TC33DA won't crank

oh58 · Aug 11, 2012

I thought, I ran my TC33DA out of diesel a couple of days ago. The diesel was low and I was headed back to the house and all the sudden the tractor shut off. I refilled it today but the tractor won't crank. The battery is fully charged, the glow light comes on as normal. All dash instruments appear to be working and have power. When I turn the key over, I can hear a slight click but can't tell where it is coming from. The tractor doesn't try to turn over. I have moved the shift lever back in forwards to make sure it is in neutral. Any suggestions on what to check next.

mvwicker · Aug 11, 2012

There could be air in your fuel line, which would need to be bled. Then the engine would crank without starting.

You may have disconnected the neutral or PTO safety interlock wire under the tractor by running over a branch. Then the starter would not engage at all.

big lar · Aug 11, 2012

Hope you have the owners manual because they a B to bleed. But it could be a safety switch as suggested.

oh58 · Aug 12, 2012

Thanks, I checked the PTO safety wire it was connected. That has happened to me before. I'm not sure if the second wire beside it is the netural wire but it is connected as well. I changed the fuel filter, but the system won't crank over to bled the lines. It does seem to me like it a safety switch or something.

thclimer · Aug 12, 2012

Have you checked all your fuses, are your battery conncetions clean and tight? Sounds like you are not getting power where you need it.

madmax12 · Aug 12, 2012

It probably has nothing to do with it, but both times my young son was trying go start the tractor, he couldn't. I got in and it started right up. I think he wasn't heavy enough.

Could it be your seat switch?

jinman · Aug 12, 2012

thclimer said:
Have you checked all your fuses, are your battery conncetions clean and tight? Sounds like you are not getting power where you need it.

I completely agree. That's exactly my advice also. Since the tractor died and the starter will not operate, the fuses or the battery connections have to be suspect. If the tractor dies and the starter operates, but the engine won't start, that's almost always a faulty seat switch, but this sounds exactly like a fuse or dirty terminal problem.

oh58 · Aug 12, 2012

Thanks everyone for the help. Ok, pulled battery connections and all are all clean. First 10 amp fuse I checked on top right hand side of tractor blown. Replaced, now the tractor cranks over, started for about 5 seconds and shut off. I guess now I'm on to bleding the lines.

oh58 · Aug 12, 2012

I'm now operational!!! I had replace the fuel filter last night. I opened the bowl until fuel was coming out. I then followed the fuel line to the injectors. There was a bolt on top of the injectors where the fuel line connected. I unscrewed the bolt until fuel start coming out. There is a hole in the bolt to allow fuel out. I started cranking and the tractor started up. I then tightened the bolt. Wasn't to hard, only took a couple of minutes. Thanks for everyones help. It was needed!!!