BX 23 won't start

[gerford]

I went out this morning to clear some snow from the driveway and I fired up the tractor. I backed it out of the garage to warm it up outside. I hopped of the seat and the engine quit and now it won't restart. I am guessing its the switch that senses when the HST is in neutral. I tried to find a switch on the floor pedal and can't seem to find it. Unfortunately the tractor is out in the snow instead of the nice warm garage. Any ideas on where the switch is? The machine is in neutral and the battery seems fine since it fired up in the garage. I did plow yesterday for a few hours and I stopped a neighbors to chat and it did not start right away like it usually does. It did get it going after moving a few levers and talking to it politely. The operator position switch seems to work since the engine quit when I raised off the seat.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[ChuckinNH]

Do you have winter additive in your fuel, and have you checked the fuel filter bowl to see if your fuel is gelling?

 

[310-510]

Checking the pto lever on the left fender. Sounds just like what happened to me when mine was new.

 

[gerford]

Its not a fuel problem, the starter motor won't fire. Its some kind of electrical switch that is not doing its job. I looked at the PTO lever and wiggled it and its in the same position its always been in.
When I raised off the seat this morning, the engine just quit. It acted just like when you are moving and you sit up on the seat, the engine dies. It seems like the switch for the HST or the seat switch. Since the engine died when I raised off the seat, it seems like the seat switch is working fine. The glow plug light comes on when I move the ignition switch, but turning the ignition switch further does not fire up the starter motor.

 

[BotaBigot]

I have a BX24, which may be a little different from the 23. On occasion, I've had mine fail to start because the HST pedal was sticking slightly off neutral. Otherwise, I'd suspect one of the safety switches or associated linkages. Per my WSM, there are two switches on the seat, the seat switch (left front corner) and the seat reverse switch (underneath right side). Then there's the rear PTO (behind l rear wheel, near lever linkage), and HST neutral (behind r rear wheel on trans case) switches. First, I'd try to locate switches and silicone spray plungers, in case weather/water is culprit. Otherwise, it's ohmmeter time...

 

[ChuckinNH]

Ah, you were on it when it quit. I thought fuel because you said it quit running, and I thought it was just warming up in the yard, and died.....

 

[638]

If it died when you raised up off of the seat, it will be the HST pedal switch. Try rocking the pedal back and forth while holding the key in the start position.

ron

 

[638]

Another thing that it may be. Neutral shift lever switch. Move it back and forth while holding the key in the start postion.

ron

 

[KeithInSpace]

I wasn't aware there was a position sensor on the treadle...there isn't one on mine, I don't think. There is a seat switch and a neutral switch that both must be "activated" to start the tractor. I would suspect something in the neutral switch since it is OK to put the tractor in neutral and get off but NOT to have it in gear and get off. Seems all was OK when you started it (bum in the seat and shifter in neutral) and somehow NOT OK when you got off (machine didn't think you were in neutral when your bum got out).

I'd concentrate on that neutral sensor.

 

[gerford]

I was looking for the neutral switch and can't seem to find it. I peeked underneath and I can kind of see where a switch might be, but its buried up high. I'll have to crawl under and track it down.

 

[BotaBigot]

I wasn't aware there was a position sensor on the treadle...there isn't one on mine, I don't think...

May be slightly different between 23 (treadle) and 24 (2 pedals), but I suspect not. Per my WSM, the neutral switch is back where the linkage enters the transaxle (WSM sez to R&R rear wheel to get to it)...

 

[gerford]

I found the neutral switch and it was not being activated. The linkage has an arm that comes out and hits the switch when its in neutral. The arm is loose and it slid off to the side so it didn't hit the switch. I can't see what it takes to fix the problem permanently, but it's running. I tried to take a picture of it, but of course the batteries died in my camera. The switch is back where the linkage enters the transmission.
Thanks for the help.

 

[638]

Disconnect that neutral switch. It makes for an unsafe situation if you have to start/restart the tractor on a hill as the BX23 does not have very good brakes. You found the switch, now just pull the plug off of it and insert a jumper wire in the plug. Tape it up good to prevent any shorts and tie it to the wiring under the seat.

ron

 

[gerford]

I agree on the unsafe situation. My wife was bringing the tractor down a hill between the barn and house and she sat up in the seat. The engine quit. She moved the transmission to neutral and the tractor took off down the hill. She made the sharp right hand tun at the bottom, but just barely. We were doing some remodeling so the yard had about 5 trucks in it and she managed to miss them all. It was a dangerous situation. It makes sense to get rid of that switch. I never use the brakes or the parking brake since the they don't work worth a darn. It's todays project to bypass it. Thanks

 

[gerford]

♠I put the tractor on the jacks to fix the pedal neutral switch. I took a couple of pictures to show the misalignment. I bent the plate that holds the switch and the linkage now aligns with the switch. I'm not sure what caused the linkage to come out of alignment since its buried way up between the frames, but its working now. I haven't posted pics before so I hope it works.

 

[cheekme]

I have a neighbor with a BX23 and he had this problem. I was able to point him in the right direction because of these postings. It's a great help for us small tractor owners to have this service. I recently got help on this site with an L35 issue. Thanks.

 

[ibnxe]

I agree on the unsafe situation. My wife was bringing the tractor down a hill between the barn and house and she sat up in the seat. The engine quit. She moved the transmission to neutral and the tractor took off down the hill. She made the sharp right hand tun at the bottom, but just barely. We were doing some remodeling so the yard had about 5 trucks in it and she managed to miss them all. It was a dangerous situation. It makes sense to get rid of that switch. I never use the brakes or the parking brake since the they don't work worth a darn. It's todays project to bypass it. Thanks

gerford,
It sounds like the unsafe condition lies with your brakes. I own a BX23 since new and the brakes work well enough to stop the tractor on a steep down hill grade. I've heard complaints about the BX23s brakes in other threads, and guess I don't understand. If I set the parking brake, then try to move the tractor in high range, it won't move. I can force it ahead in low range but it is noticably resisting moving.
Is it possible that your brakes are mis-adjusted?

 

[ssgdecorte]

I don't have a reply I have a question. My B7510dt-r will not start. I was using it for awhile and then had to stop it to do something else. Now it will not start. I made all the adjustments to the levers and it still would not start. I read your-all's comments about the safety switches. I jumped out the neutral and PTO switches and even jumped out the clutch switch. Nothing It has plenty of battery power. When I turn on the ignition I get nothing, just a click and dash board lights. Any suggestions?

 

[tommu56]

First off welcome!


This thread was started over 2 years ago.
I would start a new thread or search on "start problems" the equipment doesn't matter the the process is the same.

here you go
these are general instructions for most equipment.

Does the solenoid click at all?
Does it turn over?
Battery charged ?

Remove battery terminals and clean them bright put back together try it again.

Do you have a volt meter and know how to use it?
If so
Measure from ground to the positive side of the battery ≈ 12v ok
try and start while on positive terminal still ≈ 12?
Measure at the large terminal at the starter while trying to start 0v?

Go to the solenoid and measure the larger terminal from the battery try and start ≈ 12v

Do the same on the big terminal on the solenoid to the starter measure voltage while trying to start ≈ 12v

Check the starter big terminal while trying to start again should be 12v

check the solenoid small terminal (usually marked S) while cranking.

Just a note on SS some on my tractor Bx23 are 3 pole and make different circuits in different positions so just jumping them might not work

A schematic is all ways helpful for my non electrical friends I use a colered pencil to mark out the circuit and put test points on it so they can follow it through Ill look on the web for a print in the mean time

tom

 

[thelegendvaslett]

where is the location of those switches I know where the seat ones are but where are the other 2