No lights or dash electronics - CK27 2010

[outsidezion]

Actually a Bobcat CT225: My lights went out tonight. Also, my dashboard electronics sometimes flicker, do not come on, or shut off entirely.

If I turn my lights on now, I get NO lights and my dashboard goes off. When I turn the lights off, my dashboard comes on.

I seem to remember a similar issues with my DK40 many years ago but can't remember the fix. I think I ended up taking it to the shop.

Any ideas?

(fuses are all good.)

 

[murphy1244]

Check grounds and the big fuse in line. Start at the Battery cables. Get your Volt Meter out too.

 

[rider7767]

I agree with Murph. It sure acts like a bad ground. If it is the original battery, it could be a complete failure of the battery, but trouble shoot the ground wire on both ends plus the middle first.

 

[SSdoxie]

I've heard of this a couple times. Inspect the Switched Power Relay. Relay could have loose connection internally or loose wire connection going into the relay.

 

[outsidezion]

I've heard of this a couple times. Inspect the Switched Power Relay. Relay could have loose connection internally or loose wire connection going into the relay.

I'm going to check out both today. I will search the Switched Power Relay. Any idea where it is exactly?

 

[SSdoxie]

Your Operator manual should show the location. If they put it in same place as the Bobcat, it is on the fire wall just in front of the fuel tank. It is supposed to be the 1 farthest to outside, but sometimes someone at factory get the harness plugs crossed on it is second 1 in. On mine there are 4 relays there and all the same so you could try swapping the plugs to see if problem changes to another circuit.

 

[outsidezion]

I pulled the battery ground off - there was a small crack in the terminal side but it shouldn't have hindered anything. Piece of junk though - two littler copper "rings" and very little contact to the terminal. I replaced the entire cable with a heavy gauge I had laying around. Took the grinder to the frame bolt hole, sanded all metal bits, and reinstalled w/ battery lube.

Still no luck. I took the two relays off that are mounted right by the battery. I re-lubed the plugs - still no luck. I swapped them around twice and shut the tractor down a couple of times. Upon the last restart with everything in the correct place - everything worked like a charm.

So I don't know exactly what was going on but it had something to do with the front relays and/or battery ground. The relays are grounded at the battery ground too.

I can't get the issue to repeat itself so who knows. If it does, I am just going to buy two new relays.

Thanks for all your input. Wouldn't have know where to start without you guys.

 

[outsidezion]

Alright, so after replacing the ground, cleaning connections points, and now, today, a new battery, my flickering dash/lights are now completely non-existent. I got them to work when I was messing with the ground when I fiddled with the two relays by the battery. I've attached pictures of those relays as well as 1 on the engine wall. The CK27 parts lookup says there are three of these relays at the battery (my bobcat ct225 has two) and that they are for the hi-low beams. If I replace 1 or both of these relays at the battery, do you think this could be the problem.