Mahindra 4530 won't start, and driveway can't plow itself...

farmboyhull · Jan 3, 2014

Good morning gents, hope snow removal in the NE is working for everyone!

I've got a 4530 that's been working fine, recently. I had some rough starts a few weeks ago, so I've been plugging it in overnight for the last few starts. I can't tell you if this issue started at exactly the same time that I've been plugging in, but it's been close.

THe last few starts gave me a click when I turned the key to start (after glowing). One click. When I turned the key back, and then tried again it would turn over and run fine. Exhaust looked a little blue, but I'm not sure if it was any different than every other cold start. Plus, I added some anti-gel stuff recently.

This morning, I got no clicks and no starts. Glowed fine (a quicker glow than normal because it was plugged in), lights came on, etc. But when the key turns, nothing happens.

SOme extra info - I disconnected a couple things summer of 2012 and it's been running like that since then. Both were alarm things, as I recall. One piece is straight up disconnected (when I reconnected it this morning, I could hear a steady click under the dash, almost like the the clicking of a turn signal), and the other I had to patch. I had a piece of wire connecting each outside socket to each other. It's one of those 4 way blade type receivers - the black piece that used to connect got fried, so instead of getting anew one I just put the wire in - it's been great for a year and a half. It's right near my feet, and I have to be careful of it, and I figured I might have jostled it with the snow and all, but externally it looks fine and moving the wire around didn't do diddly.

When it didn't start this morning it was as if the shifter wasn't in neutral, the pto was on, or that wire was disengaged. It had that "I'm not starting because you broke something" kind of finality.

So. Any places to start? I probably won't be able (willing really. I'm at the point in my life where I'd rather pay someone to fix it) to do any fuel work, and my electrical skills are miserable. I do have some sort of helpful electrical tester somewhere, which could probably help. I'm just hoping someone will have the simple fix. But, isn't that what we always hope?

To top it off, both side panels and the hood are refusing to open, but I'll get in there if need be.

Calgon. Seriously.

Thanks.

This thread is in the Mahindra area as well, but figured this might get me more help, here. Feel free to respond to either.

poosniffer · Jan 3, 2014

Hi Calgon.Start with the basics.Make sure the battery is COMPLETELY charged.Also make sure the posts and connections on the battery are completely clean and lubed with dielectric grease.Good luck and please keep us posted.

farmboyhull · Jan 3, 2014

Hey, thanks.

I figured if I can turn on lights (and they're bright as ever) that it wasn't a battery problem, but more of a starter or connection problem. Obviously looking into that would be helpful, but isn't that a layman's version of ok?

wedge40 · Jan 3, 2014

Sounds like a safety switch someplace. Don't know your tractor, but I've been burnt with this many times. Once on my Cub Cadet lawn tractor and mulitpul times on the Ford 4000. On the 4000 I by0-passed the saftey switch. The cub, I must have accidently hit the pto. Wont start with PTO on.. That took about two days in freezing cold weather.

Wedge

Relic · Jan 3, 2014

Sounds like it could be a dead cell in the battery.Seen it happen in the past,lights work fine,go to start it,clickity,click,click, click,engine won't turn over.Like someone else has said,could be a safety switch that accidently got bumped.Good luck.

farmboyhull · Jan 3, 2014

I thought I replied to this, but obviously not. I was wondering if I jumped it if that would show whether it was a battery issue.

I tried jumping it, but that didn't make a difference.

It seems like there aren't many safety switches. I have two disconnected already. One is just disconnected (this is connected to the left arm of the pto. I think I disconnected it because it was beeping all the time.) and the other is disconnected form the safety switch, but I had to stick a wire in the female end so that it would allow the tractor to start. This is connected to the right arm of the pto.

Tracing the wires a bit, starting at the left rear of the tractor, I've got the reverse light that comes down to the left side of the seat. T'ed into that is that disconnected switch from the right arm of the pto. That electric line continues on to up near my left foot. t'ed into that is that safety switch from the left arm of the pto. That line continues on up into the dash.

I'm not so hot with electricity. But, if power can go to that reverse light, I kinda figured that meant both those safety switches were working. I just realized I could remove the wire and see if the reverse light would still work.

Anyone know of more safety switches? Or a way to supply power directly to the starter?

Thanks.

jimmysisson · Jan 3, 2014

When you turn on the headlights and try the starter, do the lights dim? If not, most likely a safety circuit. You can run a wire from battery hot to the solenoid energizer post on the starter, or just hold a screwdriver on the main batt terminal on the starter and move it so it contacts the small post as well. Be SURE you're in neutral first.
With the key switch in run position it should start, unless there's a problem in your safety sw wiring.
Good luck and be safe. And warm!
Jim

farmboyhull · Jan 3, 2014

Man is it cold out there!

I'm done for the night, and I may have learned nothing, but here's what was observed.

The lights didn't dim when I tried the starter.

There were two posts on the starter (at least, I think it was the starter!!)- a smaller one with a black rubber boot and a bigger one with a red, hard plastic boot. When I ran a wire from the positive terminal to the larger starter terminal, I got nothing. When I connected a wire between both starter terminals, I got nothing.

I did connect the larger starter terminal to the tractor frame (by accident) and both ends got hot, fast.

I'm going to try again tomorrow, because I think my wire (smallish jumper cables) connections are fried.

More ideas?

Thanks very much, fellas. I do hate this in many ways.
David

redgreen · Jan 3, 2014

Have you tried to tap the starter with a hammer sometimes it knocks the carbon of the brushes and it will turn over just a thought.

farmboyhull · Jan 5, 2014

Good Afternoon!

Well, I fiddled a bunch this morning. What a beautiful day! Much better than that cold the last few days. I fiddled, and fiddled some more, and finally called it quits. As I was putting some of the pieces back on before closing the hood, I saw the fusebox. Seriously, I hadn't thought about the fuse. You can probably guess where this is going...

Swapped in a new one, and it started right up. Jeez.

Thanks for the help.

David