odd occurance starting ck20

wade simpson · Jul 12, 2010

This weekend tractor worked fine, even in the pouring rain, go fiqure !! Electrical stuff is a mystery to me. I've seen stuff like this at work, one day no power flowing at all, electrical guys testing, poking around with meters, finally give up and next day thing works fine, nothing seems to have changed but something must have.
Maybe it knew I really needed it that day and just wanted to let me know who's the boss.(smile)

LaVoie Equipment · Jul 12, 2010

Wade: I have replaced a few key switches in my time. Replace your switch and stop letting it bother you. If your tractor is new - the dealer can replace it under warranty......

Tony

wade simpson · Jul 13, 2010

Do you figure it will just occur again, better to fix it now ?

Gittyup · Jul 13, 2010

Though I'm not convinced it's the switch in your case (usually giggling will get results and you haven't had that kind of behavior), if it's not too inconvenient, I'd get a new switch, just in case. Though I don't think the new switch is of any better quality as I haven't heard of any changes that would improve its reliability. Still worth doing, or at least getting a switch in-hand to change out yourself when it happens again, if the dealer will go along with that.

stihlgoin · Jul 17, 2010

stihlgoin said:
I tried WD-40, waited, cleaned wiring harness connectors, tried the ignition several times, then I remembered a bit from either this thread or a similar one about the PTO lever. It wasn't engaged, but I engaged/disengaged it and tried the ignition again. The tractor started right up. Now to figure out the hazard flashers/turn signals.... -Knocked a flasher off w/ a branch and have had no sucess getting them to work after replacing the flasher. Minor issue, though. Glad to have my machine purring away again.

Actually, this wasn't the fix at all. I went to start the tractor again, same problem. Dash lights lit up, including the high beam indicator, with no glow plug cycle. The engine would not even turn over. The brake pedal actually spiked the engine temp guage, turned on the high beam indicator, and made the glow plug relay buzz. So, I pulled the dash nearly off, cleaned the key switch out (wasn't that dirty **and be careful for the springs and ball bearings in the mechanism**), checked more harnesses and cleaned them. I tried to start the tractor again with the hood UP. No go. -Hood latched, -no go. Hood almost latched, -it started right up. Hmmm....-a bad ground? I checked the area around the brake light switch, -no corrosion. Finally, my father-in-law, who'd been helping me clean and replace the battery terminals noticed a flat spot on my headlight wire that runs up the left side of the hood as you're looking at the open hood. It had been getting pinched on the weather stripping that's on the shield between the radiator and engine. I moved the wire holders to one side to relieve the pinching, closed the hood, and it started. So, long story short, if the high beam indicator is on during a "short", check the obvious wire first. -I'll probably still splice a new piece in.

Chris