2320 Electrical Question

[sseelhoff]

I have a three year old (4/5/08) JD 2320. Used it last week without problems. Tried to start it this afternoon, and got dim dash lights, but no start. Faint clicks heard. All lights worked. Checked all the wires, everything was fine. Finally jump started it, and had it running.

Drove it up front to mow. When I hit the PTO (with throttle open), the engine died. Then the fun began. Restarted with a jump again, and when I went to open the throttle to bring it up to speed for the PTO, it died. Never could get it to run with open throttle and no PTO, and then, after jumping several times, would not remain running when the jumper cables removed. Finally got it to run at minimum throttle so I could take it back to the barn. Turned it off, and everything is dead. No lights, no dash lights, nada.

I"m not very mechanically or electrically inclined. Is this just a dead battery issue, or could it be a solenoid or alternator? My inclination is dead battery, but the fact that it was running, and stalled out with PTO engaged, and then just adding revs after that confuses me.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks y'all.

 

[Wildbill34]

If I had to make a bet, I would say to check your ground wire to your battery. Then I would check the grounds from your electrical side and your inline fuses. I had the same problem a few years ago. I ended up putting a automotive fuse box in and the a new ground to the battery and then regrounded all the electrical. Took a while but never had a problem since. The grounding wire JD uses is suspect in my mind based upon what I seen when I did mine.

 

[Runner]

Sounds to me like JDBS (John Deere Battery Syndrome). JD batteries are known to be junk. Most don't last more that a couple of years. Mine died at two years of age.

 

[PCABE5]

I had this problem with my old 2320 and in it's case it was the battery was bad. Replaced and never had another problem. Once jump started I could run electronics off the alternator but if she quit you needed another jump.

 

[Tx Jim]

When did this John Deere Battery Syndrome start with JD batteries?????????? I've got a set on my JD 4255 that have been on it for overs 6 yrs. This tractor sets all winter because I only use it now to pull a rd baler. I do crank it once a month and it started just fine the last time I started it.

sseelhoff's starting problem sounds like the classic poor battery ground cable connection as has already be stated.

 

[jenkinsph]

If you were jumping across the battery terminals and the tractor started it is more likely you have a bad battery, If you connected the ground clamp to the frame it might be either the battery or the ground cable.

I would check the ground cable connections and test the battery to determine which is the problem. You may have other problems too but you have to start eliminating things to get to the end result.

 

[sseelhoff]

If you were jumping across the battery terminals and the tractor started it is more likely you have a bad battery, If you connected the ground clamp to the frame it might be either the battery or the ground cable.

I would check the ground cable connections and test the battery to determine which is the problem. You may have other problems too but you have to start eliminating things to get to the end result.

Thanks everyone, for your responses.

I did jump across the battery terminals, not to the frame. I'll start with the battery, and go from there. What really threw me was the engine stalling out when I applied PTO after running a while, and then not stalling out at full throttle after re-jumping. That part has me flummoxed.

 

[EdC]

Sounds almost identical to what happened to my 2320 last year. Ended up being a bad battery and a loose nut below the wheel.:laughing: The nut that secures the ignition switch backed off so that the switch could twist when the key was twisted in the ignition. I should have noticed that but didn't.

 

[kennyd]

Sounds to me like JDBS (John Deere Battery Syndrome). JD batteries are known to be junk. Most don't last more that a couple of years. Mine died at two years of age.

That is GREAT:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[kennyd]

When did this John Deere Battery Syndrome start with JD batteries??????????

Been like this for years-at least with the smaller ones. A search of the term "optima" will turn up LOTS of threads about dead and/or leaking (all over the tray and hydro coolers) JD batteries.