. 12v to the Exciter makes the gear go in and out.
12v to the main lug and the Exciter makes it jump out and spin (strong)
I cleaned the mount face of the starter and the housing to ensure a good ground
I re-assembled and still have the same problem.
This is interesting though - I put a test light on the main lug - it is fed directly from the battery and lit the tester.
I left it attached, depressed the clutch, sat in the operators seat and turned the key. Just a click again BUT
the test light went out - no juice coming from the battery cable.
I tested the battery - 12v+ and after waiting a good amount of time the power was restored to the starter motor cable.
Attempting to start the machine again resulted in no power again to the cable coming from the battery.

I've never been more stumped and have thrown up arms up in disgust. Hoping there's a kind soul out there with an answer for me. I also have calls into Kubota but experience tells me there's a lot of knowledge right here (although I've been, and still am, a long time Kioti owner - amoung many other machines I own or service).

thclimer · Sep 30, 2024

I have heard you can have corrosion inside your battery cables that is difficult to see.

Are you able to use a set of jumper cables one from the positive battery post to where it connects to the starter which would simulate replacing that cable and do the same with negative post to your ground/frame.

kentrodngun · Sep 30, 2024

thclimer said:
I have heard you can have corrosion inside your battery cables that is difficult to see.

Are you able to use a set of jumper cables one from the positive battery post to where it connects to the starter which would simulate replacing that cable and do the same with negative post to your ground/frame.

I used a jump pack directly onto the lug on the starter, but no luck. Thanks for the thought though.

thclimer · Sep 30, 2024

That will definitely simulate your positive battery cable. Where did you put the negative clamp from the jump pack?

kentrodngun · Sep 30, 2024

thclimer said:
That will definitely simulate your positive battery cable. Where did you put the negative clamp from the jump pack?

on the step on the frame - good, tested ground

thclimer · Sep 30, 2024

Very good, hopefully others will reply with some suggestions.

kentrodngun · Sep 30, 2024

So, I broke down and called Marshal Machinery in Honesdale PA where I buy a lot of my parts. I explained situation in the detail I provided here and they were kind of stumped. They said they'd have a technician call me back. Nick called and I re-explained the situation. He seemed puzzled as I did everything they'd do. He said he would call me back in 20 or 30 minutes so he could research, look at diagrams and speak to other techs. I was starting to lose hope but he did call back and said consensus pointed to a bad power supply from the battery, either the ground or the power cable. Given my test light results, they suspected the ground. So I went up half-heartedly, took off the ground wire, cleaned it up on my wire wheel along with the rusted mounting bolt. I put it all back together, held my breath and hit the key - she started right up!!! So that enough for today - tomorrow I'll put back the dash, steering panel covers, etc. PHEW !!
I guess I over complicated a basic, easy fix. Oh well. Thanks for looking guys and have a good week.

thclimer · Oct 1, 2024

More often than not its the simple stuff!

kentrodngun · Oct 1, 2024

thclimer said:
More often than not its the simple stuff!

I used it to clear debris around the pond that I dug out with the backhoe. Just brought it up to wash off the mud. Shut it off, had lunch, won't start again. This time it turned out to be the positive cable which used one of those crappy grote connectors (see pic) the bolts loosened and the cable was barely holding. Cleaned it up, put it back on and all is well.