CK30 charging problem

[DIRTCUTTER]

145 hrs on tractor. My ck30 wont turn over, no lights nothing. I jump started and it started. After running about 20 minutes I turn off the tractor, tried to re-start nothing. I jump started it again and ran it loner hoping to charge the battery. Turned off the tractor, tried to re-start nothing. I happen to have a new battery in the barn installed it and the tractor started . Ran the tractor for about 10 minutes let it sit for about 30 minutes, tried to re-start nothing. Something is draining the battery??? I did notice when I connected the red battery cable there was a small spark like something was on. Could something shook loose because I have been using it a some very hard areas.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Check that the plug connecting the alternator is firmly connected. If my memory serves me right, you should hear a 'click' when the two ends are securely connected.

Don

 

[colorblind]

sounds to me like the alternator is not charging and you are running off of battery power. you can try removing the positive cable while it is running if it dies then it could be the alternator or an electrical plug.

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

sounds to me like the alternator is not charging and you are running off of battery power. you can try removing the positive cable while it is running if it dies then it could be the alternator or an electrical plug.

Did like you suggested, the tractor kept running. But when I tried to turn it off with the key it kept running, I had to used the kill switch. Am thinking its something in the switch is draining the battery. Has anybody out there pulled the cover to get to the switch for inspection

 

[colorblind]

while your tractor is running all accessories should be running off of the charging system not the battery. Unless the tractor is setting for a while before you try to start it again it should not drain the battery. If it is setting for a while and you can not track down what is running the battery down you can get a battery cutoff switch at you local auto parts store for around ten bucks. I had to do that on my old Mitsubishi grey market tractor. My earlier advice on removing the positive cable may not have been an accurate test. The only way to stop the diesel engine is through the fuel cut off which the relay probably would not have worked with the battery unhooked. If you have a volt meter you can check the voltage of your battery before you start the tractor a good battery should read at least 12.5 volts. It is possible that a battery can show good voltage but drop under a load from a bad cell, but with a new battery thi is less likely. After you start it check it again while running. you should read around 13.5 volts and it should not drop. If it does drop while running you have a charging problem. good luck

 

[depratt_equip]

sounds to me like the alternator is not charging and you are running off of battery power. you can try removing the positive cable while it is running if it dies then it could be the alternator or an electrical plug.

tractor is diesel so it needs no electric to run.... bet way to test alternator is put a volt meter on it....

 

[VictorW]

You mentioned a spark when you re-attached the positive cable. Something must be asking for power. If you have a 12 volt test light or ohm meter, connect it between the positive post and cable. If the llight is on, you have a drain. The easiest way I start to narrow the search is leave the light connected and pull out one fuse at a time. When the light goes out, that's the fused circuit to start checking for a short. If that doesn't work, the search gets harder.

 

[VictorW]

Jon, Nice to see you are still here.

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

You mentioned a spark when you re-attached the positive cable. Something must be asking for power. If you have a 12 volt test light or ohm meter, connect it between the positive post and cable. If the llight is on, you have a drain. The easiest way I start to narrow the search is leave the light connected and pull out one fuse at a time. When the light goes out, that's the fused circuit to start checking for a short. If that doesn't work, the search gets harder.

To do this test. do I need a battery that is charged ?

 

[VictorW]

Sorry Dirtcutter, Yes you do but it doesn't have to have a full charge. You need enough power to light up your test light or show a flow on the meter. I have always liked a light. A test light will glow without very little battery power and will usually glow a little even if you have a small drain. I have only once come across a drain so small that the light wouldn't glow. It would take two weeks for the battery to go dead. I had to use a meter for that one. I once had the diode trio go bad in the alternator itself which drove me crazy for a while until I found it.
If you give this a try, let us know the results. Hopefully we, TBN members, can help you further if needed.

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

Sorry Dirtcutter, Yes you do but it doesn't have to have a full charge. You need enough power to light up your test light or show a flow on the meter. I have always liked a light. A test light will glow without very little battery power and will usually glow a little even if you have a small drain. I have only once come across a drain so small that the light wouldn't glow. It would take two weeks for the battery to go dead. I had to use a meter for that one. I once had the diode trio go bad in the alternator itself which drove me crazy for a while until I found it.
If you give this a try, let us know the results. Hopefully we, TBN members, can help you further if needed.

Thanks for the advice, this is what I like about TBN, somebody has had the same problem or knows how to fix it. As soon as I get this thing solved I will posted it, but am still open to suggestions

 

[VictorW]

Dirtcutter, Have you had a chance to check your tractor? Wondered how things are working out. I always liked electrical problems even though they can be frustrating at times. I have the shop manual which has the wiring diagrams if you need anything. The diagrams can be a little hard to figure out at times but do help.

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

Dirtcutter, Have you had a chance to check your tractor? Wondered how things are working out. I always liked electrical problems even though they can be frustrating at times. I have the shop manual which has the wiring diagrams if you need anything. The diagrams can be a little hard to figure out at times but do help.

Still having the same problem. In the mean time I have gone over every wire looking for a short and still nothing. Something is staying on that is draining the battery. I did talk to the dealer he suggested I bring it in, but I have a feeling this is something that is very simple to fix and I can take care of it. Thanks for the concern I welcome the advice.

 

[tractorhill]

We had 1 last week with same problem. We took batt cable loose and unhook
every elec connection, one at a time, touch batt cable back to batt until we found the short. It was one of the relay was the problem. Install new relay and work good.

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

We had 1 last week with same problem. We took batt cable loose and unhook
every elec connection, one at a time, touch batt cable back to batt until we found the short. It was one of the relay was the problem. Install new relay and work good.

Can you give me an idea where that relay was located.

 

[tractorhill]

Can you give me an idea where that relay was located.

This one was under the hood on firewall but you have 5 or 6 on Tractor

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

This one was under the hood on firewall but you have 5 or 6 on Tractor

Thank you , I was looking for a starting point, maybe I will get lucky.

 

[williekioti]

I had a relay go bad and would have been in your situation for sure. The difference for me to make it easier to diagnose was that strange set of headlights in my yard late one night..... hmm. Went out to find it was my own tractor, figured it was calling out to rest of the pack to come out for a midnight run. Then figured I just left the lights on, but switch was off and key out. Disconnected the ground lead, lights go out and I hear a noticeable click. Connect the lead, wait 15 seconds, hear the same click and presto headlights on again. Went through this several times till I isolated the right relay(low beam) right next to the battery under hood(there are three in that location high beam, low beam & ??) Try to listen for the tell tale click of a relay closing circuit when connecting a charged battery. If not go to the tester light or meter method, I'm betting on a bad relay. Good luck.