My Kubota let me down this morning. (Help needed:

[dangerdoc]

I plugged the block warmer in last night knowing I would need to start it this morning. When I went to start it, the battery was down so I attached the charger.

When I turned it over, it spun a few times then I got a whiff of smoke and then it wouldn't turn over. When I turn to the left to warm the glow plugs or to the right to turn it over, it makes a soft buzz but nothing else. The sounds like it is coming from under the dash, not from the starter.

Any ideas?

 

[lzicc]

Sounds like your battery may be weak. Did you try to jump it?

 

[dangerdoc]

Sounds like your battery may be weak. Did you try to jump it?

The battery is good, just cold. It spun real good after about 30 minutes on the charger then I smelled the smoke.

The sound in the dash is something I've never heard before. I think something burned out in the switch but I was looking for some confirmation before I bought a new one.

I really hate waking up a tractor when it is below zero, nothing good comes from it.

 

[legbuh]

Agreed, that's a lot of stress on everything.. battery, starter, etc.

I have one of those battery backs you can jump stuff with but I never use it in the winter. This morning, -15, and a friend texts me how many amps it was because he just couldn't get his car started with one like it that he just bought.

I told him to invest in a block heater instead... Southern MN we normally don't need a BH, but this winter its been like back up in Northern ND... where they come as standard equipment on every vehicle...

 

[Craig Clayton]

Lets do the classic check list
Clean all the battery connections
check the voltage of the standing battery
the smoke was it real or just a hint it might be a poor battery connection
the buzzing is usually the solenoid trying to pull in
connect if possible a know good battery beside the tractor with booster cables if you know how
the battery should not have really needed 30 minutes on the charger if it was good I would rate it fair
look for the source of the smoke
do the lights turn on then the fuses are intack
did the burning smell stop after you stopped cranking it
did it ever start up
Craig Clayton

 

[dangerdoc]

Lets do the classic check list
Clean all the battery connections
check the voltage of the standing battery
the smoke was it real or just a hint it might be a poor battery connection
the buzzing is usually the solenoid trying to pull in
connect if possible a know good battery beside the tractor with booster cables if you know how
the battery should not have really needed 30 minutes on the charger if it was good I would rate it fair
look for the source of the smoke
do the lights turn on then the fuses are intack
did the burning smell stop after you stopped cranking it
did it ever start up
Craig Clayton

I'm at work, I'll check it all better this weekend when I can look at it with more than a flashlight.

The lights turn on.

The burning smell stopped after I stopped cranking it. The smell was a new one, I've never noticed it using the tractor in the past.

It never started.

If I remember right, when the batter was cold, it only had about 12 volts but after warming it up with the charger, it was about 13 volts.

I know what the solenoid sounds like and this sounds different to me but I will try jumping it and see what happens.

Thanks.

 

[art]

I'd need more info but it sounds like you have a relay out!

 

[RayBo]

If it's cranking as good as you mentioned after the bat was charged and the temps are in the minuses as you say, there very well could be water in the fuel line that froze or if it's diesel from the summer without anti-gelling add-ins it could have gelled as well. Also make sure your fuel shut-off solenoid isn't stuck
in the "off" position. You should notice it energize/de-energize when the key is turned on and off.. just some things to add to your check list.

 

[KubotainNH]

+1 on cleaning the battery terminals. This will make for buzzing and arcing smells. Cleaning them has got to be one of the most neglected maintenance items.

 

[dangerdoc]

I'd need more info but it sounds like you have a relay out!

I went down with another battery. I left a trickle charger going, the battery read 100%, with a second battery jumped directly to the battery connectors, all lights come on and are bright.


When I turn the key to the left or right, it makes the same buzz under the dash and the dash lights dim. The starter does not turn. There is no click coming from the solenoid.

Tell me more about this relay and its location. If I can get to it and it isn't too expensive, I'll just pick one up after work and give it a go.