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

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

There should be a safety switch on the clutch pedal and one on the PTO lever. If you know how to jump the starter solonoid (just make sure all of the tractor shifters in neutral so you don't get yourself run over) and the tractor turns over, that will rule out the battery and battery connection problems. Then your problem will most likely be safety switches, ignition switch or wire disconnected.

 

[POC]

I searched and searched for a switch on the clutch pedal and couldn't find it. I referenced my manuals also. Can you point me in the right direction?
I have the "shuttle shift", I'm pretty sure there is a switch on the "F-R" lever. The PTO was disengaged when I parked the tractor, so I'm assuming that switch is in the right position.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

You are probably correct about your switch being on the shuttle shifter. Most of the models I have sold are hydro's, and the switch is on the clutch pedal. Did you try jumping the starter solonoid? If you put a jumper wire across the plug that goes to your safety switches and it starts, that would indicate that switch is bad or you had a poor electrical connection to it. Let us know what you find.

 

[POC]

I've jumped it with the car, nothing. Checked the safety switches, they are good. Shorted across the starter, it spins, but doesn't engage the engine.
There are 4 solenoids under the "dash", when I turn the key one of them clicks.
I'm kinda at the end of my rope, I don't have any idea what to do next.
Any ideas? Please!!
Thanks,
Patrick

 

[Soundguy]

so you shorted across the big bat lug to the starter power lug.. but did you energize the bendix?

soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

I've jumped it with the car, nothing. Checked the safety switches, they are good. Shorted across the starter, it spins, but doesn't engage the engine.
There are 4 solenoids under the "dash", when I turn the key one of them clicks.
I'm kinda at the end of my rope, I don't have any idea what to do next.
Any ideas? Please!!
Thanks,
Patrick

Patrick, initially, you posted you turned the key and had nothing (meaning no sound of the starter). This post you indicate the starter turns if you short between the posts.
It sounds like your bendix may be sticking. You can try rapping the starter body with a mallet. But if the bendix isn't coming out, it's time for a starter rebuild.
So, when you first turn the key, is there any sound (such as the starter spinning) at all?
Just for giggles, try towing the tractor (in a higher gear, clutch down) and popping the clutch. Never did this with a tractor, but it sure works good with a car or truck.

 

[wedge40]

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.....

ya mean like the rest of this week?

Wedge

 

[POC]

Soundguy-I don't know how to "energize the bendix". I just put pliers from the one big lug to the other one.

Roy-The only thing that happens when I turn the key is a relay click (It's under the "dash", I can't find anything in my manual to tell me what they (there are 4 relays) all do. I don't know if I can get the tractor from where it is (in the swampy yard) with the FEL on the ground, anywhere to tow it.

Wedge-it is warmer-ish here, at least above freezing....

BTW: this tractor only has 91 hrs on it.

Patrick

 

[POC]

Alright, thanks to you guys (and a page about VW buses....) I got it running!

I figured out that I had to short the starter and the solenoid (bendix?), it turned right over. I had to turn on the key, and then after shorting it started running. I let it run a couple of minutes then turned it off. Then I turned the key and it fired right up.
I guess "something" must've been "just wrong" and it wouldn't engage the solenoid.
Now I can go cut some wood....if I can get the chainsaw started......

Thanks everyone for their input and questions.

Patrick

 

[mikefromnh]

My tractor has a solenoid for the starter that must have a little moisture in it. Every know and then the same thing happens for me -- no start, lights on, safety switches all set.

When it happens (usually after freezing rain, or high wind w/ freezing temps) I just pull the solenoid and bring it inside for five minutes, it thaws and everything is good again