Starting problem -Glow Plugs?

Ladew · Oct 24, 2011

My 4720 wouldn't start for the FIRST TIME in nearly five years (since new). The glow plug light came on but I didn't hear the "ticking" associated to the plugs heating. Glow plug light shuts down but no start. Makes me think the timer is OK but maybe a relay is out? The engine/starter turns but just won't fire. Anybody have thoughts on this?

Unfortunately the dealer I bought the tractor from went out of business a couple years back so nobody nearby to call for advice. I'm by no means a mechanic but will try simple fixes if possible.

thanks!

MicroPilot · Oct 24, 2011

Ladew said:
My 4720 wouldn't start for the FIRST TIME in nearly five years (since new). The glow plug light came on but I didn't hear the "ticking" associated to the plugs heating. Glow plug light shuts down but no start. Makes me think the timer is OK but maybe a relay is out? The engine/starter turns but just won't fire. Anybody have thoughts on this?

Unfortunately the dealer I bought the tractor from went out of business a couple years back so nobody nearby to call for advice. I'm by no means a mechanic but will try simple fixes if possible.

thanks!

Check the fuel cutoff solenoid to make sure it's activating. You should hear a loud "click" when the key in turned to the on position.

Zork · Oct 26, 2011

The click on the fuel cut off is good information. See if you can hear the fuel pump pumping (my opinion is that a pre-filter should be installed since a small piece of debris can stop the pump). If you can access the glow plugs safely put a test light on the power source and see if the test-light comes on when the glow plugs are powered up.

52wej · Oct 26, 2011

I had the same problem, no clicking noise. It turned out to be the fuel pump. As recommended, do be sure you get a loud click from the fuel solenoid just as you turn the key on. You can buy a replacement pump from Napa that works great. Willie Jones

Ladew · Oct 28, 2011

thanks for the info. Sure enough no loud click from the fuel pump. only click I'm hearing is the glow plug light on the dashboard turning on then off. strange that when i checked yesterday the engine is not turning at all now - nothing - whereas a few days ago it turned but didn't fire up. willie - did you replace the entire pump or just the shutoff solenoid and was the napa cross-reference easy enough?

Zork · Oct 28, 2011

Ladew said:
thanks for the info. Sure enough no loud click from the fuel pump. only click I'm hearing is the glow plug light on the dashboard turning on then off. strange that when i checked yesterday the engine is not turning at all now - nothing - whereas a few days ago it turned but didn't fire up. willie - did you replace the entire pump or just the shutoff solenoid and was the napa cross-reference easy enough?

I would guess the solenoid could be modified with an alternate or even go with a manual cable; like a small engine choke cable.

MicroPilot · Oct 28, 2011

Ladew said:
thanks for the info. Sure enough no loud click from the fuel pump. only click I'm hearing is the glow plug light on the dashboard turning on then off. strange that when i checked yesterday the engine is not turning at all now - nothing - whereas a few days ago it turned but didn't fire up. willie - did you replace the entire pump or just the shutoff solenoid and was the napa cross-reference easy enough?

I'd check ALL electrical connections to be sure they are clean, including fuses. You may want to put the battery on a charger also.

There are a couple of solenoids, relays involved with fuel delivery. There should be a relay to power the fuel pump, and a separate system for fuel cutoff using a relay and fuel cutoff solenoid. It's not typical for the fuel cut-off solenoid to be part of the fuel pump.

A quick and dirty test for the pump is to disconnect the fuel line somewhere after the pump and see if it's squirting any fuel when the key is turned on.

52wej · Oct 28, 2011

Ladew It certainly sounds like you are having more electrical problems. I did what Micro Pilot suggested first and that is when I realized the pump was shot. But everything else was turning and operating. I just took my old pump with me and the Napa folks matched it very easily. Willie jones

Ladew · Oct 31, 2011

Thanks for all the help. It ended up being the fuel pump. I fitted a basic NAPA in-line pump and it fired right up. Right around $50 and pretty simple install...pheww!