MX5100 won't Start

[crystallake]

Re: MX5100 won't Start Problem solved

Going to revise this post. Now I am having this problem----The switch itself when activated by the plunger seperates, the black plastic part where electrical wires attach pops out of the metal holder. I put some silicone on it today and hope this fixed it. Anyone had this problem and if so what did you do to make the switch stay in?

 

[Code54]

I had a similar issue after about 2 years (only problem ever on my 5100) - ended up getting a new switch (took it off and dealer swapped it out with a new one under warranty). Put it on and never had another problem in the last 4 years. I would just replace it and be done with it.

 

[crystallake]

Thank you. Does the switch unplug from the wiring harness, do you remember? Im not at the tractor to look.

 

[Code54]

Yes - If I recall it took me about 10 minutes to switch it out from start to finish (as in getting the tools included).
Was quick and easy and still working perfect to this day. Good luck

 

[crystallake]

Got new switch, ten min deal. Thanks for the good advice.

 

[LD1]

Havent had a switch problem with mine, but I got intimately familiar with that setup about 6 months ago when it stranded me in the woods.

There is a hole in a bracket that the plunger goes in that actuates the switch.

A stick got jammed in there and over-extended the plunger and it was no longer in the bracket.

In the woods, getting dark, and no time to fool with it, but knew I had an issue with a safety somewhere, as I had been running the tractor all day, off and on, and knew it wasnt a battery. Either a darn safety or something in the switch.

I just keyed on, made sure everything was neutral, and used my multi-tool pliers to jumper the solenoid of the starter to the hot post on the starter. Dealt with the issue the next day.

Not advising anyone to jumper a starter.....but understanding how these machines operate can save a long walk home sometimes.

 

[Bill William]

Im having a similar problem with my MX 5100. Got on it tonight turned the key And NOTHING. Mine is a 2013 but only has like 600 hours on it and has been kept covered. How do I get to this switch yall are talking about? I also wondered if it could be my battery. But the lights work, and its not even trying to start. I did a load test and it does show to be weak. Its registering around 11 to 12 volts under load tester. And I do see a slight bulge on the right side.

 

[Fallon]

Im having a similar problem with my MX 5100. Got on it tonight turned the key And NOTHING. Mine is a 2013 but only has like 600 hours on it and has been kept covered. How do I get to this switch yall are talking about? I also wondered if it could be my battery. But the lights work, and its not even trying to start. I did a load test and it does show to be weak. Its registering around 11 to 12 volts under load tester. And I do see a slight bulge on the right side.

No click means the starter relay isnt engaging. Bad battery or loose/corroded ground is a possibility even with the lights working. But lights working & the relay not even clicking makes that a little less likely. A bad or out of adjustment safety switch is a bit more likely. There are safety switches under the seat, on the PTO switch (or lever), on the go pedal (HST only) & on the clutch. You'll need to follow the wires & look in the appropriate places to find them. Check with a multimeter. Probably easiest to check both ends of the battery cable (loosen, clean, tighten) before getting a multimeter & checking the safety switches. A workshop manual will have a wiring diagram & diagnostic test procedures to narrow down a test process. Makes things so much easier.

 

[rbtjr]

Great thread. For a few weeks our MX5800 has been intermittently hard to start. This has been happening only after it has been running for a while and has been shut down. I figured it was related to an electrical interlink. However, I discovered that sometimes removing the hydraulic pressure by lowering the FEL and the 3PH all the way down allowed the tractor to start. I figured that the hydraulic pressure must be playing a role in the problem. Then I saw this thread. Today the tractor wouldn't start after it had been running for a while and was shut down. I turned the ignition key all the way to "start" and then gently rocked the HST pedal back and forth one time and the tractor started. That seems to indicate that our MX has the same issue as described above with the interlink activated by the HST being in neutral. I'll look at the switch and the linkage. Thanks for the info in this thread.

 

[leveled]

I have had the same problem and the fix is simple but hard to explain. The HST linkage under the pedal actually moves several connections under the floorboard. Look on the left side, opposite the pedal for a switch that the linkage moves, adjust so switch is engaged while pedal is in neutral position. Has two nuts, one a lock nut. Wish I could show you, 5 min job.

Great advise this fixed my problem. Thank you.