Oil & Fuel L3400 4w HST Won't start

tab1234 · May 27, 2015

1st time poster.

Tractor sat all winter (3+ months). Started right up and drove it around for 15 minutes. Would not start a week later. Would turn over but no smoke.

Had battery tested and charged. Took off fuel solenoid and it started right up. Did some electrical testing, 12.75v at battery, 12.5v at ignition switch (one contact was rusty and I cleaned it), 10.45v at fuel solenoid.

Bought a Chinese after market solenoid and installed it.

Still does not start. Does anyone have any ideas? Really need the help.
Thanks
Pete

Weaselfoot · May 27, 2015

My guess is the voltage drop across the ignition switch is caused by corrosion inside the switch. Try WD40 and wiggle the switch to get 12.5 v coming out. Might need a new switch?

tab1234 · Jun 8, 2015

Tried to clean the ignition switch, did not help. Bought a new ignition switch and in stalled it. Tractor still won't start. Voltage at fuel solenoid did increase from 10.45 to 11.65v. Any other ideas?

Thomas · Jun 8, 2015

Does the glow plug indicator light up ..clutch pedal push all the way down..can you hear click sound when turning key.

tab1234 · Jun 9, 2015

Thomas said:
Does the glow plug indicator light up ..clutch pedal push all the way down..can you hear click sound when turning key.

Yes, the glow plug light comes on, clutch pedal goes all the way down. Don't notice a clicking noise over the noise of the engine turning over.

Thomas · Jun 9, 2015

From a past post............
"The tractor failed to start on Monday afternoon. As far as I knew at the time there were three interlocks that I had to be concerned with - clutch, PTO, and seat. I probed the clutch and seat switches and they seemed ok. Late in the afternoon a local mechanic stopped by to help. 45 minutes (and $45) later we didn't know much more. The starter worked fine if you directly applied 12v to it. The interlock switches we tested seemed ok, but without a wiring diagram you can only do so much.

Tuesday, because I still suspected it was faulty, I took the seat switch with me to the tractor dealer on the mainland (a 45 minute ferry ride away). They tested the seat switch and confirmed that it was working correctly. In any case, they also told me, the seat switch controlled the fuel flow, not the starter relay, so it could not have been the problem. They also told me the same thing that RockyRidge and others mentioned - the interlock on the HST. While I was there I ordered a service manual - at $85 it is far cheaper than the minimum charge for the dealer to come out and see me.

I got back late on Tuesday, reinstalled the seat switch and tried to start it - no start. Then I followed the advice posted here and slowly rocked the HST pedal back and forward while trying to start. SUCCESS! It started right up.

So thank you all for your help. It is nice to know that I have such a valuable resource as close as my computer"