My tractor died UPDATE #2

[sea2summit]

It sat for about an hour in the cool barn, fluids are OK. The battery was the first thing I checked. It's only about 3 months old, the terminals are tight, and no corrosion. When I try to start it the dash lights up like it normally does, solenoids click on the engine like normal, but no starter. The connections on the starter are tight, and all the electrical plugs I could find are tight. I jiggled the PTO lever, the treadle, and the gear selector lever, no difference. It almost has to be one of the safety switches, but I haven't found one of them loose or disconnected. Thanks for the ideas everyone.

Joe

Like someone else said, bad ground at the battery is probably your issue.

 

[sea2summit]

Ah Ha ! So it is clicking when you try to start. I'm fairly sure I know the problem. I did not realize that these 2650's could have the same issue as is pretty darn common with the smaller BX series. Your problem is not getting the full robust 12v to the solenoid. There are several ways to prove it (and to start the tractor.) First (easiest) hook a batt charger to the battery which means you have 13.8v there instead of 12v & it will probably start right up. Has nothing to do with the battery. Somewhere in the chain of safety gadgets you are losing voltage be it at cable connections or one or more of the safeties. Second way is to run any clip ended jumper between the battery positive term and the solenoid input wire (may have to strip it a bit to connect.) Touch that clip lead to the solenoid input wire with the start switch in run mode. It should crank then.
There are several threads and many posts about this disease. I am told that Deere sells a relay kit to bypass all the various voltage drops and put solid 12v to the solenoid. It happens with their small machines too. These relay solutions use the weakened "not quite 12v" headed normally for the solenoid and then use that weakened voltage to trigger the relay with a hot line direct from the battery. If you are interested (after proving to yourself that is the problem) get back to me and I will post a circuit diagram that produces a permanent fix using any handy relay. The neatest fix I've seen however is one guy simply wired up a start button bypassing all the safeties, etc. and putting 12v direct to the solenoid input wire. Who among us really uses the key for fending off thieves anyway ?

OBTW I have had this happen many times on my BX2200 -- get off it and stop the engine to go do something and come back to find it won't start.

Or the ground strap

 

[newbury]

Try JWR's solution.
On my M4700 I had a battery that showed over 12 volts. It would kick the solenoid on, but not turnover the engine. I took it into a NAPA dealer, he tested it twice showed fine, then tested it again and it showed dead. Replaced the battery, everythings fine.

 

[DieselBound]

VERIFY all the fuses are good: well, the ones associated with starting. I had an issue with my B7800 in which the fuse LOOKED good but turned out to be bad. Fuel solenoid will click and everything seem fine but no power to the starter solenoid (due to bad fuse).

 

[BubbaJr]

I posted this as an update to my original post, but I'll repeat it here in case anyone missed it. I thank all of you for your suggestions.

Jacob came and did several tests to find the problem, and succeeded. Several years ago I had a similar issue and it was traced to the treadle safety switch. It was replaced under warranty at that time, and everything was good until yesterday. Jacob found that the safety switch had migrated back to the point that it no longer could make contact with the linkage. He reset it tightened it down and all is well. I just finished mowing without any issues.

 

[fried1765]

Try JWR's solution.
On my M4700 I had a battery that showed over 12 volts. It would kick the solenoid on, but not turnover the engine. I took it into a NAPA dealer, he tested it twice showed fine, then tested it again and it showed dead. Replaced the battery, everythings fine.

You might consider buying a 500 amp battery load tester.
I have 16 batteries, and at 80, I am too old to pull batteries, to haul them in for testing
I just bought a Clore (brand) 500 amp load tester.
Clore 500 amp carbon pile load tester = $70.86 on Amazon.
Nice little unit.

 

[Mudfarmer]

Yup. In my opinion and experience if the battery is good, you turn the key, and absolutely nothing happens, no sound, no nothing, another Kubota safety switch has bit the dust.

 

[BubbaJr]

Guys, it's been repaired. Look at my post above.

Joe

 

[JWR]

Guys, it's been repaired. Look at my post above.

Joe

Yep, glad you had a good outcome. As your tone of verbs suggest this thread could stand to be shut down... but some horses are never too dead to beat.

 

[BubbaJr]

You are reading something into my post that was never my intent. I was just trying to let them know that the issue had been resolved, that's all.

Joe