Battery? Starter? Solenoid? Other?

[adt2]

Used the tractor the other day to move some stuff around. Parked it overnight, went to use it the next morning and nada - no lights, no solenoid click, nothing.

Put the charger on it overnight, charger says battery is fully charged. I'm at a bit of a loss now. I've ordered and received a new solenoid, but before I ask "how do I install the solenoid," I thought I'd ask whether anybody had any idea what's actually going on.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[davesl708]

Did you load test the battery and check for loose wires?
Also, are you getting 12v to the starter solenoid? Loose ground wires can also give you a dead switch.

 

[davesl708]

Did you load test the battery and check for loose wires?
Also, are you getting 12v to the starter solenoid? Loose ground wires can also give you a dead switch.

 

[Looking4new]

Before I did any of the above I would get some fluid film and shoot it into the switch through the key hole and turn the switch vigorously several times. The problem may be in the switch.

 

[Clint S]

No lights = not a starter issue. Your solenoid is not bad. You need a volt meter. My guess is a bad ground. Remove and clean battery terminals and check voltage.

 

[California]

No lights = not a starter issue. Your solenoid is not bad. You need a volt meter. My guess is a bad ground. Remove and clean battery terminals and check voltage.

Agree. Good battery but no electricity available for either the headlights or the starter, means the battery is no longer connected to the electrical system. If you have a voltmeter see if voltage is available beyond the battery, and trace to the point where it doesn't reach. Or just start by cleaning the battery terminals. This is by far the most likely to be the problem.

 

[Markey]

It's usually the simple stuff that causes such electrical problems. Check the simple stuff FIRST!!

 

[adt2]

I have volt meter but no idea how to use it as y'all are recommending. I'm working on the terminals now.

 

[California]

Set the meter on DC, 20 volt range (or anything higher than 13 volts).

Touch negative terminal of the meter to the negative terminal on the battery. Red to positive. If you see around 12.5 volts the meter works ok.

I would then move the voltmeter's negative probe to some chassis ground - an unpainted bolt, etc. Still see 12 volts? If nothing, there's no path between the battery's negative terminal and chassis ground. Investigate.

Leave negative at the same chassis ground, and touch the meter's positive probe to something beyond the battery that should have 12 volts. First the battery's connector, then the far end of the heavy cable that goes to the starter. From there a wire goes up to the ignition switch. If the switch is accessible, see if 12 volts arrives up there too. At some point you will find a location that should have 12 volts, and doesn't.

 

[adt2]

Aaaaand "simple stuff first" wins again. As I was poking around near the starter, I noticed a frayed wire. When I touched it it broke in two. Touching the bare ends together produced a tiny spark, followed by a working tractor.

As usual, thanks for the guidance.