2210 Starting problem

davsch · Jan 7, 2010

I keep my 2210 inside where its about 30 degrees right now. I used it this morning to move some snow. Got home tonight and the plow had filled my driveway again so went to move that. Put it in gear and turned the key about 3-4 times to let the glo plugs heat and everything acted normally. Then I put it in neutral and turned the key to start. Starter gave one chug ... like it had engaged the flywheel and maybe even turned it a few degrees then ... nothing. Turn the key and nothing happens. Put it back in gear and tried the glo plugs again and it appears they don't work now either. Checked the glo plug / starter fuse and its good (can definitely tell when I've pulled it out ...no lights on the dash or anything). I tried tapping on the starter a bit with a hammer in case its just stuck but no luck there (but I didn't hit too hard either!)

Now, when I put it in gear and turn the key, the 2 lights on the dash don't dim, and I don't hear any clicking like normal. When I put it in neutral and turn the key, the lights go out and one of them slowly comes back on real dim but nothing else happens.

Its -20 here and the wind is howling and I need to get to work tomorrow morning. Anybody got ANY ideas what to do / check / try? My next attempt is to pull the starter and make sure nothing is stuck or jammed or full of ice. Also wondering about the safety switch on the gearshift but am not sure where to find it. Other than that, I have NO idea where to look for the problem.

I plugged in the block heater in hopes that I could warm it up good overnight and maybe it would fix itself. (Nice dream anyway, huh?)

Please HELP!!

davsch · Jan 7, 2010

I just tried turning the engine by hand with the fan. I can move it a back and forth with no problem. That should disengage the starter if was stuck so I don't think its that.

Henri88 · Jan 7, 2010

I would put my money on the battery. Try your head lights, if they are dim, then its your battery or a bad connection at the post.

kennyd · Jan 8, 2010

Henri88 said:
I would put my money on the battery. Try your head lights, if they are dim, then its your battery or a bad connection at the post.

I will second that...Battery, how old is it? Put a voltmeter on the terminals and watch the voltage when you try to start it.

Oh, And Welcome to TBN

Deadman · Jan 8, 2010

Thats exactly how my 2210 battery died. Great one day, junk the next day.

davsch · Jan 8, 2010

Well, I guess you guys know what you're talking about. I checked the battery terminals and they looked good and solid with just a small bit of corrosion. I try to make sure they stay clean so thought I'd clean them up then try the battery tests. When I took the plus side off it fell apart. Then I looked in my file and discovered this thing is already 7 years old so probably time for a new battery. So, I'm off to town to try to find a new battery and battery cable without paying JD prices. I'll let ya know tomorrow how it all turns out.

Thanks so much for getting me headed in the right direction...

kennyd · Jan 8, 2010

Consider yourself VERY lucky you got 7 years out of it!

fgross335_2210 · Jan 8, 2010

If your battery was seven years old, you must have a 1st-year 2210. I have one too and my battery died in the fall of 2008. Started leaking around the terminals and I was concerned with corrosion issues.

Considering that most of these tractors are not used daily, 6-7 years for a battery is exceptional-

davsch · Jan 9, 2010

Yes, this is a first year model. Even the dealer hadn't seen one yet.

As for the starting problem, its all fixed and thanks too all of you for your advice. I took the battery to Batteries Unlimited and they checked it and said it was still good, still producing something like 700 amps. I showed him my battery cable and he said he would just put a new end on it but he didn't have one. Told me where to get the end I needed and I did as he said. Total cost of repair ... $1.56! ... and a few hours of my time of course.

So, the battery is still going and my driveway is clean as a whistle again. All the snow is WAAY out in the trees while my neighbor has his piled about 8-10 feet high. I LOVE snowblowers!

I attribute the long battery life to the fact that it has never been allowed to get colder than about 30 degrees. In the winter I keep it in my house garage which usually stays above freezing. Also, as was mentioned, this tractor doesn't run everyday. In fact, its 7 years old and only has about 250 hours on it. Hard to believe as it seems like I'm always using it for something!

Anyway, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all for your help!

In a week or two I should have my soft cab for it. Then I hope to move snow in comfort. No more snow in the face or sitting on my legs and hopefully my fingers will stay warmer too! I'll let ya know.

Deadman · Jan 10, 2010

Save yourself the future problems, and get a replacement battery and either have it ready,or just install it. When your battery dies, you KNOW it will be on a Sunday and you'll need to use it.
Muchless if its when you go take a break, and shut the tractor off outside,and then it won't start.......then you get to work out in the cold to fix it.
Don't put yourself thru this needless issue, just get a new one and forget about it. You are already on borrowed time...........