L3400 Cranked, Wouldn't Fire

[TheCommissioner]

Thought I'd share my recent experience with my 2007 L3400 that I could not start. Fortunately we (spouse and me) figured it out.

After returning home on R&R from Afghanistan, I went to start the tractor. It cranked and cranked but wouldn't fire. This is the first time ever that the tractor behaved like that despite sitting idle for long periods of time between R&R's. The tractor has less than 90 lifetime hours and still has the original battery.

Figuring it was the fuel system, I had my wife try to start the tractor while I watched under the hood. Much to my surprise, she got it started! I was like, "What did you do??" Apparently she jiggled the ignition switch and found a sweet spot where contacts were made that enabled the fuel pump to start.

So I bought a new ignition switch for $43 and swapped it out with the malfunctioning one and the tractor started right up. In order to hook up the new switch, it was necessary to pull the instrument panel to gain access.

Moral of the story, I was fixated on a fuel problem and my wife was oblivious to any of it so she had a different paradigm. Therefore, two heads are better than one! I am really thankful this turned out okay because it could have gotten expensive getting a mechanic from the local dealership out there to make the repair.

 

[murphy1244]

Thought I'd share my recent experience with my 2007 L3400 that I could not start. Fortunately we (spouse and me) figured it out.

After returning home on R&R from Afghanistan, I went to start the tractor. It cranked and cranked but wouldn't fire. This is the first time ever that the tractor behaved like that despite sitting idle for long periods of time between R&R's. The tractor has less than 90 lifetime hours and still has the original battery.

Figuring it was the fuel system, I had my wife try to start the tractor while I watched under the hood. Much to my surprise, she got it started! I was like, "What did you do??" Apparently she jiggled the ignition switch and found a sweet spot where contacts were made that enabled the fuel pump to start.

So I bought a new ignition switch for $43 and swapped it out with the malfunctioning one and the tractor started right up. In order to hook up the new switch, it was necessary to pull the instrument panel to gain access.

Moral of the story, I was fixated on a fuel problem and my wife was oblivious to any of it so she had a different paradigm. Therefore, two heads are better than one! I am really thankful this turned out okay because it could have gotten expensive getting a mechanic from the local dealership out there to make the repair.

Good job on Both of you!

 

[ccsial]

Apparently she jiggled the ignition switch and found a sweet spot where contacts were made that enabled the fuel pump to start.

So it was the fuel system. You were right all along.

All kidding aside, thanks for the post. That's good info to know. I wonder if your switch got corrosion from sitting.

 

[k0ua]

I bet a shot of fluid film into the keyhole and a few operations might have fixed it up.. That stuff is amazing.

 

[TheCommissioner]

So it was the fuel system. You were right all along.

All kidding aside, thanks for the post. That's good info to know. I wonder if your switch got corrosion from sitting.

The tractor is stored in a former hog house that has a good roof but open on one end. No water gets on the tractor so I don't think corrosion would happen. But the idea of squirting fluid into the switch is a good one and wish I'd tried that first.