will not start???
- Thread starter dkshooter
- Start date
- Views: 4194
art
Super Member
Do the dash lights dim? I normally with a tractor at that age start checking cables and cleaning the grounds. They are normally the problem not knowing all the particulars like hours and type of storage.
KubotainNH
Veteran Member
Sounds like a bad connection to me. I had the same issue with my tractor, I cleaned the posts on the battery and the inside of the post clamps until they were shiny. Been good ever since.
alchemysa
Veteran Member
I had a similar problem on the weekend. The tractor started fine one minute then wouldn't start the next. The lights on the dash lit up. The glowplug light lit up. But as soon as I turned the key they all went out and the starter motor just gave a feeble click. I connected some extra battery power but it made no difference. It turned out it was the battery connection. BUT it wasn't simply a case of cleaning and tightening the clamps and posts. The problem was where the positive battery cable press fits into the soft metal of the battery clamp. A few of the copper cable strands had broken and the cable was slightly loose. Oil, moisture and dirt had gotten into the hole and reduced connectivity. My quick fix was to bash the clamp a few times with a hammer and the point of a screwdriver. I'll buy a new clamp with a tightening bolt this week.
I found the fault by turning on the ignition key then watching the dash lights as I played with the battery cables.
One other comment while I think of it. I have one those cheap rechargable 'jump start' battery packs with a carry handle. (About $40). I get a lot of use out of it because I have a few vehicles with dodgy batteries that are not used regularly. And in fault finding situations as described above its a real time saver - so much easier than stuffing around with batteries and jumper leads. I think its one of the best things I've bought.
I found the fault by turning on the ignition key then watching the dash lights as I played with the battery cables.
One other comment while I think of it. I have one those cheap rechargable 'jump start' battery packs with a carry handle. (About $40). I get a lot of use out of it because I have a few vehicles with dodgy batteries that are not used regularly. And in fault finding situations as described above its a real time saver - so much easier than stuffing around with batteries and jumper leads. I think its one of the best things I've bought.
digicamnut
Silver Member
check where it is grounded on the tractor.
KubotainNH
Veteran Member
You said you checked the ground and tightened the terminals but did you clean the battery posts and inside of the terminals? If not then tightening will do little to fix the issue. If so it's now time to get a volt meter out or try a battery style jump starter. With the volt meter you can compare voltage at various points like + battery post to frame ground, battery ground post to solenoid etc to narrow down where the voltage drop is when you turn the key. It's also possible that the starter is bad, you can remove it and have an auto parts store test it. If you try a jump start battery and it does the exact same thing I would say it's the starter. You asked where the solenoid is, my guess would be on the starter itself. The dimming lights is what points to bad connection, bad battery or bad starter.
Thanks guys:
here are the results of the latest attempt. I was mistaken when I said that I had run a jumper cable from the positive on the battery to the starter, it was not the starter connection it seems to be the location where the battery cable terminates on the starter. I discovered the starter connection today, I reran my jumper from the battery and the starter motor spun! but this now gives me TWO questions/problems my knowledge of starters is from autos and if it were an auto I would say it had a stuck bendex Is this possible??? the second problem is why won't the key kick the starter over? getting a little frustrated.
thanks again
here are the results of the latest attempt. I was mistaken when I said that I had run a jumper cable from the positive on the battery to the starter, it was not the starter connection it seems to be the location where the battery cable terminates on the starter. I discovered the starter connection today, I reran my jumper from the battery and the starter motor spun! but this now gives me TWO questions/problems my knowledge of starters is from autos and if it were an auto I would say it had a stuck bendex Is this possible??? the second problem is why won't the key kick the starter over? getting a little frustrated.
thanks again
alchemysa
Veteran Member
dkshooter said:
I'd suggest that a starter motor problem is not likely. (As you said it turned over when you ran a cable to to it.). You describe a typical indication of a battery thats lost its grunt, or bad connections somewhere. (Or both). Modern batteries can fail almost instantly. They can indicate 12 volts or turn over a starter when they are directly connected to the starter (as you described) but just cant send enough juice through the usual wiring system. Have you actually tried connecting a second battery to the existing battery using jumper leads. If you have, and and you get a starter click, but it still won't turn over, then its bad connections on the fat cables somewhere. (Most likely the positive cables)
B7800mike
Member
Did the starter just spin or did the Bendix actually engage? My issue this winter was seat switches and not to sound like a newbie but the PTO lever was slightly engaged. This i found out after jumping the starter.
You can also bench test the starter by grounding the case and jumping the terminals. The problem sounds like it is not the starter. If the key will not engage the starter but jumping will. Do you have a volt/ohm meter? Test voltage from battery ground to starter. also test to chassis ground. If ok test the wires Battery to starter should be very little ohms .2 to 1.0. If ok try voltage form the ignition switch to starter. should be close to .2 to 1.0 ohms.
You can also bench test the starter by grounding the case and jumping the terminals. The problem sounds like it is not the starter. If the key will not engage the starter but jumping will. Do you have a volt/ohm meter? Test voltage from battery ground to starter. also test to chassis ground. If ok test the wires Battery to starter should be very little ohms .2 to 1.0. If ok try voltage form the ignition switch to starter. should be close to .2 to 1.0 ohms.jimainiac
Platinum Member
Sounds like you're getting close to the answer. Not to overstate the obvious, but to others reading this, be careful to make sure the tractor is in neutral with pto off when jumping right from the battery to the starter.
B7800mike
Member
Sorry but before the volt meter try a test light they require more draw on the cables to light them instead of the meter. ground the light and test the main cable to the starter should have power. small wire should have power when cranking to engage starter. if it lights your starter is bad.
robbieo11
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 156
- Tractor
- 93 B7100
aaa reminds of my first time changing the fuel filter on my 7100. I umm foregot ya that is to unwrap that filter. I was not happy. worked on it for days to make it live. I even called the green dealer i bought it at told them to come pick it up. i ended up finding the problem withhelp from my 4 year old daughter at the time. i guess u could say my new mechanic lol
