Tractor hard to start in cold

[Dunno]

Hi,
I’ve done research but have not found a solution. 1998 John Deere 310SE backhoe with 4.5l (272ci) diesel engine. When mild temps , starts immediately. When cold, will hardly turn over and sometimes not start. Put battery charger on it and it shows batteries almost fully charged. Three guesses as to what might be going on: bad ground wiring; bad starter motor; or batteries (2). I just can’t think of why it starts like a champ all summer, then barely turns over when cold (below 35f). What would be most likely affected by cold temperatures? Seems batteries to me, but curios if anyone has had and cured this problem. Thanks.

 

[riptides]

Hi,
I’ve done research but have not found a solution. 1998 John Deere 310SE backhoe with 4.5l (272ci) diesel engine. When mild temps , starts immediately. When cold, will hardly turn over and sometimes not start. Put battery charger on it and it shows batteries almost fully charged. Three guesses as to what might be going on: bad ground wiring; bad starter motor; or batteries (2). I just can’t think of why it starts like a champ all summer, then barely turns over when cold (below 35f). What would be most likely affected by cold temperatures? Seems batteries to me, but curios if anyone has had and cured this problem. Thanks.

Cold crankng amps...check rating of battery.

 

[Dunno]

Riptide,
Will do. Machine has two big batteries in it now, but not sure how old they are, or CCA. I’ve had it for two years, and I think PO said it didn’t like to start in cold. I’m thinking it just may be worn out batteries, but any other thoughts welcome.

 

[deserteagle71]

My John Deere 2020 diesel is the same way. If the temperature is below about 50 degrees it struggles to start. I installed a coolant heater on it many years ago; I plug it in a half hour before using and then the tractor starts just fine. Something like this only mine is probably 30 years old:

https://www.amazon.com/Kats-Aluminum-Circulating-Heater-13150X

 

[CalG]

Regardless of what the charger displays, put the charger on a couple hours prior to starting and see if that "fixes" the difficulty. If it does, new batteries are needed.

If the starting is still sluggish, Freshen ALL the battery connections including the one at the starter. Don't be shy with the wire brush and sand paper. Clean and BRIGHT.

Are you running multi-vis engine oil?

 

[Cycledude]

Have the batteries been load tested ?
Plenty of diesel engines don’t start very easy when cold, my Ford 6610 prefers to have the block heater plugged in for about an hour before starting when it get down near freezing temperatures or below.
Some of the newer diesels I have operated start like it’s 70 degrees when it’s 10 below zero.

 

[KS KIOTI]

Glow plugs?

 

[Harry in Ky]

Hi,
I’ve done research but have not found a solution. 1998 John Deere 310SE backhoe with 4.5l (272ci) diesel engine. When mild temps , starts immediately. When cold, will hardly turn over and sometimes not start. Put battery charger on it and it shows batteries almost fully charged. Three guesses as to what might be going on: bad ground wiring; bad starter motor; or batteries (2). I just can’t think of why it starts like a champ all summer, then barely turns over when cold (below 35f). What would be most likely affected by cold temperatures? Seems batteries to me, but curios if anyone has had and cured this problem. Thanks.

Have you given any thought to the hydraulics? Cold oil is a well known parasitic load on any starter. Are you sure you have a low enough viscosity fluid for cold weather use? Does it have a destroke solenoid valve on the pump and is it working?

 

[CalG]

Hi,
I’ve done research but have not found a solution. 1998 John Deere 310SE backhoe with 4.5l (272ci) diesel engine. When mild temps , starts immediately. When cold, will hardly turn over and sometimes not start. Put battery charger on it and it shows batteries almost fully charged. Three guesses as to what might be going on: bad ground wiring; bad starter motor; or batteries (2). I just can’t think of why it starts like a champ all summer, then barely turns over when cold (below 35f). What would be most likely affected by cold temperatures? Seems batteries to me, but curios if anyone has had and cured this problem. Thanks.

Your description "will Hardly turn over" is the detail that must be known. Discover why that is.

I will tell you it is most likely NOT the temperature of the engine.

 

[Dunno]

Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
Batteries have not been load tested. I’ll remove them and clean all wiring as suggested. While out I’ll have them load tested.
No glow plugs. Strange. Instead, has an ether-shot system. Ether can sits in holder hear engine; hit a button for the shot while starting. I’m Leary about using ether, but since this is a factory set-up, JD must have thought it ok.
Plug in heater is on machine, but often times the need is unanticipated. Will have to think about use and plug in when needed.
Not sure about engine oil or hydraulic fluid viscosity. Has clear hydraulic fluid when shop R&R’d a leaking swing cylinder. Have heard bad and neutral about clear fluid. Still has leak near swing cylinders, and plan to change fluid to better when I do the work on leak this time.
If it turns out to be the batteries, is it possible to install one to get the job done, or stick with the two? ($$). 4 cylinder diesel shouldn’t take much juice, but if it’s fighting hydraulics on start I can see the need for two.
Many thanks for the tips.

 

[Tx Jim]

My guess is hyd pump is causing hard starting!! I suggest to be sure electric destroking solenoid(item 10) is operating as designed more especially needed in colder ambient temperatures. https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/16962/referrer/navigation/pgId/241012

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Have you given any thought to the hydraulics? Cold oil is a well known parasitic load on any starter. Are you sure you have a low enough viscosity fluid for cold weather use? Does it have a destroke solenoid valve on the pump and is it working?

This.

But more importantly, what is YOUR version of "cold"? What is the coldest temps (NO "windchill" BS) in ambient air temperature that your tractor will see?

Some folks version of "cold" is almost laughable.

Make sure your engine oil and hydraulic oil are rated for the temps you're actually going to operate your equipment in.

 

[Dunno]

Jim
Thanks for the heads-up on the solenoid. I’ll look at it and see. Makes sense that would cause a problem especially in the cold with sluggish oil.
Slim,
I’m in NH, but southern near coast. Used to get cold here, but lately lowest temps are only around 20-25F. Cold enough to gum-up hydraulics but not terribly cold like MN.

 

[Egon]

If it starts easily with present batteries when it is warm look at battery replacement.

 

[DarkBlack]

I’ll bet batteries , 10:1 over hydraulic oil, being the winner

 

[LouNY]

I'd lean towards fluids, between engine oil and hydraulic fluids. Plus batteries loosing cranking ability but fluids can make a considerable differences.

 

[LHF2019]

Stop guessing. Completely remove all batteries and cables clean up all grounds. May be one or 2 depending how it’s wired. ANY corrosion on any cable have new heavy duty ones made. You can load test batteries or you can just get 2 new heavy duty batteries and know everything is good. Stop being cheap and skimping on the correct diagnosis. The fact you don’t know oil weights in your equipment tells me you’re lacking regular maintenance. I run a fleet of 7 agricultural tractors 50-180 hp. Run JD oil 15w/40 in all weather to below 0 degrees. You stated a block heater. Plan your activities during the cold weather and plug it in for an hour. It will make starting easier and take the stress off the batteries new or old

 

[Dunno]

LHF,
I’m up on maintenance on the six tractors I run in the farm. The 310SE is a newer purchase from someone who had done a recent maintenance and so I didn’t see the need to change fluids right away. Levels are good, but do plan to change oil and filters soon to have a baseline. Thanks for the heads up though.
Until Jim had mentioned the destroking solenoid I was leaning toward battery issue. Still the most likely culprit and will verify when chores slow down. Good to know about that solenoid.
Will do as LHF suggests and do electrical first so we figure out what it is or isn’t one step at a time. Many thanks.
Best regards.

 

[Mike1955]

Dunno, I think on a Deere you must move the steering wheel from side to side while starting. Just a thought

 

[RHiebert]

Hi,
I’ve done research but have not found a solution. 1998 John Deere 310SE backhoe with 4.5l (272ci) diesel engine. When mild temps , starts immediately. When cold, will hardly turn over and sometimes not start. Put battery charger on it and it shows batteries almost fully charged. Three guesses as to what might be going on: bad ground wiring; bad starter motor; or batteries (2). I just can’t think of why it starts like a champ all summer, then barely turns over when cold (below 35f). What would be most likely affected by cold temperatures? Seems batteries to me, but curios if anyone has had and cured this problem. Thanks.

Am not saying my idea will solve it but trying couple might work: 1.) AMSOIL engine lube plus (2.) diesel fuel additive, ie, "Diesel All-In-One".