BX23D with Starter Relay No Crank Issues

rgarraton · May 5, 2025

I have been going crazy this past week trying to figure out what's going on with my 2005 BX23D. I had no start issues a few years back and installed a starter relay, which solved my problems. But they've since returned. Just prior to going out this time, I had to press my pedal (forward and reverse) to get it to crank over. I stepped off of the tractor and it shut off. I have not been able to get it going since. I've replaced the seat safety switch, which was broken, but bypassed. I know it cranks because I can crank the starter directly or by passing the neutral safety switch. By the way, when I bypass the neutral safety switch, the tractor starts the moment I turn the key to warm the glow plug. While it runs, the engine revs high and the starter solenoid is still engaged on the flywheel. I installed a new neutral safety switch, and it still didn't crank. I replaced the 12 year old battery, and nothing. I checked the fuses, and nothing was blown. What am I missing? Thank you in advance for your help.

ultrarunner · May 5, 2025

Any of the safeties can be a no crank…

Treadle position, seat, hydro selector, etc.

On my BX my hydro selector safety bracket was bent going through a big… once I cleaned the debris I was able to straighten the bracket and all was good.

rgarraton · May 6, 2025

ultrarunner said:
Any of the safeties can be a no crank…

Treadle position, seat, hydro selector, etc.

On my BX my hydro selector safety bracket was bent going through a big… once I cleaned the debris I was able to straighten the bracket and all was good.

I'll check for debris. I blew it out once before, but I did find crap in other places where I missed.

Kubota Red · May 6, 2025

When running, if you get out of the seat and the unit shuts off, it is most likely either the PTO switch (PTO "on" will prevent starting and will kill unit when the seat switch is not activated) or the pedal (HST neutral) switch (if not in neutral, the unit will not start and the unit will shut down when the seat switch is not activated). Since this is a TLB, it is possible that you may have simply turned the PTO on (accidently) and you do not even know it.

rgarraton · May 7, 2025

Kubota Red said:
When running, if you get out of the seat and the unit shuts off, it is most likely either the PTO switch (PTO "on" will prevent starting and will kill unit when the seat switch is not activated) or the pedal (HST neutral) switch (if not in neutral, the unit will not start and the unit will shut down when the seat switch is not activated). Since this is a TLB, it is possible that you may have simply turned the PTO on (accidently) and you do not even know it.

I found it! It was the PTO Clutch Lever that was not making contact with the safety switch.