John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!!

   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #1  

fordsmoke

New member
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
8
Location
New London, Iowa
Tractor
John Deere 4720
Im across a creek and no way to tow home so I need to fix where its at. When I engage starter it just clicks or turns the engine just slightly. Had both new starter and battery checked and there good. Cable from battery to solenoid is good. I switched relays and yes PTO is off. Please give me some ideas I need help. The seat safety switch does not effect starting. There is a code 008 but not sure it has anything to do with starter not spinning over the engine. This all begin after I ran the tractor out of fuel. I have no manual or schematic. Thank you, John
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #2  
Have you checked/cleaned,tightened ALL FOUR battery cable connections?
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #3  
If the engine turns over "just slightly", that rules out all of the safety interlocks. Jim is right of course, clean and check all four points of connection.
Can you try to jump start it to get it home?
Are you sure the battery isn't just dead from cranking it after running out of fuel?
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #4  
Sounds like a bad ground or corrosion in the terminals
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!!
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Yes, Thats one of the first things I did
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!!
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I even tried a new battery and run a jumper directly to the solenoid. Is it possible that the ignition could be bad? When I turn the ignition switch I can hear the solenoid ingage. When I turn switch more to engage starter it just clicks or barely turns flywheel like maybe a few teeth. Is it possible the solenoid is kicking in and out because of switch? Im screatching my head on this one.
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!!
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Again all connections and cables are good, clean and fastened tight and properly. Battery is good, starter is brand new. I even had new starter checked at auto zone. So am I missing something? Starter solenoid engages with switch but just clicks when you engage starter. All I can think is maybe bad switch? Is that possible or is there something Im missing?? Any advice appreciated. Thank you!!!
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #8  
I even tried a new battery and run a jumper directly to the solenoid

Meaning you put a new battery in the tractor?
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #9  
I'm going to make a couple of assumptions here: you or someone replaced the original starter hoping to solve a problem starting, but it has not. Neither has installing a new battery. What hours on machine and how old is it?
Here's what I suggest in the mean time. I'm suspecting a bad cable, regardless of how clean the ends may be at all four contact points of both ground and positive cable. But first:check your fusebox for any burnt or corroded fuses, to rule them out. Inspect each one carefully. Make sure there is NO corrosion at any fuse connectors.
So, do this: Make sure tractor is in neutral, brake on, etc. Take your jumper cables and attach the ground cable ONLY from it to the negative battery post clamp, and to a known to be good chassis ground. Try starting. If the engine cranks faster or starts, your battery ground cable is toast.

If that doesn't change anything, try the positive jumper cable from the positive battery post,and have someone turn the key to ON, (not crank position), while you touch the other end of the cable to the starter solenoid small terminal, where it is fed by the ignition switch, just long enough to see if the starter spins the engine fast. If you get a fast turn over on the engine you may have a bad positive cable from starter to battery plus post.
Be careful- take someone with you to be on site just to help, and for safety.
Be extra careful when using the positive cable to activate the starter, do NOT let it ground out on the starter or any other metal. Wear glasses and gloves to cover all the bases.

Curious why you say the seat switch does not affect the starting sequence?
Post back results. One step at a time to figure this out.
 
   / John Deere 4720 starter problem???? Please help!!! #10  
You might consider asking that someone post or PM you requesting your e-mail address to send you a wiring diagram or a diagram showing the starting system for your tractor. I think with the diagram and a volt meter you will determine were the problem is.

I would also ask for assistance on the error code. The following manual shows a Err 08. I did not see a 008,

OMLVU19619_E9
 

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