2008 Kioti CK20 Start Issues - "Signal Flasher Black Box" Making Noises

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

Good morning everybody. I am hoping for some help on this tractor yet again. It's worked great for me since I moved it to my new property in July and now I am having issues yet again. I have had ongoing issues with the tractor starting. Have replaced a battery, and have had the battery light come on and off at random times, but it has always started up until yesterday.

I went to start it and after warming, turn the key and I was getting a clicking noise coming from the starter. I thought the battery was dead, so I jumped the tractor and went on with my work. I parked it in my heated shop last night and then threw a trickle charger on the batter overnight and when hooking everything back up this morning it was the same issue.

I decided to tap the round piece above the starter (not sure what it's called but it's a shiny metal surface), and after doing that, the symptoms changed and I started hearing some crazy sounds from a spot I have never heard before. I traced the sound to a black box behind the clutch called a "signal flasher". I have posted a video below. If you guys can help me diagnose and fix this it would be great. Winter is coming and I am starting to think I should trade this thing in. It's been nothing but a headache for me since the day I bought it. Also, when I was sold it, I was told there were 322 hours on it. It wasn't until getting it home and using it a few days that I noticed it was stuck at 322, so I have no idea how many real hours it has on it. I probably got screwed.

 

[oldpilgrim]

if you can jump it and it works (worked) ok then you have either a bad battery or most likely dirty cable connections on your battery. Dirty (bad) connections can cause all kinds of issues.

 

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

if you can jump it and it works (worked) ok then you have either a bad battery or most likely dirty cable connections on your battery. Dirty (bad) connections can cause all kinds of issues.

Yes, it jumps fine, and I have had problems with the black terminal not staying on well enough but I tightened it good. The battery is not bad, I just bought it this spring so I can't imagine it's the battery. If it is the battery or terminal, then why all the weird noises coming from the video I posted?

 

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

I should also say that the battery is reading 11.56 when I test it with a voltmeter but still won't turn the tractor over without a car jump

 

[oldpilgrim]

Sorry if I sound very basic here, as I don't know your level of experience with machines or electricity.

Did you clean the inside of the clamps when you replaced the battery?

When you put on the jumper clamps, you are clamping to the outside of the cable connectors...and it seems to be ok..correct?

That means that the inside of the cable connectors are not making a good connection on the battery. A dirty connection can make for low amperage getting across to the starter. Also it can make a high resistance which will increase voltage across other components.

What I hear is a solenoid on the starter clicking very quickly due to a bad electrical supply.

If you use the jumper and it works, then the solenoid is ok. If not then the solenoid could be bad, but I doubt it.

Check the cleanliness of the inside of the battery terminals and make sure that the other ends of the battery cables are tight. One should go to the frame or engine and the other to the solenoid.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I should also say that the battery is reading 11.56 when I test it with a voltmeter but still won't turn the tractor over without a car jump

It should read more than that. Test it when you are trying to start it. Are you testing on the outside of the connectors or directly on the battery posts?

Yes, it jumps fine, and I have had problems with the black terminal not staying on well enough but I tightened it good.

I'm betting this is the issue. It needs to be CLEAN and TIGHT. You should never be able to wiggle, move or pull it off.

 

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

I just tested again and it was 11.92, jumped it, moved it out of my shop. I think you are right about a bad bad bad connection. I am heading to Napa to get new clamps and I will just rewire them. I will be back with an update in a few hours. Thanks so much for your help. I am very basic hear, learning as I go.

 

[ritcheyvs]

I just tested again and it was 11.92, jumped it, moved it out of my shop. I think you are right about a bad bad bad connection. I am heading to Napa to get new clamps and I will just rewire them. I will be back with an update in a few hours. Thanks so much for your help. I am very basic hear, learning as I go.

A good battery should read about 12.5 volts if it's been sitting for a time and slightly over 13 volts right after being charged. In addition to your planned work, check the alternator belt while you are under the hood. A loose belt will undercharge the battery and eventually ruin it.

 

[CitizenOfThePlanet]

Alright. I just replaced the terminals on both + and - and it's doing the same thing. Will not start without a jump. Even when jumped I am seeing the battery light lit up. I have a battery charger and it said this thing was full this morning when I put it back on so there is no reason it should be the battery right?

The battery is reading at 11.56 when the key is turned off. When turning the key on, it drops down really low, as low as 4.5 and will not start, but then when I turn the key back to the off position, it goes back up to 11.56.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Alright. I just replaced the terminals on both + and - and it's doing the same thing. Will not start without a jump. Even when jumped I am seeing the battery light lit up. I have a battery charger and it said this thing was full this morning when I put it back on so there is no reason it should be the battery right?

The battery is reading at 11.56 when the key is turned off. When turning the key on, it drops down really low, as low as 4.5 and will not start, but then when I turn the key back to the off position, it goes back up to 11.56.

if it works with a jumper, and the terminals are clean, then the battery is either low and able to be recharged or low and unable to be recharged sufficiently. If all you're getting is 11.5/4.5v the battery is definitely down and for sure it won't work with those readings.

Is it a sealed battery or can you unscrew the caps to check the electrolyte level ? It may be low on liquid.

So, if the battery will charge, then you have an alternator/voltage regulator/loose belt problem. It's not getting charged when running.

If the battery will not take a charge, you either have a low electrolyte due to overcharging (unlikely) and a bad alternator/voltage regulator or you've got a bum battery..which is what I'm betting on.

Do you have a charger?