TC29D doesn't start every now and then

txcityslkr · Sep 12, 2005

TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

My TC29D only has 45 hours and it has a problem starting and it's not predictable. I turn the key, the starter celinoid (?) takes a hit (i have felt it) but the starter doesn't turnover. I have had the problem of safety switches not allowing it to start and when that happens the celinoid doesn't get hit. Anyway, I can turn the key once or a dozen times and eventually it starts. I don't have to touch any PTOs or gear levers...it just eventually starts. The dealer replaced the starter, expecting that to fix it but it didn't. Any ideas?

DocHeb · Sep 12, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

Battery problems causing low voltage? Poor connection at the battery, either positive terminal, or negative grounding connection?

Inspector507 · Sep 12, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

Switch or bad ground connection would be my first 2 things to look at.

frank_f15 · Sep 12, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

Beleive it or not , i have the exact same problem with my KUBOTA B2400 , been going on for about1 year now, sometimes i can go weeks with no problem then all of a sudden have to hit the key 5,6, 7 times then it fires right up. I think IT is the solenoid, battery is good, all connections are clean including the ground to the frame. funny thing is, all last winter it never did it. I think i will replace the solenoid before winter.

jinman · Sep 13, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

You've had great advice on what to check. I can only add a method that may help identify whether your problem is dirty battery terminals without doing a lot of testing. Turn on your headlights when you have this problem. If they don't come on, or they go completely out when you try to start your tractor, it's probably dirty battery terminals. It's normal for the lights to dim, but if all lights go completely out, it's surely a dirty terminal or a loose connection.

Have you noticed the problem occuring when it's wet or damp outside? If your terminals are slightly corroded, it's often worse when the weather is damp. If your tractor set on the dealers lot for a few months before you bought it, this could easily be your problem.

The solenoid is an integral part of the starter. The starter is a solenoid, motor, and gear reduction drive all in one. If you put a jumper between the "B" and "S" terminals of your starter, that should cause it to spin no matter what the position of the key is. This jumpers around the key switch and safety circuits. Please don't try this if you aren't confident in what you are doing. However, if you do this and the motor doesn't work, it has to be a loose or dirty terminal. If it does work, then most likely you have a bad switch or a bad PTO or Neutral start switch in the safety circuit.

If I was a betting man, I'd bet on the dirty battery terminals just as Chris and Jerry said.

txcityslkr · Sep 17, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

Ok. The problem is worse now. It started first thing, after a week, and ran for about 15 minutes. It sat in the sun for 2 hours. I cranked it and same problem as before. I turned on the head lights and turned it a few times, and yes they did dim but only slightly so I think I ruled out the battery. Then on the next turn of the key...nothing. No dash lights came on and it didn't hit the solenoid. Dead cold! What now? Does this narrow down the potential problem? I pulled the 2nd 7.5 fuse and the 3rd 20amp fuse and they looked fine. Thank you for the previous thoughts...pls keep 'em coming.

jinman · Sep 18, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

At this point, I think it's time to momentarily put a jumper between terminals "B" and "S" on your starter. Do this when the starter is not working. I know you said you could hear the solenoid take a "hit," but what you might be hearing is the start relay clicking, or the sudden surge of current is causing hte solenoid to close, but immediately drop out because dirty terminals on the battery can't support the current.

Here is what I would do:

1. Momentarily jumper between the "B" and "S" terminals on the starter. If the starter works, immediately remove the jumper. Now try the key. (With an intermittent problem, you want to verify the problem is still there.) If the key does not work, then your problem is in the switch or the start circuit to the solenoid.

2. If the starter does not work, get a jumper battery or pull a vehicle up close to the front of your tractor and hook up jumper cables to the tractor battery (I'm assuming you know how to do this safely/properly.). Now try the key start. If the tractor starts, then I'm going to say either your battery terminals are dirty or your battery has an internal problem. The internal problem is very dangerous because a spark inside a battery can cause it to violently explode. Those problems are pretty rare.

3. I would probably disconnect the starter from the normal battery and connect a jumper battery directly to the starter and try it a few times to satisfy myself that the problem has been found. Again, you can only troubleshoot an intermittent problem when it is malfuntioning. You have to know you have found the problem or you are just "easter-egging" the problem like your dealer did when he replaced your starter.

Good luck! Maybe someone else will have some more ideas.

have_blue · Sep 18, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

I had a similar problem with my TC29 when it was brand new. It was intermittent, and drove me up the wall for a week or so. It ended up being a spade terminal under the left rear fender. I think it had to do with the seat switch, but it may have been the PTO lockout. Can't remember that far back. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

ArchyD · Sep 18, 2005

Re: TC29D doesn\'t start every now and then

I had the same problem earlier this year and was not able to spend the time to correct it myself. I had the NH tech come to the farm and fix it. The problem was the key switch, the $30 part cost me $300 for the tech to troubleshoot and replace.
Good Luck,
ArchyD