TC34DA Won't Start... Any ideas?

[BarnStangz]

Hey all. With this long holiday weekend I figured that I could get lots of work done in the barn and around my farm... But when your tractor won't start you can't do too much but sit back and have the wife yell at you.

Here's what I know: When this morning to start up my TC34DA. Turn key, wait for glow-plugs, and then start. Nothing. All lights came on, reset parking brake, checked to make sure I was not in gear, moved PTO levers back and forth. Attempted to start again.... Nothing.

All lights come on, including head lights, hazards, etc.

I checked main 40amp fuse and all fuses on right side fire wall, all were dusty but not blown.... So... I call the place I bought it from and much to my surprise there is one server guy still there working. He thinks it's a PTO switch as the last thing I was using my tractor for was tilling. So he is going to pull some data on where the switch might and or how to test it.

This TC has under 100 hours. 96 to be exact. It's used only by me and I have cleaned and kept her in excellent working order. When I was using it last, aprox. 2 days ago, it was working fine. I was able to turn it off and then back on with out issue.

Can you guys think of anything else I should check. I have a bad feeling that they will have to pick this thing up and fix it, all under warranty of course, it just stinks that I wanted to get some work done and now I can not. Oh well, par for this course... Any help would be great. Thank you again in advance. I'll report back if I find out anything. Thanks!

Max

 

[JC-jetro]

Max,

Does the engine turn over? do you have any kind of Neutral safety switch for clutch on your tractor? If the engine does not turn over then you'll have to check starter and starter circuit first. I get volt meter, test light etc and verify I get juice to the starter and if no juice there I then trace backward t see if I can find where the break is. Is your tractor geared or HST, have you considered pull start of your transmission is gear driven. If your starter circuit is relay operated I would bench test it to see if contactor and coil works.

JC,

 

[BarnStangz]

Here are a few pictures and I also just noticed that the plate holding the safety switch was loose. There are two bolts holding it in place and all my tilling must has made them come loose, but not completely come all the way out. You'll see the plate and the switch. I don't know where the "adjustment" should be with this plate and switch so, if I hold down the switch and reach to start the tractor, there is still nothing. You can hear a relay or something behind the dash make a clicking noise when I press the switch in and out. I also have my seat switch jumped so that I do not have to be in the seat to start the tractor.

The service guy called me and wanted me to try and jump the PTO switch, which I tried but still no starting from the tractor. Here are some pictures to look at. The high res photos are on this section of my web site: Index of /tractor/switch

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The service man who was helping me on the phone was really nice, but we both thing that there is still a problem. Looks like they may have to send someone out after all. Any other ideas guys? Thanks!

Max

 

[BarnStangz]

Max,

Does the engine turn over? do you have any kind of Neutral safety switch for clutch on your tractor? If the engine does not turn over then you'll have to check starter and starter circuit first. I get volt meter, test light etc and verify I get juice to the starter and if no juice there I then trace backward t see if I can find where the break is. Is your tractor geared or HST, have you considered pull start of your transmission is gear driven. If your starter circuit is relay operated I would bench test it to see if contactor and coil works.

JC,

Thank you for the reply. I will check the starter right now. I didn't even think of that. I'll get my fluke on it and see if there is voltage. The tractor is HST, so I don't think I can pull start it. I'll be back and let you know what I find with the starter. Thank you!

Max

 

[BarnStangz]

I just checked power to the starter and there is juice! Engine DOES NOT turn over however... I'm going to check the switches again. It has to be a switch, at least, that's what I hope!

Max

 

[JC-jetro]

I just checked power to the starter and there is juice! Engine DOES NOT turn over however... I'm going to check the switches again. It has to be a switch, at least, that's what I hope!

Max

Max,

when you start ... do you hear the starter solenoid to engage? (solenoid will mesh the starter gear with the flywheel).can you hear the starter to actually come on? I think starter solenoid where activated completes the starter motor circuit. starter may also be tested directly by a jumper cable but you got to check the contacts out so you don't fry the starter by mistake. On my tractor Neutral safety switch is Normally open when you push the clutch it closes .. completes the circuit and you can start. I would try to jumper it up simulating a close circuit or use a tape and spring loaded tip pushed in.. I'll give it a try.
Now if your battery is low the solenoid may deploy and may not be enough to crank the diesel engine. Have you tried to use a jumper cable to start?

JC,

P.S, I can not see you have a locked engine, starter cannot turn a locked engine but it'll over amp the starter quickly causing to overheat. you can check for overamp also.

 

[BarnStangz]

Max,

when you start ... do you hear the starter solenoid to engage? (solenoid will mesh the starter gear with the flywheel).can you hear the starter to actually come on? I think starter solenoid where activated completes the starter motor circuit. starter may also be tested directly by a jumper cable but you got to check the contacts out so you don't fry the starter by mistake. On my tractor Neutral safety switch is Normally open when you push the clutch it closes .. completes the circuit and you can start. I would try to jumper it up simulating a close circuit or use a tape and spring loaded tip pushed in.. I'll give it a try.
Now if your battery is low the solenoid may deploy and may not be enough to crank the diesel engine. Have you tried to use a jumper cable to start?

JC,

P.S, I can not see you have a locked engine, starter cannot turn a locked engine but it'll over amp the starter quickly causing to overheat. you can check for overamp also.

...Well, when I jumped the starter, she FIRED! Now, don't get me wrong... I understand that CNH has to have the f'ing safety switches in place for liability, but it's because of at least one of them that it took me an hour or two to get this thing running. I talked to the service guy and they are still going to come out and take a look... At least I can get some **** work done. Thank you for your help JC, I'll report back when I get someone out here... boo to safety switches...

Max

 

[JC-jetro]

...Well, when I jumped the starter, she FIRED! Now, don't get me wrong... I understand that CNH has to have the f'ing safety switches in place for liability, but it's because of at least one of them that it took me an hour or two to get this thing running. I talked to the service guy and they are still going to come out and take a look... At least I can get some **** work done. Thank you for your help JC, I'll report back when I get someone out here... boo to safety switches...

Max

Max,

I'm glad she fired up although quite remote there was outside chance of locked engine // Yikes... glad that was not the case. I'll take the wiring diagram and go back ward from the starter and try to find the open... If you had a short you would have a blown fuse. Bad starter relay can be a likely cause also..

Good luck,
JC,

 

[BarnStangz]

Max,

I'm lad she fired up although quite remote there was outside chance of locked engine // Yikes... glad that was not the case. I'll take the wiring diagram and go back ward from the starter and try to find the open... If you had a short you would have a blown fuse. Bad starter relay can be a likely cause also..

Good luck,
JC,

JC,

Yeah, it is weird... That's for sure... I wonder if the key switch could be bad, like the 2nd. position, when you go to crank it... Because I checked all the fuses and did not see any blown ones. I'm still going to have a few CNH repair guys come down and take a look at this thing... At least I can get it to start, but it would be nice to be able to just use the key instead of some dang wire! Again, thank you.
Max

 

[rrs26ja]

There is a safety switch to ensure you are sitting on the seat, also a neutural switch, maybe one of those are out of adjustment. Check your manual. I think CHN should put lights for each safety switch on th dash so you can tell what switch isn't being made. Good luck Ron