2520 No Start

[prosperity]

2520 purchased new July 2007 - currently 108 hours

Went to go mowing this morning - tractor started just fine and loaded on the trailer.

Get to first job - started right up - finished job and loaded on the trailer.

Get to second job - turn the key - dead. Get a faint clicking of the fuel pump with the key on - check headlights - very dim.

Bring it home for some diagnosis. Battery showing 12.7V. Checked the cells with a hydrometer - all showing great at the top of the scale. Checked all main cables between the battery/frame/starter - all perfect condition and connections good.

Hmmm....I remember reading here on the forum where these batteries will die just like that without notice. Did a forum search, and found a couple folks who had the same symptoms where the battery checked out good, but in the end a new battery solved the issue.

I've been through all the diagnostics/testing that I know - just isn't making sense. Even with a jump from my running pickup I get the engine to turn over once slowly and that it is.

So, I am now going to go with the consensus that I have read here and get a new battery. I just hate buying a new battery being this one tests good, but as I have read here, others had the same scenario where a new battery was the ticket.

 

[prosperity]

Something so simple....

2 Deere dealers (1 - 50 miles away, another 75 miles away) none in stock.

Auto Zone - nothing

NAPA - none in stock - getting one brought in for Sunday from the warehouse.

After all this I sure hope it really is the battery!

 

[smalltown]

Your right you would think that batteries would be in stock!

 

[sldva00]

... Even with a jump from my running pickup I get the engine to turn over once slowly and that it is...

I had this problem, the only difference was that my tractor started immediately with a jump. If your tractor only turns slowly with a jump, check the starter.

I also read where your lights were dim, that is a sign of a bad battery.

Good luck troubleshooting

 

[fuseboxer]

:thumbsup:I have had a low battery that a good battery could not jump. The good battery was draining into the bad and not enough current flow to start. With the old battery pulled and a jumper stuck in the tractor started.

I do not believe I need a special battery for my tractors. I only go with size and cranking amps. I put a car battery clamp in the front of my JD4410 and can use 90% of anything at Walmart with old style top posts. Many have top and side. I look at price, quality, size, crankamp.

 

[Greenblood2011]

You can take the battery to a parts store and they'll load test it. It will most likely fail. If you have a voltmeter hook to the battery and watch the voltage as you try to crank the engine, if the voltage drops off below 7 or 6 volts it's likely junk.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Dim lights, slow or no crank? I would look to the ground circuit. Make sure the ground cable connection from the Neg terminal to the chassis is nice and clean and making good contact. Check to make sure if the cable has a lug on the end that the cable is in good condition where it joins to the lug. Check the Pos cable as well. I have seen cables that look perfectly fine on the outside and have 1 strand connected.

Tom

 

[p0peye]

Had this just happen to me on my JD 455 started fine used it then shut it off for a few min to do something when I went to start it was dead nothing. I was ready to buy a new battery but decide to remove the cables and clean both pos and neg also the battery posts with wire brush once shine was achieved reconnected and tighten. problem solved has been fine ever since so give it a try nothing to lose. Good Luck

 

[prosperity]

Thanks for all the help and ideas.

I checked and double checked all the cables and connections - all good, no corrosion anywhere - all connections good and tight, etc. Also cleaned the battery terminals and cable ends.

Picking up the new battery tomorrow - will update tomorrow evening with hopefully good news.

Edit to add: Thanks for the tip Greenblood2011 - I am going out to the barn right now to check the voltage on the battery while trying to crank.

 

[prosperity]

OK - battery measures 12.67 volts.

I had my wife turn the key while I had the volt meter hooked up - when the key is on "start" voltage reads 2.87 volts.

Now I feel better about buying a $100 battery!

And my wife is so proud of me dragging her out to the barn in the dark.......