John Deere 4400 will not turn over.

[buzlloyd]

My usually trusty JD 4400 will not start. Before this problem, the tractor was running well with no apparent issues. Turning the key sometimes produces a loud click but more frequently does nothing. I have replaced the battery although with an Autocraft battery which has a 450CCA rating rather than 500CCA which is the JD spec. (an asst. mgr. at Carquest stated that this battery would be adequate although its life might be not as long as for a battery with the 500CCA spec.) No change. With the key removed, my meter reads 12V at the positive starter terminal which is not what I expected. My operator's manual does not seem to have an electrical schematic diagram. I would appreciate any and all insight that will help me get her running again.

 

[aczlan]

What you would want to check is voltage when you turn the key over to start it.
The problem is probably one of your cables that needs to be tightened.
Check both ends of the positive and negative cables to make sure they are tight and that there isn't any corrosion or rust under them.

Aaron Z

 

[buzlloyd]

I started out to test the voltage at the starter motor with the key turned to start. Prior to getting to that point, I realized that I either did not know what I am doing and/or have some sort of unexpected situation when I got a 12 volt reading at the positive terminal of the starter motor with the key not even in the ignition. Does the ignition key complete the ground circuit? However it is supposed to work, it appears to me that the battery is getting plenty of juice to the starter positive terminal before I even put the key in the ignition. I have, of course, cleaned and tightened the battery terminals.

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN................

What Aaron is saying is not only check the battery cables but also check the other end of each cable. Check the ground cable where it connects to the frame and yes, the hot wire cable from the battery goes to the starter and would have a reading. The ignition key energizes the smaller starter wire to engage the starter solenoid to crank it over. If those connections are good and clean then move to the fuses and check them.
Depending on age the battery cables may also have corrosion inside, or under the protective outer insulation jacket. They would probably read full battery voltage with no load.

 

[jimmysisson]

Your pos cable goes from the battery to the starter. Is that where you tested the 12v? The small terminal on the starter carries current from the key switch in the start position only. When it does it energizes the solenoid (a big relay, really) to connect the cable terminal with the starter motor windings inside the starter housing.
So, key off, you should see 12+v at the cable connection. In Start position you should see 12v at the small solenoid terminal AND the lug that carries power down into the starter motor.
Make sure you're in neutral first. Report back. I'm not saying you don't know what you're doing but am not sure what you tested from how you described it.
Jim

 

[patchnball]

make sure PTO is not engaged. If hydro ..... push the forward and reverse pedals several times to make sure they aren't locked. Mine does this occasionally...I probably need to replace the safety switch.

 

[aczlan]

make sure PTO is not engaged. If hydro ..... push the forward and reverse pedals several times to make sure they aren't locked. Mine does this occasionally...I probably need to replace the safety switch.

It wont click in that case though. It just wont crank.

Aaron Z

 

[buzlloyd]

It wont click in that case though. It just wont crank.

Aaron Z

I was prepared for a major learning experience especially given that this was my first foray under the side panels of this machine and it did not appear that anything is easily removed. I looked at a previous string which had great suggestions, images from the tech manual, procedures for testing various parts and excerpts from the electrical schematic. That one ended up being a bad kill sensor having to do with the PTO that required a trip to the shop for the ultimate diagnosis and repair. I was ready for the worst! Just for the heck of it, I followed the advice to reclean and tighten the battery terminals which I had previously cleaned but not fully tightened. I was thrilled to hear her start right up so it appears that the new battery, properly installed, has done the trick. Thank you, gentlemen, for your assistance!