Electric problem w/ loud tick-tock noise ?? CK25

[getch]

Hi Folks

Have a 2008 Kioti CK25, with a mystery problem.

After about 300 hours use, the tractor started ticking loudly, exactly like an old fashioned clock ( or a cartoon bomb...). Tick-tock Tick-tock. This started while tractor was parked, shut down & cool. Sound comes from under the dash, on left side.

After starting, the ticking stopped, and did not recur immediately after shutdown. Later, after cooling, it was ticking again. Still later, it started ticking immediately on shutdown.

In a few days, running it 6 - 8 hours every day, (still ticking when shut off) it would no longer start. Had to jumpstart it - then ran A-OK. Was in middle of a several day job, but as soon as I finished, it went to the dealer. He replaced a battery cable end which looked bad, and a relay.

Happy happy - no more tick tock. Everything working A-OK. Back to work.
Well...................................
Just developed the tick again. (100 hours later) Does NOT tick when first shut down. Later, when cold - ticking starts. Still will start on its own, but I can guess where it's headed. Ticking stops when key is turned to warm glow plug, before ignition.

Anybody else ever have this happen and find a fix? Thanks!!

 

[ERE]

getch, I have a ck25 with about the same number of hours but haven't heard this. What was the relay that was replaced the first time? It's pretty strange that something is still energized after the key is off. I hope that someone else can answer your question because I'm interested in the cause.

 

[kjung17]

Does the tick have a regular or erratic rhythm? Could it be a wire arcing to ground?

 

[Transit]

Try pulling fuses to isolate the circuit.

 

[kenstrac]

The first notch on the key switch turns the electric circuits on the second notch is for the glow plugs+ electric circuit of the first notch third notch is starter circuit.
The first thing I would look at is a poor battery connection and or ground,then check key switch and connector the key switch disconnected ,should read .03-0 ohms if it's higher than that open the switch and clean w/ Scotch brite and put a light film of moly grease on the copper plate and wipe off.Make sure to also clean the the contacts that contact the copper plate.

 

[getch]

Hi
TickTock is perfectly regular - EXACTLY like an old-fashioned Regulator clock.

I sense it is some sort of make & break connection opening & closing - improperly of course.

It DOESN'T do it right after shut down - - but starts later, after tractor has cooled down, it appears.

 

[bluechip]

We have not seen (heard?) this so if one of the other dealers has, they can over ride my reply, but I suspect the glow plug timer (if that is not the relay that was replaced). quick check would be to put a meter on one of the glow plugs and look for voltage spike while it is ticking. you could also try to determine exactly which, if any relays are clicking and go fom there.

 

[tcartwri]

I vote for the ign switch being fubar. Cleaning the terminals will not do anything in this case unless there is visible corrosion tracking between the connectors. The short will be inside the sealed switch.

The relay is getting energized after it cools because the glow plug circuit has a temperature relay as well as the timer relay.

 

[getch]

THANKS TO ALL for pitching in on this.
APPARENT DIAGNOSIS & SOLUTION:

finally realized that in both episodes of "ticking tractor", the problem had been immediately preceded by tremendous driving rain storms

water in ignition switch
shorting closed circuit to glow plug
slight warmth from current - circuit opens
repeat over & over - tick tock tick tock

short term solution: dried it out thoroughly (hair dryer etc) before battery drained; ticking stopped more thoroughly tarped against weather - all OK since - using tractor frequently

dealer response: concurs with this notion and warned against probable corrosion inside switch assembly, so problem not really fixed as good as new; gave me a complete new switch assembly and harness - an easy plug&play changeout; I will do that as soon as opportunity presents & try to create additional weatherproofing in that area of machine

 

[JoelD]

My ignition had a plastic cover to keep water out when no key. It broke off, I should get another or find something out of silicone that will last much longer.

Joel