MX5100 won't Start

[CJBOTA]

My MX5100 is 3 years old and I have had this problem 3 or 4 times before. It is HST drive and something happens with the forward / reverse pedal and it doesn't make home position which won't permit it to start. Sometimes you tap it with your heel or toe and it will start. I usually have the dealer check it when I have it serviced. This is starting to be a real pain in the a%#. I had a lot to do today But I couldn't get the thing to start At all. I don't know if the dealer adjusts something or lubes something but I don't have another problem for about 100 hours after they service it. Has anybody else had this problem. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow but I want to learn how to deal with this myself. I really like this tractor and it has exceeded my expectations but this repetitive starting issue Is getting to be a real problem.

 

[dstig1]

Have you tried moving the pedal with your foot as you try to crank? Just a little in each direction. It may just need to be adjusted to hit the neutral position again. s to why it drifts, i do not know, but if you find that to be the case a dab of blue loctite might be in order.

 

[wmonroe]

My L doesn't have a grease zerk on the hst pedal but you might be able to lube it with a dry type lubricant.

Just to check the other things too. Was the clutch all the way in and the pto turned to off?

 

[ritschner]

I am not sure where it is on the MX but on the L series the switch is under the dash to the left of the ignition switch, so on your tractor you need to follow the secondary linkage on the HST pedal to find it. The switch is threaded and can be adjusted to not be quite as sensitive to pedal position. When the pedal is centered the switch is depressed to allow starter engagement, as the pedal moves off center in either direction the L-shaped bracket moves away from and disengages the switch. The switch just needs to be adjusted closer to the L-bracket. I am sure the dealer has a specific procedure to adjust the switch to allow it to work, but only for minimum engagement at center of pedal travel due to liability concerns. The problem is that any wear on the switch, bracket, linkage, or misalignment of the pedal will cause a no-start. Make sure when you adjust the switch the pedal is centered and you do not bottom the switch on the bracket. Since I go by the local dealer regularly, I will see if they have an MX w/HST on the lot and see if I can locate the switch.

 

[crystallake]

I have had the same problem and the fix is simple but hard to explain. The HST linkage under the pedal actually moves several connections under the floorboard. Look on the left side, opposite the pedal for a switch that the linkage moves, adjust so switch is engaged while pedal is in neutral position. Has two nuts, one a lock nut. Wish I could show you, 5 min job.

 

[ritschner]

I have had the same problem and the fix is simple but hard to explain. The HST linkage under the pedal actually moves several connections under the floorboard. Look on the left side, opposite the pedal for a switch that the linkage moves, adjust so switch is engaged while pedal is in neutral position. Has two nuts, one a lock nut. Wish I could show you, 5 min job.

There you go. Always nice to have someone chime that knows where to find the switch. Thanks!

 

[wmonroe]

I have had the same problem and the fix is simple but hard to explain. The HST linkage under the pedal actually moves several connections under the floorboard. Look on the left side, opposite the pedal for a switch that the linkage moves, adjust so switch is engaged while pedal is in neutral position. Has two nuts, one a lock nut. Wish I could show you, 5 min job.

Welcome to TBN! Very helpful first post. Do you have a picture of the switch? I haven't had to adjust it on mine yet but the day is probably coming.

 

[crystallake]

Sorry, rained all weekend and did not go to farm. Ill try to get picture posted next weekend. Just follow linkage, have someone wiggle foot pedal, you will see it.

 

[Johnret]

My MX5100 does the same thing, so far all I have had to do is tap the pedal forward to get it to start. I am guessing eventually I'll have to make the adjustment to the switch...

 

[Johnret]

MX5100 won't Start Problem solved

My MX5100 does the same thing, so far all I have had to do is tap the pedal forward to get it to start. I am guessing eventually I'll have to make the adjustment to the switch...

So, finally had to make this adjustment to the Hydro Transmission neutral cut out switch. The Hydro switch on the MX5100 is under the left floor board slightly behind the Filter. There is a little plunger that has to push into the switch to close the switch. All I did was disconnect the switch, loosen the locking nut, spin the hole switch assembly toward the plunger. Tighten the locking nut, reconnect the switch to the wiring harness. Worked great. No more problem. Did call dealer, new switch would have set me back 50.00. Hope this helps someone else.

 

[crystallake]

Re: MX5100 won't Start Problem solved

Going to revise this post. Now I am having this problem----The switch itself when activated by the plunger seperates, the black plastic part where electrical wires attach pops out of the metal holder. I put some silicone on it today and hope this fixed it. Anyone had this problem and if so what did you do to make the switch stay in?

 

[Code54]

I had a similar issue after about 2 years (only problem ever on my 5100) - ended up getting a new switch (took it off and dealer swapped it out with a new one under warranty). Put it on and never had another problem in the last 4 years. I would just replace it and be done with it.

 

[crystallake]

Thank you. Does the switch unplug from the wiring harness, do you remember? Im not at the tractor to look.

 

[Code54]

Yes - If I recall it took me about 10 minutes to switch it out from start to finish (as in getting the tools included).
Was quick and easy and still working perfect to this day. Good luck

 

[crystallake]

Got new switch, ten min deal. Thanks for the good advice.

 

[LD1]

Havent had a switch problem with mine, but I got intimately familiar with that setup about 6 months ago when it stranded me in the woods.

There is a hole in a bracket that the plunger goes in that actuates the switch.

A stick got jammed in there and over-extended the plunger and it was no longer in the bracket.

In the woods, getting dark, and no time to fool with it, but knew I had an issue with a safety somewhere, as I had been running the tractor all day, off and on, and knew it wasnt a battery. Either a darn safety or something in the switch.

I just keyed on, made sure everything was neutral, and used my multi-tool pliers to jumper the solenoid of the starter to the hot post on the starter. Dealt with the issue the next day.

Not advising anyone to jumper a starter.....but understanding how these machines operate can save a long walk home sometimes.

 

[Bill William]

Im having a similar problem with my MX 5100. Got on it tonight turned the key And NOTHING. Mine is a 2013 but only has like 600 hours on it and has been kept covered. How do I get to this switch yall are talking about? I also wondered if it could be my battery. But the lights work, and its not even trying to start. I did a load test and it does show to be weak. Its registering around 11 to 12 volts under load tester. And I do see a slight bulge on the right side.

 

[Fallon]

Im having a similar problem with my MX 5100. Got on it tonight turned the key And NOTHING. Mine is a 2013 but only has like 600 hours on it and has been kept covered. How do I get to this switch yall are talking about? I also wondered if it could be my battery. But the lights work, and its not even trying to start. I did a load test and it does show to be weak. Its registering around 11 to 12 volts under load tester. And I do see a slight bulge on the right side.

No click means the starter relay isnt engaging. Bad battery or loose/corroded ground is a possibility even with the lights working. But lights working & the relay not even clicking makes that a little less likely. A bad or out of adjustment safety switch is a bit more likely. There are safety switches under the seat, on the PTO switch (or lever), on the go pedal (HST only) & on the clutch. You'll need to follow the wires & look in the appropriate places to find them. Check with a multimeter. Probably easiest to check both ends of the battery cable (loosen, clean, tighten) before getting a multimeter & checking the safety switches. A workshop manual will have a wiring diagram & diagnostic test procedures to narrow down a test process. Makes things so much easier.

 

[rbtjr]

Great thread. For a few weeks our MX5800 has been intermittently hard to start. This has been happening only after it has been running for a while and has been shut down. I figured it was related to an electrical interlink. However, I discovered that sometimes removing the hydraulic pressure by lowering the FEL and the 3PH all the way down allowed the tractor to start. I figured that the hydraulic pressure must be playing a role in the problem. Then I saw this thread. Today the tractor wouldn't start after it had been running for a while and was shut down. I turned the ignition key all the way to "start" and then gently rocked the HST pedal back and forth one time and the tractor started. That seems to indicate that our MX has the same issue as described above with the interlink activated by the HST being in neutral. I'll look at the switch and the linkage. Thanks for the info in this thread.

 

[leveled]

I have had the same problem and the fix is simple but hard to explain. The HST linkage under the pedal actually moves several connections under the floorboard. Look on the left side, opposite the pedal for a switch that the linkage moves, adjust so switch is engaged while pedal is in neutral position. Has two nuts, one a lock nut. Wish I could show you, 5 min job.

Great advise this fixed my problem. Thank you.