ritcheyvs
Veteran Member
With the cold weather I notice a rash of cold-start problems on this site, many of which turn out to be the ignition switch. I had this problem and it was caused was dirty contacts inside the ignition switch:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/225268-dk45s-hard-start-fixed.html
If this happens to you I'd recommend you first test the glow circuit by connecting a volt meter or 12v test light between chassis ground (or battery negative) and the common rail that connects the glow plugs. Then verify that you have voltage when you first turn the switch to glow AND also while you crank the engine with the starter. If the voltage goes to zero when you crank, you have a bad switch.
Replacing the switch is an easy, do-it-yourself job, maybe 10-60 minutes depending on your experience level and how far you have to walk to get your tools. As others (and I) have said, you can rebuild (disassemble, clean, lube, reassemble) the switch. But the switch contains springs and small parts so there is a real chance you will lose or break a critical part. I think new switches are about $50 and they may be a newer (improved?) design. If I were to do this again, I'd have a known good spare switch on hand before starting the job, just in case.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/225268-dk45s-hard-start-fixed.html
If this happens to you I'd recommend you first test the glow circuit by connecting a volt meter or 12v test light between chassis ground (or battery negative) and the common rail that connects the glow plugs. Then verify that you have voltage when you first turn the switch to glow AND also while you crank the engine with the starter. If the voltage goes to zero when you crank, you have a bad switch.
Replacing the switch is an easy, do-it-yourself job, maybe 10-60 minutes depending on your experience level and how far you have to walk to get your tools. As others (and I) have said, you can rebuild (disassemble, clean, lube, reassemble) the switch. But the switch contains springs and small parts so there is a real chance you will lose or break a critical part. I think new switches are about $50 and they may be a newer (improved?) design. If I were to do this again, I'd have a known good spare switch on hand before starting the job, just in case.
