John Deere 318 voltage regulator

[Hjfowler]

Hello,

Yesterday my 318 wouldn't do anything when I turned the key. No dash light, no nothing. I went and bought a new ignition switch and it fixed the problem. Or so I thought. It will run, but then it will cut out and then flare back up right before it completely stalls as if the key was being turned off. Then if it doesn't flare back up and stalls completely, I have to turn the key to off, then on and it will start.

I got it back home and I noticed as I was pulling into the garage, the battery was bubbling slightly. Very little fluid was coming out, but obviously not normal. Could this be a bad voltage regulator causing these things?

 

[texasranger556]

Easy enough to check, should be close to 14 volts at high idle. Clean battery terminals while you're at it.

 

[Hjfowler]

How do I check that? With a multimeter? I know nothing about electronics.

 

[texasranger556]

Yep. Select DC mode and measure between the battery posts wile it's running. Red goes to +/positive.

 

[Hjfowler]

Ok. Could a bad regulator be causing all of these issues?

 

[texasranger556]

Based on your previous issues with the lights I'd say you might have a couple things going on. Cleaning connections and checking charge voltage would be a good start.

 

[Hjfowler]

lol yea. I don't think I reported back about the lights. The oil light and PTO light were switched. All is well. There really wasn't an issue

 

[Coyote machine]

Your battery should NOT bubble. Wear safety glasses when working around the battery, especially now. If the battery is being overcharged by a bad voltage regulator it could explode in your face.
Check voltage before starting the engine and then as it is running. Anything over 14.25-14.50 Volts is too high.
Do not smoke or have any source of ignition near a questionable battery.
Report back results, and be careful.

 

[Hjfowler]

My wires at the ignition switch are frayed. Could that causing the cutting out? I took a picture, but I'm not sure how to add it. And how do I remove the metal plug that's inside of the plastic plug to make a repair. Does that make sense? I don't know how else to describe it. There are two wires that go to a metal looking "spoon" that's inside of the plastic plug. The metal "spoon" is plugged onto the ignition switch.

 

[texasranger556]

The fact that you changed the ignition switch and it changed the behavior suggests you could have a loose connection in that area. If it's a standard 5 prong plug then you can replace it with something like this.

Amazon.com : Stens 43-223 Wiring Harness : Lawn Mower Deck Parts : Patio, Lawn & Garden

You'll need a crimper/stripper tool and butt terminals to install it. Disconnect the battery before you start and write down where each wire goes before cutting the old plug off.

This plug doesn't explain the bubbling battery, so like I said you may have a couple things wrong. Listen to Coyote's warning about battery acid vapor.