Kubota G1700 Diesel - Cold Weather Starting

[grandpa468]

I have a Kubota G1700 Diesel that is hard to start when the weather gets cold. The problem being that the glow plug system does not work or works sporadically. When I turn the key to the glow plug heater position there seems to be no activity as the dash light does not come on indicating the glow plugs are working. Another time it will work as it should - light on , fuel heats and away we go. I have traced the wires looking for broken or bad connections but come up empty. The ignition switch seems to check out when I do a resistance across the red and black/red when the key is in the heat position. There is a sealed combination box that the wires go through, so the problem may be in the box. Does anyone have any ideas.

 

[Baby Grand]

I have a G5200 that was acting in a similar way - sometimes the key would cause the glow plugs & other lights to come on; sometimes not. I diddled with different things over the Summer, none of which seemed to fix it. Then I took the (new) battery out, cleaned up the pan it sits on and painted the pan with phosphatizing paint. Cleaned the battery terminals and cable clamps thoroughly with a battery wire brush and fabricated a replacement battery clamp for the one that was missing when I bought the tractor used. Haven't had the problem since. I'm suspicious that the battery not being secured, but able to bounce around, had something to do with it. I have to say that I was starting to turn my attention to that combination box, too. If the problem comes back, then that will be my next target.

Oh, by the way, welcome aboard!
Great first post!
We'll help you get to the root of that problem, yet.

-Jim

 

[grandpa468]

Jim. I appreciate your input. I have already cleaned the battery posts and the battery was secured. I have talked to my brother and he suggested doing a voltage check on the switch as the contacts may be burnt just enough to still get a no resistance but too much to transmit the full 12 volts.
Thanks again
David

 

[Baby Grand]

Ah ... the ignition switch! (sound of hand slapping forehead) That's my new prime suspect.

 

[grandpa468]

That had been my first thought but when I had a good resistance reading Iwas going to discount but will revisit checking for a voltage drop.