M7030 electrical problem

[bsekf]

I have found a small parasitic drain (short), so I looked at the fuse block and found a zip tie holding it together. Eureka moment! I'll bet that's where my drain (short) is. Off to the Kubota dealer to see if I can look at a parts picture and schematic to see what it is supposed to look like and see if I can order a new one. Then I look for a electrical mechanic! Hate to tear into it since the tractor works, just no idiot lights. Alternator, glow plugs, temp. gauge, fuel gauge and switch work. I can always just disconnect the battery terminal. Anybody been down this road?

Bill

 

[Doughknob]

Is it straight and narrow?

 

[JohnnyRoy]

Try attaching a multimeter to the fully charged battery.
While attached is the drain noticeable?
If so, remove fuses one at a time and observe if the drain stops.
If you find the leaking circuit you can then trace the wiring to find the problem.
Sometimes, the faulty circuit may not be fused and the leak will be more difficult to find.
I've found bad ignition switches to cause drains.
Hopefully it's not a dark road you're about to travel.
Good luck.

 

[bsekf]

With the meter set on 200ma, there is a 1.5 drain.

New fuse panel is $125, but they are available! No guarantee that is where the short is. I am going to fool with it, but a battery disconnect may be the easy way to go. Would like the oil pressure idiot light.

 

[Roadworthy]

Determine the rate of drain. Ask the dealer or his mechanic what's normal. Some machines may have a slight drain to keep the electronics energized. "Back in the day" there was a drain for cars with clocks. Of course a disconnect may not be a bad idea.

 

[JohnnyRoy]

With the meter set on 200ma, there is a 1.5 drain.

New fuse panel is $125, but they are available! No guarantee that is where the short is. I am going to fool with it, but a battery disconnect may be the easy way to go. Would like the oil pressure idiot light.

Set the multimeter to 20 DC voltage.
Check for battery drain.

 

[bsekf]

Looks like I have a 1.5 ma drain when the multimeter scale is 200. That is not much and doesn't make the test light even glimmer. However, it is enough to draw the battery down 3 volts in 3-4 days. I am guessing I have a bad battery. I am going to make a "redneck" repair. Put a switch on the Neg. battery terminal and see what happens. In my experimenting, I found the battery stayed charged (12.8 v) with the neg. terminal removed.

Fun WOW!

Bill

 

[bsekf]

Guess I am snake bit! Been checking voltage and it was all over.... discovered the multimeter was faulty, got a new one and am back to square one with my experiment. Got the battery switch and it was faulty, would not let current through when it was closed. Right now, with the battery disconnected, the voltage is staying at 12.75v. Life is not simple!