Won't Start after shut down

[MIKE R]

Today I had the Massey 1020 out after last nights snow storm to clean the drive way. It started good from being cold and not being run in a week. I cleared snow with it for over a hour. When I turned if off to clean the snow from it before attempting to put it back in the garage, when I went to start NOTHING happened. All the lights came on as they always do but no click or noises from the starter.(possibly a bad solenoid???) I checked all the wires and don't have any loose connections. I pushed it back into the garage to let the snow melt off. I'll check it out later and see if it works and test all the circuits with the meter.

Any other ideas on what could cause this?

 

[joemd11]

Could it be a frozen safety-interlock switch? Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[MIKE R]

Could it be a frozen safety-interlock switch? Hope you get it sorted out.

Thats what I am thinking. I had checked to make sure all the levers are in the correct position and moved them back and forth to see if it makes a difference. I'll see what happens after it sits in the garage and warms up. I might put the battery charger on it to be sure the battery is not dead.

 

[Don87]

Thats what I am thinking. I had checked to make sure all the levers are in the correct position and moved them back and forth to see if it makes a difference. I'll see what happens after it sits in the garage and warms up. I might put the battery charger on it to be sure the battery is not dead.

Did you figure it out?

 

[lambs]

Check the battery first. See if you are getting current down to the starter.

If you have current at the starter, you should be able to put the tractor in neutral, then jump across from the hot terminal on the starter over to the solenoid terminal using a screwdriver. This should cause the starter to engage. If you give it throttle before you do this, it will start the tractor. So be careful because this also bypasses all the safety switches.

If this works, then you need to trace the wiring to find the problem. But you did indicate the lights work, so if that includes dash lights, the ignition switch is probably ok.

If you have a clutch safety switch, and you should, you can bypass it just by unplugging the connector wires from it and plugging them together. You could also have a PTO safety switch, and a switch under the seat as well.

On my 1010 I found the voltage dropped significantly as the current went to the ignition, through the clutch safety switch, and back to the starter solenoid. I ended up installing a $7 Radio Shack relay so the current flowing back to the solenoid tripped a relay instead. The relay then connects the current from the battery directy to the solenoid. You can check for this problem as well by removing the wire from the solenoid and checking for the voltage getting through it when you turn the key to the start position to start the tractor. Mine was around 9.4 volts, just not enough.

Keep us posted.

 

[MIKE R]

Did you figure it out?

Yes I did. Looks like the battery was low. I guess running the heater and all the lights is too much for it. I didn't have my battery charger over where the tractor is so I'll go over after and charge it and let it run for a while at high idle to charge it up fully. I had this same issue last year but that was because it was a 15 year old battery I had in it. I didn't even consider the battery because it is fairly new.

 

[tthopskin@yahoo.ca]

Yes I did. Looks like the battery was low. I guess running the heater and all the lights is too much for it. I didn't have my battery charger over where the tractor is so I'll go over after and charge it and let it run for a while at high idle to charge it up fully. I had this same issue last year but that was because it was a 15 year old battery I had in it. I didn't even consider the battery because it is fairly new.

.............................................................................................................................................
charge your battery full with the charger .. the alternator WILL NOT CHARGE A BATTERY it. just put back what is taken to start your tractor ..so every time you leave the lights on or start it alot you will kill your battery for the alternator cant recharge ???? why dont know but it wont ..save your fuel use the charger lol:thumbsup:

 

[MIKE R]

.............................................................................................................................................
charge your battery full with the charger .. the alternator WILL NOT CHARGE A BATTERY it. just put back what is taken to start your tractor ..so every time you leave the lights on or start it alot you will kill your battery for the alternator cant recharge ???? why dont know but it wont ..save your fuel use the charger lol:thumbsup:

I charged it up and it started fine.

If this is the case how does boosting a vehicle work? You get it started and let it charge its self up.

 

[Don87]

I charged it up and it started fine.

If this is the case how does boosting a vehicle work? You get it started and let it charge its self up.

Thanks for letting us know the outcome.

Have you checked that the alternator is putting out the correct amperage? If it is, then you may be able to get a larger alternator to cover the load you are putting on the battery.

 

[Don87]

.............................................................................................................................................
charge your battery full with the charger .. the alternator WILL NOT CHARGE A BATTERY it. just put back what is taken to start your tractor ..so every time you leave the lights on or start it alot you will kill your battery for the alternator cant recharge ???? why dont know but it wont ..save your fuel use the charger lol:thumbsup:

This statement is incorrect.

 

[The kid]

Yes I did. Looks like the battery was low. I guess running the heater and all the lights is too much for it. I didn't have my battery charger over where the tractor is so I'll go over after and charge it and let it run for a while at high idle to charge it up fully. I had this same issue last year but that was because it was a 15 year old battery I had in it. I didn't even consider the battery because it is fairly new.

If you have a bit of time you can rejuvenate that tired battery. If it's a maitenance free battery with no holes or plugs visible, then the battery probably has dried out. Feel around on top of the battery till you feel six circles in a straight line lengthwise on the top. Peel back the plastic label. The plugs either pop out with a small screwdriver or actually unscrew and has a rubber O right to keep them from leaking.

If the battery is 15 years old then it probably needs replacement so a bit of experientation won't hurt. Open the plugs and look inside with a flashlight. Low to no water in one or more cells. A whitish color inside is a sign of a sulphated battery which coats the lead plates and greatly reduces charge capacity. I took two tired batteries what where main Free and brought them back to usable life. I was saving them to use on a new battery exchange. I saw a bunch of videos on Youtube where people took "epson salt" aka magnesium sulfate and distilled water and removed the sulfate from the batteries. To my suprise it worked on both batteries. Basically the salts react with the sulfate in the battery and converts it back to sulfuric acid and clears enough plates to bring a dying battery back to a usuable state. Google "how to fix a maintenance free battery" OR.. If you don't want to bother just buy another one.

 

[MIKE R]

The Kid. Sorry I forgot to state I put a new battery in it last spring because the old one finally went. It is working fine now. The alternator is working fine.

 

[The kid]

Thanks for letting us know the outcome.

Have you checked that the alternator is putting out the correct amperage? If it is, then you may be able to get a larger alternator to cover the load you are putting on the battery.

Bingo. :thumbsup:

 

[MIKE R]

Thanks for letting us know the outcome.

Have you checked that the alternator is putting out the correct amperage? If it is, then you may be able to get a larger alternator to cover the load you are putting on the battery.

I checked every thing and its reading good. As long as it starts and runs I'm happy. This was the first time I used the heater and all the lights. It was a little to much. I know the alternator is able to keep up with the heater and head light draw but not both plus 2 other lights up on top the cab.

 

[Don87]

I checked every thing and its reading good. As long as it starts and runs I'm happy. This was the first time I used the heater and all the lights. It was a little to much. I know the alternator is able to keep up with the heater and head light draw but not both plus 2 other lights up on top the cab.

Time for a larger alternator, or maybe swtch to LED lighting to keep your amperage draw equal to or less than the amperage that the alternator puts out.

 

[lambs]

It may make little difference here, but I'm not certain that the 1020 actually uses an alternator either. I think some were made with generators. I know my 1010 was, and I see references to both in my manuals.