More troubles....and this time its my fault

Frank Sorbello · Jun 16, 2013

I had been working on my tractor in my barn the last few months, trying to get it 'work ready'. I have a punch list that I had been working on with some things more important than others. Last night a friend asked if he could borrow my pt-422 to move some dirt with the FEL. No problem. I bring it over to his house this morning. A couple hours later I get a call its dead. Hurry over. I find one of the things I needed to do on my punch list caused a major problem. I didn't have a battery holder/bracket. The battery slid up towards the engine and shorted out. The positive terminal arced pretty bad. The red wire going to the voltage regulator melted at the terminal.

I turn the key, not even a click.
I put a voltmeter on the battery post and was reading 10.4 volts, however that isn't under a load.
I put a screwdriver from the negative terminal to the positive post to see if there was any juice. Nothing not even a spark.

This is totally my fault. I should have made a bracket when I put the battery in, but I was having trouble starting at the time and got put on the back burner.

Any suggestions how I should handle from here would be appreciated.

oh and happy fathers day to all

Clint S · Jun 16, 2013

Replace the wire(s). Make the bracket. Charge the battery. Give it a try.

BobRip · Jun 16, 2013

Clint S said:
Replace the wire(s). Make the bracket. Charge the battery. Give it a try.

I agree, but the regulator is probable fried. Sorry about your problem. We all make mistakes. I guess you should be glad it did not catch on fire.

Frank Sorbello · Jun 16, 2013

How do I check the voltage regulator? I was trying to find a replacement on Jacks Small Engines. I don't have any numbers on it yet.
I sure hope it isn't fried.

I was hoping there was a fuse somewhere, but couldn't find one.

I wouldn't be so mad at myself if it was in my barn, so I could work on it. It is at a friend's house in his front yard behind a pile of dirt. No good way to tow it out.

BobRip · Jun 16, 2013

Frank Sorbello said:
How do I check the voltage regulator? I was trying to find a replacement on Jacks Small Engines. I don't have any numbers on it yet.
I sure hope it isn't fried.

I was hoping there was a fuse somewhere, but couldn't find one.

I wouldn't be so mad at myself if it was in my barn, so I could work on it. It is at a friend's house in his front yard behind a pile of dirt. No good way to tow it out.

Once you get the engine running, check the battery voltage. It should be above 13.8 volts with the engine at full throttle and the lights on. Then stop the engine, disconnect the positive terminal lead and check the current from between the battery terminal and lead with everything turned off. It should be low, I would guess less than 5 mAmps.

Clumber · Jun 17, 2013

Frank Sorbello said:
How do I check the voltage regulator? I was trying to find a replacement on Jacks Small Engines. I don't have any numbers on it yet.
I sure hope it isn't fried.

I was hoping there was a fuse somewhere, but couldn't find one.

I wouldn't be so mad at myself if it was in my barn, so I could work on it. It is at a friend's house in his front yard behind a pile of dirt. No good way to tow it out.

Note: The PT should not be towed without bypassing the pumps. I think that overheating could occur causing more damage. Your configuration may be different but the following thread may help if you need to tow.

MossRoad · Jun 20, 2013

Bummer Frank.
Have you tried just taking the battery out and jump starting it off of a known good battery?
Maybe you'll get lucky and only the battery got toasted?

ponytug · Jun 21, 2013

I'm with MR. Try wiring in a good battery, and see if it starts/runs/charges. Just make really sure you can't short the positive hookup to the frame...

All the best,

Peter

Frank Sorbello · Jun 23, 2013

I have it running now. I fried the battery. Replaced the positive cable. I need to spend considerable time with it though before it will be ready for work. I did see a machine a few years older than mine the other day. It was a 2003 pt422. Looked like brand me machine compared to the one I have. Hopefully in time I will have it running smoothly and looking good.
Thanks for all your help