Kubota B2100 HST starting problems

   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #1  

tigersbait

New member
Joined
Jul 5, 2014
Messages
5
Location
Bush, La
Tractor
Kubota B2100 HST
Hello to all, my name is Chris and I have a B2100 HST Kubota that I am having a few troubles with and could use some assistance. Last year I had replaced the starter on it and shortly afterward it began giving me troubles. First when I turn the key to start the solenoid just clicks. I bump the key and it will eventually kick hard enough to crank. Recently I experience it not wanting to even click. I checked the battery voltage and it reads 12.6V. Not sure what it should read but I am not even getting the glow plug light to come on. I tried to jump it from the battery but still nothing. Connected the cables to the starter and frame ground and it kicked right over. Ran it all day and once I shut it down it was dead again. Tried to jump it today in the same manner and it cranked right up except when I removed the cables it died right away. Any suggestions on what the problem may be?
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #2  
I assume you have cleaned battery terminals, And both ends of the wire attachments...at ground and starter. Fully charged battery should maintain 12+ volts when you try to crank it. If voltage drops dramatically when you try to crank, the battery is bad. Last idea...could the key switch be bad?
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #3  
You didn't mention how old the battery is. As lead acids age, or are stored discharged, the plates sulphate and the battery will have less capacity - - sometimes a lot less.

No clicking means either a flat battery (but you have 12.6 volts) or a bad solenoid, or a bad switch or wiring

To test for this, connect a voltmeter to the battery and monitor voltage while you are attempting to start the engine. If voltage stays the same when you attempt to start, and no clicking, then there is a problem with switch, wiring, or starter solenoid. When cranking,11 volts is okay, 10.5 is getting low but should still work. If the starter solenoid is just clicked, the voltage my be really low as soon as you put a load on the battery, battery is "surface charged" - probably best to replace battery. If battery voltage is okay, say 12 volts or better but still no cranking, then use a heavy wire to jumper across the large terminals of the starter solenoid - if the engine cranks when the starter solenoid is thus bypassed, then the problem is the starter solenoid. If it doesn't crank, then the problem is most likely the starter motor.

bumper
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #4  
I had a B2100 several years ago with the same symptoms. Finally found the positive battery cable had corroded enough around the post connector that it would carry the 12 volts using a voltmeter, but there wasn't enough wire left to carry the amps needed to start the engine. I replaced both positive and negative battery cables and it worked fine after that, but i would not discount the other posts on checking the battery condition either. Sometimes I regret letting that little workhorse go--great machine.
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #5  
welcome chris ti tbn you kubota shows to 1995 to 1998 if so and starter has noot been rebuilt or replaced probably need one or the other your o/e starter would have been built by mitsubishi very small direct drive unit you are close to hammond i see in hammond a rebuild shop named daniels starter and alternator phone number is 985-543-0016 the owner is daniel he can test and repair your starter in another way of looking at this your starter brushes are probably worn out which will also show the same condition you are describing here good luck
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thank all of you for your responses. I visually inspected to terminals but could not see any corrosion on them. I will remove and clean each today. I did perform a load test on the battery a few weeks back and it showed to be good unless the load tester I used was bad. Haven't tried using a volt meter to read voltage drop but will see what it reads today. Will get back with results. Thanks again.
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Ok, I took all the power cables completely off and cleaned thoroughly. They were more corroded than they looked once removed. Replaced the positive end to the battery and placed the charger on the battery. Battery voltage prior to charging was around 11.6, now it is 12.9. Voltage at starter is 12.9 and the voltage drops to 11.9 when trying to start. The solenoid still clicks and will start after bumping it several times. It did start under its own power.
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #8  
Sounds like the starter solenoid is headed south and needs replacing, contacts not doing what they should - reliably. You could continue to use it, maybe take a click or several to get going, but I'd be buying a spare at the least.

bumper
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems #9  
I tend to agree...perhaps if you can get to the starter solenoid contacts you can lightly use sand paper or emery cloth to smooth the contacts...sometimes this extends the life of well worn contacts...don't know if you can disassemble to reach them.

Sounds like the starter solenoid is headed south and needs replacing, contacts not doing what they should - reliably. You could continue to use it, maybe take a click or several to get going, but I'd be buying a spare at the least.

bumper
 
   / Kubota B2100 HST starting problems
  • Thread Starter
#10  
I plan on getting a new on or having this one rebuilt. Thanks y'all for all the help.
 

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