Mahindra won't start, but....

[POC]

The lights on the dash come on, but when I turn the key. Nothing.
I've checked and double checked all levers and buttons are in the "off" position.
The tractor lives outside and temps have been in the "teens" for the last several days. But I would've thought it would've done SOMETHING!

TIA
Patrick

 

[Iangb]

My first check would be the battery terminals........clean and tight.

 

[POC]

My first check would be the battery terminals........clean and tight.

That will mean going back out in the snow! They were on, the positive has corrosion on it, but it always has, since it was new....

I'll give that a try.
Thanks!

 

[dex3361]

If your tractor has safety switches check the al and maybe operate them a few times, they tend to stick when it gets cold and especially when left outside. My tractor has one on the seat, HST pedal, gear shift, clutch pedal, and if they are stuck you will likely get no engine turning even though you have all of the lights.

 

[George2615]

If it doesn't crank over then as mentioned its probably the battery (or cable connections), starter, solenoid, or a safety switch. my guess would be safety switch.

If it does crank over but won't start and temps have been in the teens the fuel may have gelled. Check the filter for a waxy looking fuel. If its gelled you'll need to heat it up with a salamander or heater.

 

[POC]

Doesn't crank over, at all.
Battery cleaned.
No safety switch on the seat, the only one I know of is on the "Fwd-Rev" lever, and I can hear it clicking. Didn't really want to try to take apart the plastic shroud of the "dash" since it was 20* today.....

I don't *have* to have it going, I was going to clean the driveway, but I got the car out without the tractor, I'll probably just wait till it warms up into the 40's.....

 

[RoyJackson]

Although your lights come on, that doesn't mean the battery has enough cold cranking amps to run the starter, so before tearing things apart, try to jump the tractor. If the battery is marginal, it'll draw down as soon as you turn the key to the start position. Also, as cold as it's been in the midwest, you may have a frozen battery. If the battery is more then two or three years old, it might be time for a new one. OEM batteries aren't always the best available.
You should hear a click when the starter is engaged. If you don't hear that click, and you're sure all the interlocks are OK (if a manual tranny, jiggle the stick when you're trying to start; if a hydro, push the pedals back and forth), the cable going from the battery to the starter might be cruded up or the starter's ground cable might be bad.

BTW, for ° symbol, hold the ALT key down and type in 0176 (ALT0176).

 

[George2615]

Doesn't crank over, at all.
Battery cleaned.
No safety switch on the seat, the only one I know of is on the "Fwd-Rev" lever, and I can hear it clicking. Didn't really want to try to take apart the plastic shroud of the "dash" since it was 20* today.....

I don't *have* to have it going, I was going to clean the driveway, but I got the car out without the tractor, I'll probably just wait till it warms up into the 40's.....

You have a rear PTO and maybe a mid PTO. Each have a safety switch.
Check those levers to make sure they are in the off position.

If you have a range selector (Low,Mid,High) there is a switch on it. Make sure it is in neutral position.

Then try to start again.

 

[POC]

I'm working the weekend, as always, so I'll try to figure it out on Monday. I think it's supposed to get up real warm, like in the 40's!!

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[Soundguy]

follow the volts.

after load testing the bat.. check for a trans and pto safety cutout.. you should/colud. loose power at one of them..

soundguy