Small electrical problem

[bbse]

I just thought of something else I meant to ask. As I have stated on this board before, I am an electrically challenged American. I have a 95 model 3054, new battery, starts good. However, sometimes, after I have ran it a cople of hours and turn it off, when I go back to start it it acts like the battery is almost dead. It will start, but it turns over slowly and you can hear the starter solenoid clicking. Mow a while longer, shut down, restarts normal. Ocassionally while running, especially at lower rpm, the electrical light on the dash will blink on momentarily. It never stays on. Not sure where to start on this one. BTW, I do have a new fan belt and it is tight. Ideas?

 

[bbse]

I just thought of something else I meant to ask. As I have stated on this board before, I am an electrically challenged American. I have a 95 model 3054, new battery, starts good. However, sometimes, after I have ran it a cople of hours and turn it off, when I go back to start it it acts like the battery is almost dead. It will start, but it turns over slowly and you can hear the starter solenoid clicking. Mow a while longer, shut down, restarts normal. Ocassionally while running, especially at lower rpm, the electrical light on the dash will blink on momentarily. It never stays on. Not sure where to start on this one. BTW, I do have a new fan belt and it is tight. Ideas?

 

[George2615]

Sounds like your voltage regulator and alternator are working based on the dash light blinking at low RPM. Check your battery with a voltmeter. When running it should read at least 13 - 14 volts. If less than 12 volts, the alternator or regulator may not be working. At low speed you say the light on the dash blinks. That tells me it is charging at higher RPM's if the light is not on then. If your running it a couple hours then it barely wants to start there is a problem. How old is the battery? Its a 95 tractor, is the battery original? is it maintanance free or can you check the electrolyte in the battery? If its original and you have 13v or more while running, you may need a new battery.
Another issue may be the starter or its solenoid, If it cranks hard one time then starts fine the next, one or the other may be going bad.
Another thing to check is that you have good clean connections on the battery posts, and at the starter / solenoid. check and clean off any corrosion. Also if the top of the battery looks wet you could have voltage leakage accross the top of the battery, clean with a mixture of baking soda and water using a brush and hose off.

 

[George2615]

Sounds like your voltage regulator and alternator are working based on the dash light blinking at low RPM. Check your battery with a voltmeter. When running it should read at least 13 - 14 volts. If less than 12 volts, the alternator or regulator may not be working. At low speed you say the light on the dash blinks. That tells me it is charging at higher RPM's if the light is not on then. If your running it a couple hours then it barely wants to start there is a problem. How old is the battery? Its a 95 tractor, is the battery original? is it maintanance free or can you check the electrolyte in the battery? If its original and you have 13v or more while running, you may need a new battery.
Another issue may be the starter or its solenoid, If it cranks hard one time then starts fine the next, one or the other may be going bad.
Another thing to check is that you have good clean connections on the battery posts, and at the starter / solenoid. check and clean off any corrosion. Also if the top of the battery looks wet you could have voltage leakage accross the top of the battery, clean with a mixture of baking soda and water using a brush and hose off.

 

[MotorSeven]

Check the main battery to frame ground wire connection also. A small amount of corrosion/rust/or old paint wll cause some real strange gremlins.
RD

 

[MotorSeven]

Check the main battery to frame ground wire connection also. A small amount of corrosion/rust/or old paint wll cause some real strange gremlins.
RD

 

[TractorLegend]

Flickering light at idle isn't good-indicates charging below threshold.
Ive tested car alternators that put out 13 plus volts and way low amps--so an ammeter under load is a good test if you find 13.5 v at idle and still have trouble.
Fully charged batteries can be load tested to determine if thay have a decent reserve capacity left---hope this helps

 

[TractorLegend]

Flickering light at idle isn't good-indicates charging below threshold.
Ive tested car alternators that put out 13 plus volts and way low amps--so an ammeter under load is a good test if you find 13.5 v at idle and still have trouble.
Fully charged batteries can be load tested to determine if thay have a decent reserve capacity left---hope this helps

 

[bbse]

Thanks guys, I will check as much of this as possible. It is a new battery, I cleaned the connections recently but not the frame ground. I will check that. The light does not flicker constantly, it just comes on for a second or so every once in a while. No pattern I can detect. I will check the amp draw on the starter and the output on the alternator. I am wondering if I may not have a short somewhere. Because I can run it at pto speed several hours...shut down and then have a hard time getting it to turn.. run another hour.. shut down..starts fine. Before I look for a loose wire I will check all these other things first. I will check that ground issue for sure.

 

[bbse]

Thanks guys, I will check as much of this as possible. It is a new battery, I cleaned the connections recently but not the frame ground. I will check that. The light does not flicker constantly, it just comes on for a second or so every once in a while. No pattern I can detect. I will check the amp draw on the starter and the output on the alternator. I am wondering if I may not have a short somewhere. Because I can run it at pto speed several hours...shut down and then have a hard time getting it to turn.. run another hour.. shut down..starts fine. Before I look for a loose wire I will check all these other things first. I will check that ground issue for sure.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think the starter draw is going to tell you. The starter probably needs new brushes. I dont know your specific starter, but some have 4 brushes. I would guess 2 have become intermittent. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think the starter draw is going to tell you. The starter probably needs new brushes. I dont know your specific starter, but some have 4 brushes. I would guess 2 have become intermittent. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Larry

 

[TractorLegend]

hopefully your new battery doesnt say Budget Batteries on the side.
Let us know what you find for:
idling voltage & amps
1500 rpm voltage& amps at the battery terminals
starter amp draw cranking.
Battery cables getting hot during cranking can indicate excess draw.
Excess starter draw possibilities can be
bad starter
inadequate cable size or corrosion
tight motor

but I'm still thinking that charge indicator issue needs addressing to see if charging is weak
good luck & happy hunting-if you werent 4K miles away I would help you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TractorLegend]

hopefully your new battery doesnt say Budget Batteries on the side.
Let us know what you find for:
idling voltage & amps
1500 rpm voltage& amps at the battery terminals
starter amp draw cranking.
Battery cables getting hot during cranking can indicate excess draw.
Excess starter draw possibilities can be
bad starter
inadequate cable size or corrosion
tight motor

but I'm still thinking that charge indicator issue needs addressing to see if charging is weak
good luck & happy hunting-if you werent 4K miles away I would help you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bbse]

I agree on the charge light. If there is a real problem it will only get worse. It starts quickly even when it drags so I doubt the cables are going to get hot. Start is well worn but like I said it turns quickly most of the time. I just rebuilt this engine??? Is it possible that it is just so tight that when it is just shut down it is harder to turn?. I hadn't thought of that. I will try restarts as soon as I shut down and again after it has cooled a little. Still would not explain the light flicker on the panel.

 

[bbse]

I agree on the charge light. If there is a real problem it will only get worse. It starts quickly even when it drags so I doubt the cables are going to get hot. Start is well worn but like I said it turns quickly most of the time. I just rebuilt this engine??? Is it possible that it is just so tight that when it is just shut down it is harder to turn?. I hadn't thought of that. I will try restarts as soon as I shut down and again after it has cooled a little. Still would not explain the light flicker on the panel.