My teenage son was brush hogging a pasture with our my Branson 2400H when some old fencing wire got caught up in the mower. He turned off the tractor and started removing the old wire from the brush hog. When he finished removing the wire he could not get the tractor to start. The battery is new and I checked the voltage on it. It is putting out 12.4 volts. When the key is turned on the dash lights come light up as usual but no sound from the engine. The fuses seem ok. I used a screw driver on the solenoid and everything with the starter works correctly. I can actually start the tractor if someone pushes the clutch in and I apply the screw driver to the solenoid. I've read on other posts about micro switches preventing a tractor from starting. I've moved the PTO lever in and out of position but the tractor still will not start with a key. Does anyone have any suggestions on what part I should investigate next. I'm thinking the ignition switch might be bad but the timing of everything seems odd for it to be the ignition switch. I'm still curious that there might be some safety switch that is preventing start up. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Starting Problem with Branson 2400H
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oldnslo
Super Member
On my 2400H I believe there is a switch on the clutch, PTO and possibly the forward reverse pedals to confirm in neutral.
Check the PTO switch operation it is located on left side (as sitting on tractor) under the seat and can be seen with seat tipped forward. Possible a stick or something got there keeping the switch from moving. Maybe check wiring to see if something got pulled loose by a stick or tough weed stalk.
The clutch switch is on left side by rear of engine.
Do you get any clicking sound like relay shifting? I would be surprised if key switch failed but anything is possible.
Check the PTO switch operation it is located on left side (as sitting on tractor) under the seat and can be seen with seat tipped forward. Possible a stick or something got there keeping the switch from moving. Maybe check wiring to see if something got pulled loose by a stick or tough weed stalk.
The clutch switch is on left side by rear of engine.
Do you get any clicking sound like relay shifting? I would be surprised if key switch failed but anything is possible.
Thank you, I'll take a look at those locations and see what I can find. No clicking noise when the key is turned. I'll let you know what happens.
I was able to crawl around the tractor today in order to look at switches. Everything seems fine with the switches unless something internal is wrong. No debris was found that could block anything and when I moved levers back and forth the switches appear to be moving back and forth without any issue. I have a couple of pics to make sure I'm looking at the correct parts. First pic is of the PTO switch. The second pic is of the clutch switch. One thing that did change is that today when I turn the key to the first position I now hear a loud click coming from the starter. When the key is turned to second position nothing happens. Yesterday there was no noise when I turned the key.
I hate to spend the money on a new ignition switch without knowing for sure that is the problem but I don't know what else to try. Are the switches known to go bad? Would I be better off taking the tractor to the dealer to let them inspect it?
I hate to spend the money on a new ignition switch without knowing for sure that is the problem but I don't know what else to try. Are the switches known to go bad? Would I be better off taking the tractor to the dealer to let them inspect it?
When you say cables are you referring to the wires and wire connectors? I have not cleaned anything on the tractor.
I did look over the various wire components running from the ignition switch to the engine bay. I did not notice any breaks or cuts. I pushed on the ignition switch connectors to make sure they were all snapped in tight. Nothing appeared loose.
I did look over the various wire components running from the ignition switch to the engine bay. I did not notice any breaks or cuts. I pushed on the ignition switch connectors to make sure they were all snapped in tight. Nothing appeared loose.
ning
Elite Member
Dumb question but you're certain the PTO lever & switches (whatever the machine has) are disengaged? Just thinking if he shut it off in a hurry maybe something didn't get turned off.
To the best of my knowledge they are disengaged. When I pull on the PTO lever I can see the metal bar push up on the switch. The switch is housed inside the rubber boot so I can't tell what is going on mechanically on the inside of the switch but from the outside it looks like everything is functioning correctly.
oldnslo
Super Member
To verify switches are operating you would have to unplug the wires and confirm the contacts are opening and closing. The switch on my clutch got water in it and froze first year I owned so cut the wires off the switch and wire nutted them together until dealer got a replacement. They kept my jumper to to use for testing failed switches.
Key switches do fail but usually not suddenly like this.
Since it now does different things when turning the key it certainly points towards and electrical problem. I believe there is or was a post with service manuals for Bransons on this forum. It was in Branson section and if memory is accurate was started by Asteral.
Key switches do fail but usually not suddenly like this.
Since it now does different things when turning the key it certainly points towards and electrical problem. I believe there is or was a post with service manuals for Bransons on this forum. It was in Branson section and if memory is accurate was started by Asteral.
