No Start Mystery

[shane]

I had some time this afternoon so I decided to change the oil in my wife's car. I needed to move my JD3120 out of the shop so I could pull the car in. The tractor fired up instantly.
I went about my business changing the oil in the car. Later, I went to move the tractor back into the shop. When I turned the key it barely turned over and then nothing. I waited a minute and tried again. Still nothing. I went and got my truck to try and boost it off. Each time I turned the key it would barely turn over and then nothing. The tractor is just over 2yrs old with 120 hours. It is always kept in the shop. The battery conections look brand new, no corrosion. Everything seems tight. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It is outside warranty by two months. I'm no mechanic by a long shot but I can usually handle simple task.

 

[beersngars]

Did it start once you jumped it?

 

[tallyho8]

Do the headlights work on the tractor and then dim when you hit the starter?
If so, then one of your battery cables is probably dirty on either end. Be sure to clean both ends.

 

[shane]

Did it start once you jumped it?

No, it would no start even when boosted. I am now back home for the evening. As soon as I finish filling my belly I plan to go out and start removing cables. They sure look good and clean on the outside, but ya never know.

 

[Willl]

battery conections look brand new

Regardless of how they look, remove, scrape clean, inspect and reinstall.

Do both battery connections and the ground connection at the frame.

Finally, finish off by treating all of your new connections with anti battery corrosion stuff.

While your in there, check to see if that battery is leaking nasty acids.

 

[daveinmo]

Shane, I recently had a somewhat similar problem with my 3720 with a few months to go on the warranty. I had it down in the woods where my son-in-law was clearing brush. Went to move it and there was just a click and dash lights would flicker. Tried to jump it and it would turn over a little and then the dash lights would start to flash again. Battery was clean and connections looked good. Removed battery connections and scraped them and retightened them. Still wouldn't start. Hauled it to dealer and he replaced batter and it fixed the problem.

Only thing I can think would cause it to behave like this is a shorted cell. Still somewhat of a mystery. One other thing to check is position of transmission range selector. I occasionally knock mine out of position when hooking up safety belt. If even slightly out of position engine won't start. Good luck.

Dave

 

[J_J]

I think that I would put a volt meter on the battery and check the static voltage, and then check it when you try and start. The voltage or no voltage should tell you what is going on. Can you touch the starter terminal with some jumper cables. If the starter is good and the battery is good, it should try and start with the jumper cable.

 

[Soundguy]

Great advice by all.. and especially JJ.. if the bat is real dead.. jumping it may not help as the dead battery sucks up all the jumper-juice.

If it ain't the battery.. I'd look at the start circuit that powers the solenoid, and the solenoid itself / conenctions to the starter.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Egon]

Just start looking at all the electrical connections.

With a previous good start and no reaction from a boost the chances are it is not the battery.

 

[shane]

Thanks for the help guys. So far I have pull the battery cables at both end and cleaned even though they looked brand new and cleaned the post as well. I have also checked every wire connection I could find. I will try the bypass to the starter. I've ran out of time to do anything else for the next day or so. If the bypass does not get it I will haul it to the dealer.
A little sticker shock. Both dealers local to me want $150 for pick up and delivery. Each is about 20 miles from my home. One offered to send a mechanic out for $80 an hour from the time he leaves the shop until he returns and still might have to haul it in anyway. And, the really stinky part is I'm only two months outside of warranty.