6025 starting problems

cjwyhs · Oct 12, 2008

I just purchased a brand new 6025 last month. The first daay I had the tractor it ran absolutely perfect. I was able to clear out 25 acres in no time. As soon as I finished mowing, I parked it next to the barn and there it sat for the next four weeks. During that time I was offshore and hurricane Ike hit Houston. I know for a fact that the tractor was not flooded and does not appear to be damaged in any way. I checked the fuel and oil and neither show any signs of water. When I went to start the tractor yesterday, I turned on the key, the dash lit up (all except the glow plug indicator) but the engine would not turn over. I double checked that everything was in neutral and tried again. Still nothing. I then decided to hook jumper cables to the battery. As soon as I did this the engine would spin right over, but not fire. I loosened the fuel hose at the pump and hand pumped fuel through it to make sure there was no air in the line, still no fire. I took the dash apart and found little ants everywhere. I cleaned out the ants and started checking all the pig tails and could find no obvious damage. After disconnecting and re-connecting everything I tried the switch again, and now the glow plug light comes on. I waited for it to run it's cycle, then tried to fire it, again with no luck. It just spins over but wont fire. Has anyone encountered anything like this before? I know it's under warranty, but loading it up dead is a royal pain. I'd just as soon fix it myself.

cjwyhs · Oct 12, 2008

Today I found the intake manifold heater timer completely filled with fried ants. The weather here was in the mid 80's. Is this timer necessary for all starting, or only in cold weather?

TheDingy · Oct 13, 2008

There are a new type of fire ants in the south houston area that eat electronics, what part of houston are you in?

cjwyhs · Oct 13, 2008

They are not fire ants, just really small ants. I have no idea why they are all in the wiring, maybe trying to get away from the water during the storm. Doesn't look like they are eating anything, just filled the timer shorting out the circuit board inside.

shvl73 · Oct 13, 2008

I have an old ('93) Hot Springs tub with mechanical switches for the heater. I have had similar problems with small ants getting on the contact points and fouling them. I've taken the whole control board apart more than once to remove them. Sprays and ant cups haven't cured the problem.

civesnedfield · Oct 13, 2008

If everything electrical seems to be fine, I would keep following the fuel. Loosen the low side of the injector pump, and use the primer pump to get the fuel to the injector pump. If the machine still fails to start, I would bleed the injectors, you may need an extra hand to do this. If after bleeding the injectors and it still doesn't start---seek additional advise.

SPYDERLK · Oct 13, 2008

Check your air filter for ants.
larry

cjwyhs · Oct 15, 2008

I finally got the chance to talk to the mechanic at the dealership I purchased the tractor from. He showed me how to trace down the fuel cut off solonoid circuit on a tractor that was in the shop. Today I was able to trace the circuit and found I was not getting any voltage out of the solonoid relay. When I opened the relay, I found it full of ants, just like everything else. I cleaned out the ants, put everything back together, and it started right up. On the plus side, I discovered that ether kills ants. Now I just have to figure out a way to seal off the relays, maybe with some silicone. Does anyone know someone that sells anteaters?

Jerry/MT · Oct 15, 2008

cjwyhs said:
I finally got the chance to talk to the mechanic at the dealership I purchased the tractor from. He showed me how to trace down the fuel cut off solonoid circuit on a tractor that was in the shop. Today I was able to trace the circuit and found I was not getting any voltage out of the solonoid relay. When I opened the relay, I found it full of ants, just like everything else. I cleaned out the ants, put everything back together, and it started right up. On the plus side, I discovered that ether kills ants. Now I just have to figure out a way to seal off the relays, maybe with some silicone. Does anyone know someone that sells anteaters?

I gotta' tell you this is the strangest story I ever heard and I've been around heavy equipment and aircraft for over 45 years. Truth is stranger than fiction!

Sure glad you found and fixed the problem.