TC33 Stalled out - won't crank

TXDave · Jun 4, 2003

TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

Hope some one has an idea what could be wrong. I was mowing and pushing stuff out of the way with FEL for about 1.5 hours when it seemed to start losing power. I disengaged the PTO and it seemed to get better. But then I tried to use the FEL loader one last time to push something out of the way, and it just stalled again and died.

Now it won't crank. Have just put a new battery in it a month ago, and there is good power indication at dash panel. However after the warm up light goes out and I try to start there is nothing - perhaps a faint click behind the dash panel. I have checked all the fuses and they appear to be good. Has Fuel and coolant. The radiator was pretty matted - cleaned that off. I let it cool an hour and tried again, no luck.

And I went through making sure that it was in neutral, PTO had been disengaged before it ever stopped. One thing, the PTO light shows on the panel when turning the ignition - is that normal prior to cranking? I just can't remember now /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Any Suggestions? Hate to have a service call if it is something really simple I am missing

MikePA · Jun 4, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

The only thing I can think of is a safety interlock has come loose or is otherwise malfunctioning. The only time my starter wont turn is if I have it in gear (hydrostat) or have one of the PTO levers in the engaged position.

I've had success with wiggling the PTO levers and, since it's a hydro, moving that lever while I have the key turned to the start position. I couple of time the PTO/gear lever looked like it was in the right position, but when I followed the previous routine, the engine cranked and started.

rmorgan · Jun 4, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

Dave--exactly the same thing happened to me last summer after a long session of field mowing on a hot day. Like yours, my radiator had gotten pretty matted up. After a few hours--seems like I waited until almost sundown--it started normally and has been fine since. I have assumed it was an overheat sensor-mediated shutdown (I am not entirely convinced by my temp gauge) and I now do pay more attention to keeping the radiator free of debris. Hope your fix is as simple as mine was.

BillyP · Jun 4, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

Check and recheck the battery terminals. Then check the ground cable, where it grounds and the positive cable where it's connected.

kensfarm · Jun 4, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

The PTO lights coming on when starting is normal.. that clicking sound you hear.. ususally means your battery has some juice.. but not enough to crank the starter. Put a battery charger on.. check the voltage.. plus like the other posts stated.. check your terminals & grounds. Maybe you bought a bad battery... maybe the alternator is going bad and is just barely charging... why did you need a new battery in the first place.. is it the right battery? Just going through the checklist.. I've had to do the jiggle act w/ the high/low gear.. and jump up & down on the seat before too! Let us know what you find..

mikim · Jun 4, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

<font color="blue">The only thing I can think of is a safety interlock has come loose or is otherwise malfunctioning </font>
My thought too (from experience i'm afraid) possibly 2 problems - stalled from overheating and won't start due to safety lock-out loose --- in my case some brush had snagged the wire going to the seat switch and disconnected a quick connector under the floor board.

TXDave · Jun 4, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

Well after doing all that was suggested, I broke down and called my dealer. He described to me the location of two PTO wires just under the left step up, in front of the rear wheel. They join under that step up with a very easy to pull loose connector, and sure enough, one was disconnected. So the ignition thought the PTO was still engaged, even though it already was.

Must have happened at some point during the mowing and I never had any indication. So now there is one more thing to add to a growing list of things to check when it won't start. Thanks for all the suggestions! I love this site, you all were great to lend support.

Dave (now sweaty Dave)

PS As I was posting Mikim hit right on it, that was it!

kensfarm · Jun 5, 2003

Re: TC33 Stalled out - won\'t crank

Glad it was an easy fix.. would some of that wire shrink wrap help secure it better. I've been thinking about doing some preventive brush protection on all exposed wiring and connections on the underside of my tractor. Working in the brush hasn't caused me any wiring problems.. but it's broken off one rear tire valve stem.. and pulled off the small bottom radiator hose.. both caused down tractor time.