Put in a new Battery, got nothin' - I am not dumb, but maybe I'm not bright?

[FreddyFlynn]

I bought a LS tractor knowing diddle squat about tractors, but man do I love it now. I put in a new battery for the winter, I got nothing. I checked the terminals, clean. I checked to make sure I didn't put it in backwards. I tightened it down with a torque wrench. I swore at it a lot. I am not getting lights, dashboard activity, not a sign of life. I know nothing of tractors but I am ok with cars. Does this have a starter solenoid? Is there some sort of reset button when you change the battery that I cannot find? Anyone have any ideas apart from taking it to a shop 200 miles away?

 

[4570Man]

Did you put a volt meter on the battery? Occasionally new ones are dead. Also did you remove the plastic shipping covers from the terminals?

 

[FreddyFlynn]

I don't have one but it could be that. No plastic terminals that I remember, but a great thought because I had the guy put in the plugs and of course it is already darker than a black goat at night. Thank you for the ideas!

 

[4570Man]

Do you have a jump pack that you could hook up to see if anything happens? You probably need to pickup a multi meter and a test light to proceed much further. Are the battery cables the factory ends and reasonably good condition or are they rigged up?

 

[FreddyFlynn]

Well I do but I am going to need a tractor to pull it to a location with a plug. I just wouldn't think you would need to jump a new battery but maybe they sold me a lemon. Do you know if there is any safe switch that flips when you take out a battery? I could be just making that up in my head, but I am just frustrated. I will swing by ACE tomorrow and pick up that multi meter - It would be nice to have on hand.

 

[4570Man]

Do you know if there is any safe switch that flips when you take out a battery? .

Typically no but I have seen fuses blow when the battery was messed with. There’s usually multiple batteries cables. Did you get them all hooked up?

 

[FreddyFlynn]

Well I thought I would ask, like I said, new to tractors and I am just worried that it something so simple I am overlooking. It was just the grounding cable that connected to the metal plate the battery sits on and the positive wire bundle that goes back into the engine.

 

[4570Man]

Can you post a picture of the battery in the tractor?

 

[anomad]

A test light is cheaper than a volt meter if you don't want to jump into that. It won't tell you the voltage, but it will tell you if it is dead as a door nail or not. Do you have a battery charger? A free test would be to swap in your car (or any known good) battery temporarily and see if the tractor lights up.

 

[FreddyFlynn]

Can you post a picture of the battery in the tractor?

Give me 10 mins - I am in the middle of putting up the chickens

 

[FreddyFlynn]

A test light is cheaper than a volt meter if you don't want to jump into that. It won't tell you the voltage, but it will tell you if it is dead as a door nail or not. Do you have a battery charger? A free test would be to swap in your car (or any known good) battery temporarily and see if the tractor lights up.

Would the car battery fry the living bejeezus out of the tractors system, I am sure they are different in power. I would imagine a tractor battery is just really to help start yeah? Maybe I am wrong, lol, I really do not know.

 

[anomad]

Typically no but I have seen fuses blow when the battery was messed with. There’s usually multiple batteries cables. Did you get them all hooked up?

Checking fuses is a good idea.

 

[anomad]

Would the car battery fry the living bejeezus out of the tractors system, I am sure they are different in power. I would imagine a tractor battery is just really to help start yeah? Maybe I am wrong, lol, I really do not know.

No. They are both 12 volt systems and the battery is interchangeable.

 

[Carl_NH]

Not to interfere with the current (or lack thereof ) diagnostic events, why did you need to replace the battery in the first place?

 

[Wagtail]

Would the car battery fry the living bejeezus out of the tractors system, I am sure they are different in power.

No, they both should be 12 volts.

You could always jump-start using your vehicle and a set of jumper cables.

Make sure that the tractor is definitely in NEUTRAL Sometimes it can be fidgety to be in the actual neutral position, especially if yours is a hydrostatic.

Also, ensure that the parking brake is fully in & engaged.

 

[FreddyFlynn]

Can you post a picture of the battery in the tractor?

 

[FreddyFlynn]

No, they both should be 12 volts.

You could always jump-start using your vehicle and a set of jumper cables.

Make sure that the tractor is definitely in NEUTRAL Sometimes it can be fidgety to be in the actual neutral position, especially if yours is a hydrostatic.

Also, ensure that the parking brake is fully in & engaged.

I can try that, didnt even cross my mind to jump start from the jeep.

 

[FreddyFlynn]

Not to interfere with the current (or lack thereof ) diagnostic events, why did you need to replace the battery in the first place?

I will not charge you with interference, not a terminal offense. Because starting was getting slower and its been in there for 4 years. Did not want to hit winter with a questionable battery. I live in Buffalo and use my LS to get the drive clear. Also gives me an excuse to drive the tractor in the winter.

 

[Cycledude]

So you live in Buffalo New York and the nearest LS dealer is 200 miles ?

 

[dodge man]

I’d check the fuses, a chance you blew one changing the batter. I’d also check you negative batter cable where it’s grounded.