John Deere 6400 will not start!

   / John Deere 6400 will not start! #1  

mastercraftka

Silver Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Messages
123
Location
Hondo Texas
Tractor
1993 JD 6400 4wd
Ok had some issues starting and we thought it was battery cables so we took them off cleaned posts and it worked for awhile then had issues again and would wiggle the four small gauge ground wires and it would start. When we had issues it would click click and then try to turn over but was weak. If you keep working the key it would finally just out of no where just fire off. Battery is good even jumped it and didn't make a difference. We followed wires back all the way to the starter and alternator and they are all i place. To the point now even trying multiple times wiggling wires or working the key off and on it won't go.
I am starting to think it might be the starter or solenoid? Do I have to remove the starter to know if the solenoid/starter is still good? Can it be tested on the tractor? TIA
 

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   / John Deere 6400 will not start! #2  
I’d start out by load testing the battery. I know jumping it makes you think it’s not the battery and it probably not but everyone should have a load tester. JD’s are known for having batteries that act like you describe or just suddenly die. Depending on what’s wrong with the battery jumping it won’t always work.

There is also a chance something is wrong with all the safety switches plus a starter or a relay.
 
   / John Deere 6400 will not start! #5  
The way to test the starter in the tractor would be to go straight to the starter with a hot jumper wire to the battery. Don’t ask me how to do this in a safe manner though.
 
   / John Deere 6400 will not start! #6  
Get yourself a “remote starter switch”..
It’s just 2 alligator clips with a push button between..
They can be had at any auto parts store..& the instructions r in the box..
 
   / John Deere 6400 will not start!
  • Thread Starter
#7  
ok got it figured out found the solenoid and did the old screw driver trick started right up. Need a new solenoid.
 
   / John Deere 6400 will not start! #8  
ok got it figured out found the solenoid and did the old screw driver trick started right up. Need a new solenoid.
When you state shorted across with a screwdriver which solenoid relay did you short across? Item # 1 or part in shaded outline on starter?
 

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   / John Deere 6400 will not start!
  • Thread Starter
#9  
two big studs/wires
When you state shorted across with a screwdriver which solenoid relay did you short across? Item # 1 or part in shaded outline on starter?
 

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   / John Deere 6400 will not start! #10  
Ok had some issues starting and we thought it was battery cables so we took them off cleaned posts and it worked for awhile then had issues again and would wiggle the four small gauge ground wires and it would start. When we had issues it would click click and then try to turn over but was weak. If you keep working the key it would finally just out of no where just fire off. Battery is good even jumped it and didn't make a difference. We followed wires back all the way to the starter and alternator and they are all i place. To the point now even trying multiple times wiggling wires or working the key off and on it won't go.
I am starting to think it might be the starter or solenoid? Do I have to remove the starter to know if the solenoid/starter is still good? Can it be tested on the tractor? TIA
Hi master raft. If you can get to the starter and such you can. Heck it right where it is. You may need a piece of heavy wire to bypass the solenoid switch with. Keep on and you will finally fix it. I don’t understand why the starter turned slowly
 

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