General Lee
Veteran Member
Haven't forgot about you guys, just haven't had much time to investigate further. I did spend about 45 minutes going through some things before dark this evening. Got a new test light coming tomorrow. I'd like to figure this out on my own if I can before I ship it to the dealer. This tractor only has about 170 hours on it being 12 years old. Battery is showing 12 volts as it sits, a little weak I know but its the original battery. I've placed a fully charged jump pack on the battery for a boost in volts and still no crank with the key turned to start, just glow plugs clicking. Without the jump pack hooked up, tractor starts fine jumping the starter solenoid on the original battery.I support the idea of temporarily bypassing some of those safety switches, especially all of them at once, like the "hard start" thing does. However, there are several easy, no-cost tests you cannperform first, if one knows how or can be coached thru the process.
To test if the solenoid is being energized, hook one wire of your tester (voltmeter or test light) to a good ground. Touch the other end to the big starter terminal right there on the starter. This is a "test the tester first" strategy I follow. If the meter or light reacts, then un hook that lead and hook it to the small "energizer" terminal on the starter solenoid. Then hit the key. The meter or light should indicate the presence of power at the energizer terminal.
If power is present when you twist the key, you can pretty much assume that all the safety switches and the key switch itself is OK.
If no power is present when you twist the key, then we will go further into some tests you can do easily, and probably learn some basics to help yourself out next time.
Pulled the ignition switch out without taking the dash apart. Could only see so much but no obvious corrosion. Unplugged the safety seat switch and got ZERO clicks with the key. No glow plug clicks, nothing. plugged it back in and the glow plug clicks returned. Battery terminals and ground are tight. Looked at the 40amp key start fuse next to battery, have no idea what that fuse looks like blown, not familiar with that type of fuse at all.
This tractor is the L4400D....Hydro tranny with a clutch and electric PTO engagement lever. I'm wondering if the Neutral safety switch located above the clutch pedal is bad. When you push the clutch pedal (required to start) it makes contact with a plunger style switch. I can see if this failed, it would cause a no start. Not sure how to test it though. Probably would have to remove it and check the Ohms.
I'm hoping I'll have some time tomorrow afternoon to check the voltage to the starter solenoid. Also I looked for a safety switch for the hydro pedal. Didn't see one, just the one above the clutch pedal.