Deere 2030 Starting Issue. HELP?

Rivendale · Apr 20, 2013

Hi folks, I was hoping someone could help me out. I recently purchased a 2030 and a couple of days ago I bushhogged with it and then parked it in the barn. Today I went out to crank it and nothing. No tick, no click. Nothing. The jewel lights come one. The lights work. The battery is new and strong. ( I used a jumper battery as well to make sure)

I tightened all connections to the battery and starter solenoid. It absolutely will not make a sound when I turn the key. I used a piece of steel to "jump" the connection at the starter and it turned (not the engine) just the starter motor.

Any ideas anyone? The tractor is in 5-Park. The PTO is disengaged. (it is the Hydraulic type PTO in the console)

Tx Jim · Apr 21, 2013

Have you checked battery voltage at top post on starter solenoid? I would recommend moving battery ground cable connection from battery box to starter motor mounting bolt. This will require a longer battery cable but the battery boxes get corroded and loss continuity over time. The only safety switch on a 2030 is the trans neutral start switch which is under the sheet metal cover that gearshift levers protrude through. I wonder if your tractor has the starter relay installed that's in photo. It can aid starting problems or be a starting problem if connection are lost.RE42993 STARTER MOTOR KIT, STARTER CIRCUIT ADD 93.09 USD

Zebrafive · Apr 21, 2013

Years ago I took the solenoid for my 2030's starter apart. I found a stud in the end cap that had a groove burnt into it. I knocked the stud out of the end cap and turned it 1/2 turn and reinstalled it. That moved the burnt part to a different position. If I remember this stud connected the solenoid to the starter motor. But it's been a long time.
I also added a cable from the battery ground cable to the engine block.

Rivendale · Apr 21, 2013

Tx Jim said:
Have you checked battery voltage at top post on starter solenoid? I would recommend moving battery ground cable connection from battery box to starter motor mounting bolt. This will require a longer battery cable but the battery boxes get corroded and loss continuity over time. The only safety switch on a 2030 is the trans neutral start switch which is under the sheet metal cover that gearshift levers protrude through. I wonder if your tractor has the starter relay installed that's in photo. It can aid starting problems or be a starting problem if connection are lost.RE42993 STARTER MOTOR KIT, STARTER CIRCUIT ADD 93.09 USD

It is getting voltage. The battery ground has been grounded to the bettery box and also to a mounting bolt on the fuel filter so the ground is good. I pulled the trans neutral switch and cleaned the terminals just to be 100% it was contacting properly.

Still nothing! I pulled the key switch out and the pulled the black plug cluster and in the process one of the copper posts broke (it had a badly corroded weak spot. Could this possibly be the problem? It was the post with the thicker red wire going to it.) I guess I will have to replace the switch and see if that was the problem.

Any idea how to hotwire it so that I know that is the problem?

jd110 · Apr 21, 2013

The corroded post on the switch could have been the problem. I don't recommend trying to "hotwire" it to test. It is too dangerous to you and to the tractor if the wrong wires are crossed. The switch definitely needs replaced. After it is in, if it still doesn't start, you need to sart checking for voltages. The power travels from the key switch, to the neutral switch and then to the starter(small post). Use a test light or voltmeter and check for voltage to the neutral switch when key is held in start position. If the switch is good, the voltage travels through the switch and then to the start terminal of the starter solenoid. f the voltage is not going through the safety switch, remove the safety switch and remove one of the shims under it. Sometimes the swith gets out of adjustment as it wears.

Rivendale · Apr 21, 2013

jd110 said:
The corroded post on the switch could have been the problem. I don't recommend trying to "hotwire" it to test. It is too dangerous to you and to the tractor if the wrong wires are crossed. The switch definitely needs replaced. After it is in, if it still doesn't start, you need to sart checking for voltages. The power travels from the key switch, to the neutral switch and then to the starter(small post). Use a test light or voltmeter and check for voltage to the neutral switch when key is held in start position. If the switch is good, the voltage travels through the switch and then to the start terminal of the starter solenoid. f the voltage is not going through the safety switch, remove the safety switch and remove one of the shims under it. Sometimes the swith gets out of adjustment as it wears.

Thank you. Good stuff, I will check to see if the dealership has one tommorow and I will do as you suggested.

By neutral switch, you mean the transmission neutral switch correct?

Tx Jim · Apr 22, 2013

jd110 said:
If the switch is good, the voltage travels through the switch and then to the start terminal of the starter solenoid.

This is true if tractor isn't equipped with the extra starter relay. If tractor has extra relay elect travels from ign switch to extra relay then from relay to starter solenoid.

DKCDKC · Apr 22, 2013

My 2030 failed to start once and, after testing the battery and connections, I ran a meter on the switch and found it defective. Got a new one off the Internet, as I recall, and had no further problem. It's a great tractor. I still have a new JD step for the 2030 for sale, tho, that I ordered but then traded the 2030 for a CUT. The step makes it a lot easier to get on. If interested let me know.

Rivendale · Apr 22, 2013

DKCDKC said:
My 2030 failed to start once and, after testing the battery and connections, I ran a meter on the switch and found it defective. Got a new one off the Internet, as I recall, and had no further problem. It's a great tractor. I still have a new JD step for the 2030 for sale, tho, that I ordered but then traded the 2030 for a CUT. The step makes it a lot easier to get on. If interested let me know.

I picked a new switch up at the dealer and it was missing about 4 posts on it so my project is delayed once again. Thank you for your tip. As it turns out, I bought this tractor and thankfully it already had a step on it

Rivendale · Apr 23, 2013

Rivendale said:
I picked a new switch up at the dealer and it was missing about 4 posts on it so my project is delayed once again. Thank you for your tip. As it turns out, I bought this tractor and thankfully it already had a step on it

I put the new switch in. Still nothing. I grabbed a test light and traced it to the neutral switch. I "jumped" the connecter with a piece of electric fence wire and voila! Fired right up. After i used it awhile, i turned it off and cranked it a few more times without a problem. I reckon when I stuck the wire in there to "jump" it it kind of shimmed them out for a better connection.

Thank you to all who responded and helped. :thumbsup: