John Deere won’t start

[lp51]

I have a JD 5205 that won’t turn over. Turned key on and jumped across solenoid and it turned over but didn’t start. Any suggestions.

 

[beenthere]

Battery? Battery cable connections?

 

[Harry in Ky]

More details would help get you more accurate replies. Side note. You can't start that tractor by merely turning the key on and "jumping" the starter. It has a bypass relay that prevents ignition circuit voltage voltage from reaching the injection pump. (maybe you didn't know that)

 

[workinonit]

Yep and that circuit has some known issues with a cold start thermistor that shorts, blows the fuse and won't start. Check all of your fuses.

 

[lp51]

Went out this morning to try it and I had left the switch on all night. Charged battery a while tried it and fired right up. Have started three times since and everything works fine. I’m sure the problem will show up again.

 

[Jrasband]

Went out this morning to try it and I had left the switch on all night. Charged battery a while tried it and fired right up. Have started three times since and everything works fine. I’m sure the problem will show up again.

Or it hopefully won't

 

[deere5105]

Went out this morning to try it and I had left the switch on all night. Charged battery a while tried it and fired right up. Have started three times since and everything works fine. I’m sure the problem will show up again.

Dealing with same thing right now on 2004 5205. Today the normal beeping when turning the key on that has been intermittent would not make a sound but if I pushed on the hood/dash it would start beeping and the gauges would cycle. When key fully turned to crank just a click. Used it and cranked several times earlier this morning. Went back mid-morning and just the click. Battery good. Not the cold start issue with blown fuse. Wondering if is a short. Tried looking at wiring. No obvious issues found.

 

[beenthere]

"Battery good" ?? How did you check that it was good ??

 

[deere5105]

Last time it did this resting voltage around 12.5 volts. Have had no issues slow cranking when this issue not present. When could get it to go through the beeping series the blinkers, flashers and headlights all work and headlights are bright even without tractor running.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Last time it did this resting voltage around 12.5 volts. Have had no issues slow cranking when this issue not present. When could get it to go through the beeping series the blinkers, flashers and headlights all work and headlights are bright even without tractor running.

This is testing voltage where? At the battery? at the starter? at the key switch? What counts is the voltage at the start signal wire on the starter solenoid. Have you checked it there?

First thing I would do (if you haven't already) is get rid of the plastic cover over the starter. Locate the start signal wire stud on the solenoid. Tractor in park, take a small jumper wire and jump that stud to battery positive cable stud just above it. Does the starter engage every time? If so, the battery, main cables, and starter condition should be good to go. Now check the voltage at that terminal when attempting to start with the key. Do this when the starter works, and again when it doesn't. Compare the voltage readings at that point and you might have some information to work with.

 

[deere5105]

Checked at battery only. When working cranks without hesitation. Seems like something is breaking connection at some point.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Typical "chain of command" on those tractors is the start signal begins with key switch. One tiny wire from there leads to the PTO switch. From there another tiny wire to the neutral switch. Then it goes back up to the actual start relay which is under the cluster in the steering column area.

You might look at the fuse link. That's on the right side of the motor near the intake manifold and grid heater (if you have one) I've seen a few failures there where the fuse wire isn't quite up to task and will actually melt the insulation and the wire yet still perform but only partially carry the load.

 

[beenthere]

Suggest testing the battery (or have it tested) under load.
I'm thinking a new battery is due or past due. But also remove and clean all battery cable connections. Easy to do these two things.

 

[lp51]

Through trial and error I found it to be (I think) the neutral switch. After using I tilt the bucket a little and lower to prevent any chance of rolling and leave it in neutral. Cranks every time. I did forget once and left it in gear and wouldn’t start. Put in neutral and it would start a few hours later.

 

[deere5105]

All good info and suggestions. Will dig into more.

 

[deere5105]

Conclusion in no start issue discovered late last night. Turned out to be a loose positive battery terminal connection. Good voltage at key switch until attempting to crank. Good voltage on battery. Certain I checked ground side but apparently never checked positive side connection. Glad it was something simple but can be frustrating when realize is something you know to check early on but don’t.

 

[lp51]

Glad you found it. A cheap easy fix