Mahindra Max28 won't start

[Ljohnson]

I have a Mahindra Max28 that won't start. When I turn on the key the glow plug light doesn't come or right away. It finally comes on then goes off but when I try to start the tractor
nothing happens. I'm in the process of looking for bad connections. My battery is fully charged. If anyone has any ideas I appreciate hearing from you.

 

[jaydee325]

Electrical trouble shooting 101: Start with a known good fully charged and load tested battery. Not starting with that can cause much frustration and wasted time.

When you say your battery is fully charged, what are you basing that on? A fully charged battery will read greater than or equal to 12.6 volts. Also, a battery can show adequate voltage and still not be able to carry a load. Only way to know is get your battery load tested. Any big box auto service center or parts store will load test for free.

 

[Texasmark]

When you said "it finally comes on", that suggests dead battery to support the rest of your post. Take the battery to a battery selling store and have it load tested....if you don't they will know what to do in making the test.

Once verified as good, reinstall and check your safety interlocks, like PTO on, seat switch, clutch in, shifter in N, type things. Wiggle the levers around as sometimes when things get some time on them the plungers that deactivate the safety interlocks get worn and no longer make contact. If no help there, ensure that your shifter is in N and find the starting solenoid, maybe on top of the starter.

Get a pair of common pliers (for a readily available tool that works) and short across the high current stud terminals on the solenoid....expect sparks. If the engine rolls over, you either have a safety switch not closing, or the solenoid is not closing, or if it is, the internal contacts are pitted and can't carry the necessary current to roll your engine.

 

[Ljohnson]

Thanks for the input. Will get the battery tested first.

 

[Mauser12]

I had one of these with the same problem. I had to jump from the battery to the glowplugs to get it to start. The problem ended up being plastic connectors on the wiring harness. Mahindra evidently has a problem with the plastic. The fix was to wire in new connectors. Good luck.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'll suggest to clean &/or tighten all 4(four) battery cable connections