Engine warning and battery charging indicators

[chrisclark]

So my tractor--an XR4046HC--has less than 5 hours on it and a couple of warning lights have come on.

• I first noticed the battery charging indicator this morning. I had tried to start the tractor 3 times last night, but it didn't want to start. Not surprising since it was about 6?ｺ and the engine block heater isn't hooked up yet. I contacted the dealership and the sales guy I worked with had the same thought I did: the 3 failed attempts without success may have used a good bit of electricity and that running the tractor for a while might work it out. I ran it for a while this evening to finish unloading the rear blade and the battery charging indicator is still on.
• I first noticed the engine warning indicator this evening while unloading the rear blade from the top of the mower deck. Nothing strenuous.

Has anyone had these indicators come on before or know what they mean? What are the implications? The manual has a basic description of each, but it's a bit short on details.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[TomSeller]

Why isn't the block heater hooked up? Dealer issue?

 

[oosik]

I can think of quite a few items that could cause those conditions. However, with a brand new tractor - let the dealership diagnose & solve the problems.

Items - loose fan belt(s), bad alternator or charging electronics, cold temps starting techniques etc, etc.

 

[k0ua]

Did you measure the charging voltage on the battery terminals? We need to determine if the alternator is charging the battery or not..

 

[chrisclark]

Why isn't the block heater hooked up? Dealer issue?

Extension cord issue. The nearest outside outlet is in the back yard and the dogs ate through the extension cord we were using to plug in the truck a few days ago.

Chris

 

[TomSeller]

Extension cord issue. The nearest outside outlet is in the back yard and the dogs ate through the extension cord we were using to plug in the truck a few days ago.

Chris

Shocking !

 

[chrisclark]

This issue seems to have resolved itself. The dealer said that sometimes the tractors ship with low battery charge and that there might not be enough charge to run a DPF regeneration cycle, which would explain both lights.

My multimeter showed the battery at just 12.17v; the dealer said to expect 12.73v or more.

I graded our road over the weekend, and the warnings have gone away. Before that job, I'd only used the tractor for a minute or two at a time to unload it, put down the attachments, etc., which probably never gave the battery a chance to get a good charge.

Thanks,
Chris