B2910 Starting Problem

[clarksvilleal]

I recently posted another message regarding the B2910 glow plug light going on intermittently while the tractor was running. A couple of people suggested checking the ignition switch connections and the switch itself.

I had not gotten around to doing this, partly because I didn't know how to get to the switch. Today, I have a new problem which may or may not be related - I cannot start the tractor using the key. When I turn the key to the start position, the lights on the dash go on but nothing happens - no starter noise, no engine turning , no clicking of a starter relay.

I can, however, easily start the tractor by connecting an automotive remote starter switch to the starter's battery terminal and the spade lug on the starter that has a white/black wire connected to it. With the key in the on position the tractor starts immediately when I press the button on the remote starter switch connected as described above.

So two questions:

1) Is this problem likely to be caused by a bad ignition switch?

2) Can someone tell me the steps needed to get to the ignition switch?

It looks to me like I will probably have to take the steering wheel and the throttle lever off first, and a large Phillips screw that holds the black plastic cover in place. Is that right, and are there any other things I need to remove before trying to take the black cover off?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Al

 

[easygo]

If there is no click either when you turn the key there may be a blown fuse. I would check that before doing anything else. In any case if the tractor is still under warranty I'd contact the dealer. Electrical problems can be frustrating to say the least.

Edit: I see it is a 2910 not a 2920 so I guess you are probably long out of warranty.

 

[BeezFun]

2) Can someone tell me the steps needed to get to the ignition switch?

It looks to me like I will probably have to take the steering wheel and the throttle lever off first, and a large Phillips screw that holds the black plastic cover in place. Is that right, and are there any other things I need to remove before trying to take the black cover off?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Al

Service manual has only one step to get at the switch: "Remove the panel board". The picture shows the steering wheel and boot still in place and the instrument panel board removed, exposing the switch and everything you want to get to, so it sounds like it should be easy to remove. It kind of looks like there are a number of screws that attach from the firewall side to hold on the panel. You might try looking behind there real good to see what you find.

 

[herringchoker]

If it's the same as my B7800, there are 2 slots on the top edge of the instrument panel where you can insert a flat screwdriver and just pop the panel upward from the cowling.

 

[taborekle]

Have you tried cycling all the levers. Could it be a safety switch? If I bump the PTO lever out of detent it won't start.

Larry

 

[clarksvilleal]

Problem Solved ! Thanks to all who offered suggestions.

It turns out the safety interconnect switch for the 2500 RPM PTO lever (which controls the belly mower) was loose. I figured this out after going through a couple of hours of diagnosis, during which I took off the control panel and then the ignition switch, tested the switch with an ohmmeter, and tried to hotwire the connector that had been attached to the switch after figuring out what the function of each of the four wires that connected to it was. When the hotwire didn't work, I was certain that it had to be one of the safety interconnects and not the ignition switch. So Larry had the right idea, but unfortunately it took me a while to pinpoint the problem.

I had already checked to see if each PTO lever was in the correct position, but after the ignition switch testing, something told me to push on the 2500 RPM PTO lever while turning the key to the start position and Voila! - the tractor started right up :thumbsup:. I then located the safety interconnect switch under the tractor, behind the right rear tire, and it was immediately obvious that it was loose. There are two big nuts that are used both to adjust the switch position and to fasten it tightly to a bracket under tractor, just behind the left rear wheel. One or both had backed off, from vibration over time, I suppose. So I adjusted them and tightened them and the tractor now starts flawlessly every time.

BTW, Herringchoker's suggestion was correct about being able to just pop off the control panel. Unfortunately I had to learn how to take it off the hard way, having done it before seeing herringchoker's post. So I first removed the steering wheel and throttle lever, then the black "cover panel" that the control panel is mounted in, only to learn that the control panel does indeed pop out. It is held in by 5 spring clips - two on each side and one in the top center. Sounds like it is mounted exactly the same as the one on his B7800.

I am actually happy I did the unnecessary dis-assembly and testing, because I learned a lot in the process that may come in handy in the future: how to get to things behind the control panel, how to test the ignition switch, etc. And, I learned how to override the interlock switches if necessary using a remote starter switch to start the tractor. Could come in handy in a pinch if one of the switches fails in the future.