My JD3103 Starter Relay smoke - please help replace it

cangiupsuatractor · Oct 19, 2012

I. Here is what happening:
1. Battery bad.
2. removed battery.
3. hold up charger directly to + and - cable.
4. start the engine once (did not start)
5. buy new battery, installed it. the engine cranking but no start even though the ignition key is at off position. disconnect the battery.
6. disconnect the wire from ignition (starter relay?) to the starter.
7. connect battery. After 2 minutes i see smoke comes out at the starter relay.
II. Need help:
1. what is wrong with my JD5103?
2. look like starter relay shorted. if that is true, should I buy and replace it or bring to tractor to the dealer?

III. I am new to this, so please forgive me.

thanks
Andrew

cangiupsuatractor · Oct 19, 2012

It is JD 5103 instead of JD3103.
Thanks

JD5210 · Oct 19, 2012

Are you blowing any fuses? And does the fuse blow as soon as you turn the key?

If yes, to both questions, I believe the problem is the thermistor sensor. On the thermostat housing there is a sensor that is connected to a two wire harness that goes to the injection pump; this is the "cold start advance" portion of the system so it starts easier when cold by advancing the timing.

If you disconnect the sensor and it works fine ohm test the sensor, probably shorted.

The sensor on the thermostat housing controls the advance on the injection pump. When it fails it shorts out and blows the fuse. Try unplugging it, replace fuse and see if it starts and runs. The part # is RE503242, if you are quick changing it, you don't have to drain the coolant, just make sure it's not hot at the time. You will want a pan under the tractor to catch the coolant, so as not too have to clean it up.

You may need to re-prime the fuel system, if it still does not start

To comply with the exhaust emissions regulation, the timing of injection pump should be around 6 to 9 degrees before TDC. These timing values do not allow proper start-up operations when engine is cold. To ease engine start-up, a cold advance system gives to the injection pump a temporary over-timing.

When coolant temperature is below 50ｰC (122ｰF), the solenoid valve is activated and opens the cold advance circuit.

My tractor (5210) has a relay which keeps the fuel solenoid from opening, if you connect a wire directly to the starter to keep it from starting. I am guess yours is the same and that is when trying to start it the way you are doing will not work.

Also if you have no smoke, you are not getting any fuel, which would again confirm what I think is wrong.

URL to JD parts
jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt

Zebrafive · Oct 19, 2012

cangiupsuatractor said:
I. Here is what happening:

5. buy new battery, installed it. the engine cranking but no start even though the ignition key is at off position. disconnect the battery.

7. connect battery. After 2 minutes i see smoke comes out at the starter relay.
II. Need help:
1. what is wrong with my JD5103?
2. look like starter relay shorted. if that is true, should I buy and replace it or bring to tractor to the dealer?

III. I am new to this, so please forgive me.

thanks
Andrew

From #5 you say connecting the new battery caused the starter to turn the engine, but no start and the key was OFF? Sounds like the starter relay is stuck/burned "ON"

From #7 you say the relay is smoking after two minutes. Sounds like the relay is shorted or not meant to be "ON" continuously.

I would start with a new relay and see what happens.

cangiupsuatractor · Oct 21, 2012

It turns out the wires that connect to Starter Relay burn and short together. I would appreciate very much for any help locating this part and how to replace it.