5103 won't start

[mstewart44]

My 2007 model 5103 will not start. The key turns over, lights come on, but the engine does nothing. It is definitely not the battery as I have bright lights and even tried to jump start it to no avail. I confirmed the tractor is in park, I had my foot on the break, clutch, etc. The only thing I didn't check was the PTO to make sure it is not engaged. Dealer wants to "bring it in to the shop" instead of sending the traveling mechanic. Says we never have the part we need when we are out on the call. The work is covered under warranty but he wants $65 for a "trip charge." I don't have a problem with the trip charge, but it just seems to me that this should be something simple he could handle without having to take my tractor all the way into town. Tractor has 18 hours on it. Anyone have any suggestions as what to check?

 

[kennyd]

PTO Selector
Range Selector
Seat Switch

One of these are usually the culpret.

 

[dixie306]

PTO Selector
Range Selector
Seat Switch

One of these are usually the culpret.

try the range selector first, mine isn't that new but it'll do the same thing at times, I have to just gently find the right spot and it'll fire right up

 

[mstewart44]

Got the dealership's service dept on the phone today and we trouble shot the problem this afternoon. After taking the front panel off to get access behind the "dash board" it looks like a field mouse had chewed a wire in half. Touched the wires together and it cranked up just fine. Many thanks to the folks at Greensouth in Thomasville, GA (where I bought the tractor). The local dealer (closer to where the tractor actually is located) were not really much help. They don't even have a traveling repair man. They wanted to bring it in to the shop, which was totally unnecessary. Anyway, spliced the wires back together and I'm back in business.

 

[Ken Cunningham]

I have a friend that is a JD salesman and he told me one of his customers had a detached garage where he kept his tractor all winter without using it. When it started to warm up he was gonna use it but it wouldnt start. Mice had eaten up all of the wires and even some of the guage panel stuff. Very expensive to fix.