tc30 no-start with glow line hooked to ignition sw

Soundguy · Jan 12, 2006

I've got an aquaintance with a tc30. he says that the tractor won't start ( turn over ) if the glow plug line is hooke dup at the ignition switch.. but if he pulls the line.. it will crank over.

Also mentioned the main fuse had burned before he noticed this ( did replace ).

This sound like a shorted glow plug.. or a bad timer module not allowing crank?

Soundguy

DieselMonk · Jan 12, 2006

Could be also the relay stuck, broken or shorted wires. In anycase... a multi meter would give you the answer pretty quick what's going on in there.

Max

BGL990 · Jan 12, 2006

Could it even be as simple as a bad battery? I don't know how much current the glow plugs take on that tractor, but I suspect you could count on 10 to 15 amps each (the ones in my Mom's Chev pickup take ~12 amps each). Assuming 4 cylinders, that's around 50 amps. If the battery is low or too old, maybe that's enough to pull it down to the point that it won't turn over?

Just a thought ...

Gumby6 · Jan 12, 2006

As a new TC30 owner I am watching this thread with interest.

Soundguy · Jan 12, 2006

Hmm.. it's a cyl anyway.. Considering it turns over fine with no glo.. and each might draw 10-15a.. that's only 45a on a what? 650 cca battery? I'd hate to thing that 14% of the battery power was 100% of the margin between starting fine, and not even making the relay buzz or click...

I'm more thinking a bad module.. etc.. / stuck..

Soundguy

Soundguy · Jan 12, 2006

Should say.. "3" cyl...

Soundguy

DieselMonk · Jan 12, 2006

I've got thinking here again as that bugged me. Sooooo I got out my manual, layed on the couch and read my wiring diagram. The other thing that keeps it from cranking are the safety features. Like that one on the seat. Nobody sits on it, the engine will not crank. Do the glow plugs work when the key is in the glow position? The glow light is no indicator if the actual plugs are glowing or not. Anyway... lets go from here... rule a few things out and see what is left. Now I feel better!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Max

djradz · Jan 13, 2006

Wow, this sounds really strange. First off, one of the last things I would look to for the "no-crank" would be the glow plugs - maybe "no-start" but definitely not no-crank. Also, why would he pull that wire? Almost makes me wonder if something else hasn't been monkeyed with under the dash and maybe more than one wire has been misconnected.

Also, I think on the TC30, there is a glow-plug position, sort of like an "accessories" position on a auto, that you get to by turning the key counterclockwise. The plugs then glow for about 10 seconds (with the light on) and then continue with the light off, but still heating, for as long as you hold the key.

Gator6x4 · Jan 13, 2006

Could be the ignition switch. Reconnet glow plugs and jump start at starter. The cubs had a bad problem with not enough volts/amp going to the starter. Would just click or not make a sound when attempting to start. The fix to that was the installation of a relay.

Soundguy · Jan 13, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, why would he pull that wire? Almost makes me wonder if something else hasn't been monkeyed )</font>

When this first started.. he called a mechanic that said to replace the ignition switch.. so he did. In the process of wireing it back up.. he found that if he left the glow line off.. it would crank and start fine.. just no glow.... weird..

Soundguy