Starting Problems

[ranger321]

I'm new to the site and may not post , ask , post properly, so please be patient with me, My questios- I was using my tractor running fine ,turned it off , Went to start it again only a few minutes later and it only clicks and ckicks . I removed the dash to access the wiring ,I believe it is one of the relays , I felt each one as I tried to start the engine, and I could eel the vibration . So I pulled it . Any other ideas? Thanks

 

[BeezFun]

I would check the battery voltage, condition of cables at both ends. How old is the battery, what kind of tractor? Pulling the relay won't help, it's supposed to click.

 

[KennyV]

Measure the voltage at the starter relay WHEN you are going to start... It must be at OR over 12 volts ... if not all your likely to get is a click....
Like BeezFun said... check batt & cables, both ends. KennyV

 

[DDM84]

One click every time you turn the key or several clicks when holding the key in the start position? What model of tractor?

 

[Tx Jim]

Check battery voltage and ALL FOUR battery cable connections. I'll bet it's the ground cable.

 

[ranger321]

First of all input. The battery is strong, the cables -good, The tractor os a Kubota L3600. I was working with the tractor using it , turned it off for a few minutes, had ,had no problems with it. Went back to it after 30min. and turned the key and it clicked , I checked all the normal things , safty switches , chk if I stil had the bush-hog engaged ,no . ??

 

[windy acers]

Jump start it at the batt. positive connection on the large lug on the starter. Neg. to bare metal last.( should not spark).You should still be able to use the key. BE VERY CAREFULL !!! BOTH TRANS SHIFTERS IN NUTERAL PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. IF it works check batt. cables. If it does not check key switch or starter relay.

 

[KennyV]

There are only two interlock switches on your 3600...One is on the PTO lever...
The other is on the forward neutral reverse shuttle...

If the battery is good and there is 12 volts delivered to the starter solenoid, jump from the small terminal on the solenoid to the large terminal with the positive cable from the battery... That should engage the starter and it will start regardless where the key switch is... KennyV

PS ... it will also drive over you if it's in gear...

 

[eray1066]

On my Kubota L4150 the safety interlock circuit that goes from the key switch through the clutch (maybe through another switch or two ... pto... seat) did not deliver enough juice to power the starting solonoid after a few years. It was a real pain until I installed another relay, a john deere part John Deere part AM107421, that closes on the reduced current and delivers the needed power to the solonoid. It now works perfectly. I am sure this is your problem.

Here is the post that helped me

Finally I read Kubmech 's posting on this problem (7/15/04). He explained that the increased resistance in starting circuit as the parts aged caused a decreased voltage to reach the starter solenoid. When this voltage decreased enough, the solenoid did not have enough current to engage. His solution was to install a low voltage relay which would engage and allow full voltage from the battery to engage the starter solenoid. Use of John Deere part AM107421 was recommended (Approx $18). Since I had tried almost everything else (and didn't want to have to send the tractor back to the dealer) I bought the part and installed it. Tractor had sat for about a week and started on first try. The part has been installed for over a week and the tractor has not failed to start on the first try. Installation is easy, it is almost as if this part was made for installation on a Kubota. Wires from low voltage relay plug right into the Kubota solenoid terminals and wire from ignition switch. (See Kubmech 's posting for detailed installation instructions). If you have this starting problem and cleaning the battery cable clamps, ground, battery terminals and your battery is good, I would suggest trying this part. The most you can be out is about $20. Wish I had read this posting earlier, it would have saved me about $350. Thank you Kubmech

 

[ranger321]

Thanks to all for your replies. I've really had a time of it, I work a full time job, Pastor a church full time and am at the end (almost) of having the Shingles in my left eye and temple, how painful. So little time to mess with my tractor. I had gone to the Kubota dwealer in Faulkner Md. they weren't much help and sold me a fuse for the wiring near the starter. I foolishly had tried to cross the connections at the relay that was vibrating , and must have blown something. Anyway I had a moment to put the fuse inand tried to start it , I turned the key and it was dead completely if there's any other kind of dead. So I charged it thinking it drained . after chg it on high for awhile then slow for a couple of days , . There is still no response DEAD. . I checked all the fuses on the panel, none blown ( I did this between church AM and PM ) Too dark when I got home and go to work 5:00am. Will have to wait for further tries. What ever happened it was all of a sudden, Because I was using it turned it off for 30 min then tried to start it and the relay clicked , now nothing happens, therefore I must have caused further problems. eray 1066 you sound as though you've been into this prob. any further suggestions ? Tony

 

[mtnsheep]

This is so similiar to a problem a developed this weekend. I was painting by b1750 and had a few panels off and had to disconnect only the rear hazard light. Put everything back on, reconnected the one light connection, started the tractor fine, but the key would not turn it off, so i pulled the shutoff knob. Only 10 min later tried to start it and nothing, no lights, no clicks, dead like yours. I checked the only 2 fuses and battery connection and all good. Someone of OTT suggested checking ohms on the fuel shut off solenoid. Not so good with wiring, so still researching how to do this. Sorry this doesn't give ideas for fixes, but I can sympathize with a dead tractor too. Like yours , it doesn't make sense that one minute running fine, then dead due to battery connections.

 

[MYRagtop]

Just bought a used BX25. When I went to look at it and started it up, I put it through its paces, trying out the FEL, mower, hoe, forward, reverse and anything else I could think of, well it passed all the tests, I shut it off and the deal was made. Realizing it had to be put back in the shed, I got on and tried to start it, same problem, just a click and nothing else. After a lot of trial and error finally got it started. Turns out that when I got off the tractor, my leg was brushing up against the PTO lever and the tractor was thinking the PTO was engaging and wouldn't start, a safety feature. Just had to move the lever into the off position and she started right up.

This may not be what is happening to yours but it may be some other safety feature not allowing yours to start either.

Just my 2 cents.:drink:

 

[CountryJohn]

Just a suggestion, since it looks like you were bush hogging. Check the safety switch under the seat. Sometimes debris from the bush hog gets caught up in there and keeps the switch from closing, even when you are sitting on the seat. I've had this happen a couple of times, and cleaning out just a small stick or leaf from the switch solved the problem.