TC 35D won't start?

[PegasusBlue]

TC 35D won\'t start?

Good day,

I am posting this to seek advice as t o probable causes to the problem that my TC 35D (120hrs) won't start for the past two days.

I live in Canada, and though we had a cold snap a week ago, the temperatures have been relatively mild the last few days. It has not been plugged in, and I have not had to use it since just before the cold snap (-29 degrees celcius). When I turn the key, the starter goes but the engine does not turn over, the battery is not dead and the tank is about half full.

Any suggestions as to the cause?

I thought it could be
a. because of the change in temp that condensation formed in the fuel lines and water is in the lines now, or
b. the fuel solenoid is not activating?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, it is hydrostatic and parked under a shelter.

Thanks everyone

PegasusBlue

 

[DarinRay]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

Well you've come to the right place for info that's for sure. Now I am a little baffled, doesn't take much, about the statement you made about the starter goes but the engine doesn't turn over. I would say you don't have to worry about fuel in any way until you get your motor to turn over. What do you hear when you turn the key?

Darin

 

[PegasusBlue]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

Thanks for the quick reply. When I turn the key the starter whirs (how to describe the sound??), the same as a car on a cold day until it catches. But it just keeps going and going and going. Normally it catches right away, but alas it has yet to go. Of course unlike the car I can't use the gas pedal to inject fuel.

Still puzzled...

 

[JohnMiller3]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

<font color=blue>… It has not been plugged in, and I have not had to use it since just before the cold snap (-29 degrees celcius)…</font color=blue>

My first thoughts would be fuel gelled up… top off your tank with kerosene, take a tarp, drape over the tractor like a tent, with a 1500 watt electric heater underneath for a couple hours to thaw things out… you can also use a hair dryer to heat up concentrated areas of concern… this normally would get you going and get the proper winterized fuel mix or add some winter additives..

I don’t quite understand your comment “that starter turns over… but not the engine”… Could you possibly expand on that…?

 

[DarinRay]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

Hmmmm- Now see on my equipment if the starter spins it doesn't take any time to start spinning the engine. I mean the starter engages and it's directly geared to teh flywheel of your engine. So maybe the starter isn't engaging at all and is just like you said just spinning and not extending out to catch your flywheel. And if that's the case it's your starter. But hey I don't really know and am sure someone here will straighen us both out.

Darin

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

As with most diesels, the tc35 has a preheat circuit......try turning the switch to the on position....allowing the preheat light to go off, then instead of cranking the starter, turn the switch off for an instant, then turn switch back to on [preheat] allow the cycle to preheat again then crank starter...keep the throttle at a low setting so as not to over fuel the engine....It seems some manufacturer's have a set time for the preheat and It may be not creating enough heat for combustion....you may have to preheat it 3 or 4 times before it starts......Good luck....TOM

 

[bgott]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

It sounds like the overrunning clutch on your starter has frozen to the shaft. You might try warming the starter up with a heater. It'll take a while for the heat to spread to the shaft. You might have to pull the starter and clean and oil the shaft and free up the drive. The solenoid could also be gummed up and not pushing the drive into the flywheel when you crank it.

I went back and looked at you postings again and I'm a bit confused. Is the starter running but not cranking the engine? Or is it cranking and not starting? If the fan is turning while the starter is running, aim the heater at the fuel filter. Keep it back from the fuel system components a couple of feet. You want to melt the wax in the filter, not burn up the tractor. If the starter is running but the fan is not turning then you have a mechanical problem with the starter. Clear as mud?

 

[jlong]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

One other thing to check--

I had problem starting once. It was during the summer. After about 100 hours or so, a friend using my TC35D called to say that the tractor stalled and won't start. After making sure that there was fuel, we continued trying to start. Noticed the fuel filter had some black slime built up, but not before blowing a fuse while trying to start. We had to replace the fuse behind the instrument panel and clean the fuel filter. I can't remember if the blown fuse had to do with a fuel pump or operation of the starter. Might be worth looking at. Good Luck.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

I think the most important thing that we need to know, which has already been mentioned is.
Is the starter enganging the fly wheel ???
If the starter IS NOT engaging and turning over the engine then the problem is indeed with the starter.
If the starter IS engaging and turning over the engine then the problem lies within the engine itself.

 

[markie61]

Re: TC 35D won\'t start?

I agree - when cranking the starter, is the fan-blade spinning? If not, it's probably the starter solenoid sticking. A couple moderate taps on the starter or solenoid works well on my old '55 Ford when it is sticking.

If the fan IS spinning, I have no clue.....

Mark