Starting Problem -Yanmar 2000

[piddling]

When I purchased my tractor a little over a year ago I remember it started in temps as low as the mid 30s (it does not have the cold weather starting system on it).

This winter it won't start in much warmer temperatures despite the fact that I installed a new battery last fall.

Is there such a thing as a weak starter?

When I attempt to start it I always use the decompression lever and when I flip it to the compression position the starter just stops almost immediately.

I do remember the first time i tried to start it in cold weather (last winter), I noticed a whiff of smoke coming off the starter - this was before I had a manual and knew about overheating the starter.

Last summer and fall it started great. Today the temperature got up to about 63 degrees and it would not start. Low last night was about 45.

Any ideas appreciated.

 

[mark777]

IMHO: It's often when a poor ground makes a starter seem bad. Since the battery is new I would clean all the ground contacts at the engine and frame. Then you'll know for certain if the starter needs to be rebuilt.

Mark

 

[piddling]

Thanks, Mark. Soon as I can get it up to the shop I'll check those connections out. Good suggestion.

 

[gclark94560]

Hi! more info please.

When you say "won't start" what do you mean? -

Starter won't turn the engine or won't turn it fast enough?
Or it turns fine but the cylinders won't fire?
Do you get white or dark gray smoke from the stack as it turns over?
How long can you try to start it before the battery becomes weak?

These things help understand a starting problem.

Greg

 

[normde2001]

Hi! more info please.

When you say "won't start" what do you mean? -

Starter won't turn the engine or won't turn it fast enough?
Or it turns fine but the cylinders won't fire?
Do you get white or dark gray smoke from the stack as it turns over?
How long can you try to start it before the battery becomes weak?

These things help understand a starting problem.

Greg

I believe he explained that. "When I attempt to start it I always use the decompression lever and when I flip it to the compression position the starter just stops almost immediately".

 

[MJPetersen]

There was another post that explained the problem in a slow turning starter to be the ground cable from the batter itself. The corrosion was not seen as it was inside the cable plastic coating. Try bypassing the ground cable with a Jumper from the negative post to a good ground.

Mike in Poland

 

[piddling]

Maybe I didn't explain it thoroughly. The battery will spin the engine over easily when compression is off. As soon as I flip the compression on, it stops the engine from turning after what I would guess is about one revolution, or less - I get the feeling that if it could turn one more time it would start. I'm not getting any smoke from the exhaust. I have taken my generator down to the barn and charged the battery but that doesn't improve anything. This problem acts very much like a weak battery (or weak starter, if there is such a thing). I'm going to try to bypass the ground cable with a jumper cable today and see if that gets it going.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Didn't realize how much I relied on the tractor until I got to this point and can't use it. Now, with spring here, I've got lots of jobs lined up for it, including moving several downed trees from a January ice storm.

 

[normde2001]

How much voltage do you read at the battery, (12.75v is a full charge). Have you tried running jumper cables directly from a fully charged battery to the starter?