02' 4300 won't start

[arkvet]

Used the ole' 4300 to do some snow clearing this past week (not often I get that pleasure here in Arkansas). Everything worked fine. Shut it off two days ago and it sat overnight. Yesterday I sat down in the seat and turned the key. Nothing. Not even an attempt at starting. I made sure my pto was disengaged and that the HST pedals were loose / in neutral position. I put the parking break on (even though I usually never do to start). Still nothing.

No click at all when turning key from off to run position. Small click from K6 module when turning key from run to start position. That's it.

Also, (and this may mean nothing at all)... For the longest time my parking break light has stayed on at all times despite my parking break being off. Now the light is off (even when I put the break on) albeit the tractor isn't running, but when the key is turned to the run and the start position the parking break light is not illuminated (and it has been for a very long time). Again, this may be a total separate issue and have nothing to do with not starting. Just trying to give all the information I have.

I have had the tractor about 3 years and this is the first time for this particular issue.

Hoping someone can give some advice on where my problem probably lies.

Thanks!

 

[John_in_TN]

Have you checked the battery? Sounds like it is dead.

 

[arkvet]

Battery is good. When I bought the tractor it had suffered from the common problem of battery overflow / corrosion that you'll read about in many other threads. I tore it down and replaced the plate that the battery sits on. I then retrofitted a yellow Optima battery. Expensive but by far the best thing I did for the tractor. It was 95% charged showing 12.9v when I tested it yesterday. Terminals are good and clean too.

 

[arkvet]

I didn't remove the battery cables to check but they have zero corrosion and the lights / gauges light up quickly when the key is turned to run position.

 

[samhudson3]

Do a search in this forum for "thermistor." You'll find several threads discussing similar problems. Good luck!

 

[arkvet]

Forgive me if I'm incorrect... but wouldn't the thermistor problem still allow the engine to crank... just not start? My engine won't crank. Other than a small click in the K6 relay/module (when turned to start position) and the lights on the console... there is nothing. Thermistor would keep from starting but it would still crank, right?

 

[Henri88]

Could be a bad ground. When you turn your head lights are they working? Also, even-thou your battery shows 12.9 volt it does not necessarily mean its good. If you have a load tester that could confirm that it holds its load or a volt meter and turn the lights. Then again maybe you have already try that.

 

[arkvet]

weather is pretty nasty here right now... and of course the tractor is out in the elements. I haven't done a load test on the battery and I honestly didn't check to see if the headlights were actually on when the dash lit up. I'm going to start pulling fuses and cleaning connections / terminals and see if I can come up with something.

I've read some old threads that mention a neutral sensor switch that is located under the HST pedals. That may be a place I need to be looking. The tractor was operating perfectly fine and turned off in that condition the day before.

I pulled the k6 relay (the one making the only small click) at lunch and swapped it with and adjacent relay. No change. Click from same k6 slot.

I do NOT have any solenoid click with turning the key to run or start.

I'll check connections... any more suggestions welcome.

 

[Henri88]

Don't forget the ground cable connection, not at the battery as you have already check that one, but at the other end. Keep us up to date. Good luck!

 

[US American]

A bad thermistor will not stop it from turning over. Sounds like a battery related issue.

 

[Ragged Edges]

As US American said, the thermistor problem won't keep it from turning over. I had that problem with my 4500. Check wires/connections to the starter solenoid. My 4500 did the same thing and I wiggled the wires and it started right up. Hasn't done it again so I left it alone. Give it a try, it's worth a shot! Good luck! Mike

 

[mfreund]

Sounds like the battery. I had a 18 month old battery in the Harley this summer that went bad. I showed 12.6 v even when you tried to crank. Had it load tested and had 150a. It needed 450a.

 

[RavensRoost]

OP, if you have not fixed your cranking problem, try jiggling the PTO engagement knob.

 

[arkvet]

weather has still been pretty nasty around here and I haven't had much time to do any trouble shooting. I've done a few surveys and haven't found anything yet. I noticed yesterday that when I turned the key on there was nothing this time... No gauge lights or anything... so the problem seems to have regressed. Lights were powering fine before. The battery itself is fine. It's great. That Optima was the best thing I did for the JD. I've tried lots of jiggling, wiggling, tapping, plug/unplugging, light kicking, cursing, etc... guess I'm going to have to break out the ole' service manual and get all technical. Dang.

Thanks

 

[Egon]

Get down under and check all them safety switches. Could have got some wet snow in and froze.

Or, if possible, Throw a tarp over it and put an electric under that till its nice and warm???

 

[RavensRoost]

arkvet, now it sounds like a bad connection on ground cable at tractor frame. Do headlights work?

 

[footer200]

unplug the pto switch plug from the left side of transmission housing under the seat and put a jumper across the plug end and try it. Thats what is was on my 01 4300 when it would not crank. Rule it out anyway. Then try jumping out at the hydro pedals, much harder to get at. Make sure you get the right one there, when you look from underneath the first plug you see if for the cruise control magnets, the neutral plug is up high in the frame. Let us know?

 

[mjncad]

Is your alternator working properly? I had something similar to your situation and it turned out the alternator was shot, and so was the battery. I replaced both and my 4200 was happy again.

If you have to replace the alternator, get the optional 55-amp unit.

 

[gvhicks]

I had the same problem with my 4300. Neutral switch was bad. I think it is located under the step on the left side. JD mechanic came and fixed it but you can do it yourself and save some $.

 

[RavensRoost]

arkvet, have you got it running yet?