4400HST won't start -- suggestions needed?

[Mike_S]

My 11 year old 4400HST has never failed to start the first crank even when sitting outside in zero degree weather. Suddenly, it struggles to start -- the battery is good so it cranks OK and at 32 degrees it should start without using the air intake heater but would need the heater activated briefly once started. The diesel fuel contains Power Service which is used even in the summer months.

When attempting to start it, it does not even usually try to start although it made a slight effort 4-5 times out of ~50 attempts before it suddenly started like nothing was wrong and ran fine for four hours.

I ran the battery down five times before finally getting it to start yesterday when I needed to clear 15 inches of new snow from several driveways -- once it started, it ran great with full power. Today, it again refuses to start. I even disconnected the seat safety micro switch and jumpered the pigtail and eliminated that as an issue. The safety switch on the forward and reverse pedals was replaced a few months ago.

The water indicator red ring is still on the bottom of the float bowl and the fuel filter is a year old.

This is a sudden issue -- never happened until yesterday.

Before I call for the dealership to pick it up, I am looking for opinions/suggestions as to things that I could check or try before an expensive service call.

Thanks.

MikeSp

 

[RoyJackson]

Check your ground cable where it mounts to the tractor...as well as the ground cable itself. It doesn't take much corrosion to impede a good electrical flow.
Then, check the starter cable and ground.
Since the machine runs good once started, I'm guessing one or both of the above will correct your problem.

Good luck and let us know what you find!!

 

[creekbend]

Although my tractor is a different make and model, this is what my manual states. BTW, I have a Kubota L4400 gear drive. Air or water may be present in the Fuel system. Check to see if the fuel line coupler bolt and nut are tight. It also states to bleed the fuel system. I sincerely hope that this is of some assistance. Best wishes.

 

[Mechanos]

My 955 got to where it was very difficult to start at 35F or below without the intake heater (my intake heater control module wasn't working and I hadn't replaced it yet). It would require a little time with the block heater plugged in... about 20 minutes or so... before it would start. Once started it seemed to run fine with good power. Over some time on a project where I was working it hard, it became obvious that it was down on power and was losing power. After doing a compression check, I confirmed that it was way down compression in all 3 cylinders. With diesels... low compression can make for difficult cold weather starting. It wouldn't hurt to check the compression on your engine to see where it's at.

 

[JD755]

Is the fuel solenoid pulling in during Start?

 

[Mike_S]

Re: 4400HST won't start -- suggestions needed? (SOLVED)

Thanks to all who responded -- out of desperation, I started out by eliminating one thing at a time, starting with the diesel fuel -- drained it and put in fresh fuel with the usual addition of Power Service and after connecting the battery to my SUV battery (for extra power) and cranking for a while, it started and now starts first time every time just like it has for 11 years -- apparently, the issue was something wrong with the fuel.

Thanks again,

MikeSp