John Deere 3120 Wont Start- Help!

[GBPD74]

I inherited a 2006 John Deere 3120 eHydro tractor about two years ago, and mostly only use it for plowing in the winter, so it didn't get much use this year. I started having issues getting it to turn over and would have to jump it with my vehicle. I purchased a new battery from my JD dealer this weekend, hooked it up and the tractor fired right up. I shut it down to button everything up and then when I went to restart it, nothing. I get electrical power on the first click of the key, all the gauges light up, etc. However, when I go to actually start it, silence. My dealer suggested hooking jumper cables from my vehicle directly to the starter to rule out an issue with the wiring from the battery. When I did this, I got 2 clicks from the starter the first time I tried to start it, and nothing after that. I really don't want to pay $300 for someone from the dealer to come out to my house just to look at it if I don't have to. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas as to what could be wrong? Thanks in advance!

 

[beenthere]

Remove and clean the two battery cables, at both ends, to see if by chance there is some corrosion that is causing the problem.

:welcome: to TBN

 

[GBPD74]

Remove and clean the two battery cables, at both ends, to see if by chance there is some corrosion that is causing the problem.

:welcome: to TBN

Thanks. I did clean the cables at the battery end. However, wouldn't bypassing the battery by jumping directly to the starter rule that out as an issue?

 

[coralhead]

The starter may be dragging. Check out that the brushes are ok.

 

[GBPD74]

The starter may be dragging. Check out that the brushes are ok.

I'm not mechanically inclined... How do you do that?

 

[beenthere]

I'm not mechanically inclined... How do you do that?

Might be the best for you to get the Deere mechanic to visit.. or a neighbor who can help you with the "mechanically inclined" part. More peace of mind..

 

[GBPD74]

The goal is to save $$$. I suppose there is a difference between not being mechanically inclined, and just not knowing my way around a tractor engine compartment. I'm not a complete idiot, with a little guidance I can usually figure things out... :cop::thumbsup:

 

[Tx Jim]

Did you clean & tighten where neg bat cable attaches to tractor? Will head lights stay lit while attempting to start engine?? Unless you have very heavy duty jumper cables it can be difficult to get enough amps to start engine by jumping directly from a vehicle to starter solenoid.

 

[brown40]

I had an ignition switch problem on a 2006 3320 that sounds similar. If all your connections and fuses are good that could be it. It was a simple replacement, but under warranty back then, so they sent it down for me.

 

[buickanddeere]

Too often the cheapest repairs do not cost the least. Guessing and randomly throwing parts at a machine wastes $$$. What if the old battery was fine and the problem was a high resistance connection that a high priced pro could find and repair in minutes ?
Do you hire a pro for cardiac care or dental work? Or is do it yourself with a google search sufficient?