Mahindra 5500 won't start, no headlights or horn

Tooler969 · Nov 23, 2016

I did find the two 10a fuses and they checked good. I haven't checked the ignition switch yet or have not called the dealer year. Waiting on the weather to cooperate so I can work on it again.

RNeumann · Nov 23, 2016

I haven't used this number but it may be worth a shot.

Tooler969 · Nov 23, 2016

Thanks

RNeumann · Nov 24, 2016

I ran this by a buddy of mine and I need to correct one of my previous theories. He believes (since the diagram doesn't show a fuse) that they probably did use the fusible wire between the battery and the ignition switch. It may or may not show damage so the only definitive diagnosis is with a meter.

He also agrees that checking for power at the ignition switch would be wise. All of the items that don't seem to be working are powered off of the ignition switch (either by relay or directly) including the timer relay (which is excited by the ignition).

Good luck and keep us posted.

Tooler969 · Nov 26, 2016

A lesson in humility and back to basics. Even though I had 12.6 volts at the starter and at the ignition switch, I pulled the intake out of the way and wiggled the positive battery cable and the headlights came on. There must have been enough contact to allow voltage to come through the corrosion. Once I wiggled the battery cable and got the headlights, I turned the ignition over to start it with nothing but a click and the headlights went off again. I tried the cable wiggle a couple of times followed by a starting attempt with the same results, a click and loss of lights. Not until I removed the cable connector and vigorously cleaned the post and inside of the connector would it start without arcing out. A lesson learned for the simple stuff. Thanks for the help from everyone and hopefully this will help someone down the road.

Ford850 · Nov 26, 2016

I'm glad to hear you found the problem. I learned "bright and tight" from the Yesterdays Tractors site years ago, and many of the members there are over her too. It's amazing how good a connection can appear, but simple oxidation and/or 'a little less than tight' can leave you dead in the water.