Whats the difference ?

[ChuckinVA]

Well the saga continues. I went to see my dealer and discussed what I had checked and tried to trouble shoot and he agreed that it sounded like it might be the switch. He went and got one off of the shelf and handed it to me. He said to change it out and see if that solved the problem. If not, he would either go over to WV with me and look at it or go pick the tractor up. I installed it today and there was no difference in the switches. I took the new switch off and put the old one back on and will take it back to him Friday.

Last week end I went over on Saturday and checked the voltage on the battery. It was at around 10 volts so I charged it with the battery charger for about 5 hours. When I checked the voltage again it was over 14 volts. I started the tractor with no problem and checked the voltage again . It was at 13.83. I ran the tractor about an hour and rode the dog around for a while ( on the tractor )/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Shut it down and the voltage was at 13.63
Today when I installed the switch, I did not check the voltage but the engine would not turn over enough to start. I still had the same dash lights ( oil pressure and battery lights) and as I attempted to start the tractor the battery light just got weaker and weaker. I think I'm going to let the dealer work on it a while and see what he can come up with. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

There is definitely a problem in your charging system. The voltage regulator is discharging the battery as it sits. Notice in your posts how after sitting for a day or more, the battery voltage drops off? then apply jumper cables and problem is solved. I have serious doubts about the key switch being the culprit. I would replace the regulator first.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

P.S. to my other post. The regulator diodes can allow the system to charge properly. The b---- of it, is they also will discharge if one or more of the bridged circuit diodes fail. Like a check valve in a pressure line, fluid goes one direction only. Then the check valve fails and fluid can go either way. A diode is very similar in function to a check valve. Hope the analogy works for you guys.

 

[Soundguy]

After the tractor sits for a while, he should go feel the back of the alternator and see if it is warm ( discharging ).
Also a possibility that the voltage reg is running constantly. depending on how it is plumbed inthe ignition circuit.

As a test, he can reun the tractor, then before he leaves, disconnect the positive pole of the battery, then check it the next day or so.

( Might be the battery.... slow internal fault )

Soundguy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Right, disconnecting the battery would help to troubleshoot this. The battery was load tested, so that should eliminate it from the loop. Ever heard the term, KISS?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Chuck,

I have been moving dirt with my scoop today so I started thinking about your dilemma while riding back and forth. My glow plug light comes on every time I turn the switch backwards. Today it was staying on about five seconds each time. Seems like there must be some sort of timmer involved. If your light don't come some time then it may be a bad timmer (if there is one).

Donald

 

[ChuckinVA]

Donald,

When I was over Tuesday, I charged the battery, ( It was at 10.5 volts ) for an hour then started the tractor and moved some dirt and brush with the loader for about an hour. I checked the battery voltage and it was up to 13.5 volts. I backed it into the shed and disconnected the positive lead from the battery. I hope to go back over this week end and check it out but looks like the voltage regulator theory may be a possibility. I've had several people tell me that a bad regulator has diodes that will discharge the battery in a short time period. If the battery is still charged when I get over there this week end, then I will change the regulator and hopefully bring this post to a close and fix the tractor!

I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks !

 

[ChuckinVA]

To finalize ( I hope ) this post.....

I ended up taking the battery to an automotive store and had them run a load test on the battery that my dealer had tested and checked ok. For some reason I kept thinking the battery was the culprit. The auto store machine discharged the battery and then charged it and ran some sort of diagnostics on it and it indicated the battery needed replaced. I took the battery back to the dealer and told him what I had done. He indicated that they had had a large number of defective batterys recently and replaced the battery no problem. This was the second new battery ( now third ) that had been installed since March. I was over at the property this evening and the battery is still charged and the tractor has started now three times over the last week with out any problem. I am a happy man !

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm glad to hear that you have fixed the problem.

Does the glow plug light come on every time that you turn the key backwards now?

Donald

 

[ChuckinVA]

Yes Donald, the glow plug light does come on when I turn the key backwards now.