B2150 won't crank, dash lights turn off when key is turned

yodafixedmykubota

New member

Equipment
B2150
Jul 31, 2024
4
0
1
Illinois
I was out brush hogging with my B2150 on Saturday when it bogged down and died. When I went to restart it, it would not crank. When I turn the key to 'accessory' position, the dash lights up as normal. But when I turn the key to 'preheat' it kills all dash lights. I turn past preheat and no lights, no crank. When the key is turned and the lights cut out, I usually hear a click that sounds like a solenoid from under the dash, left side. (Doesn't sound as far down as the starter)

I did some "internet research", and found one cause of this could be a blown fusible link coming off the starter. I'm not able to find this fusible link. I'm not sure if it was deleted at some point. If anyone has a pic of what it looks like, I'd appreciate it.

Based on the results of my googling, I used a multimeter to determine that I have continuity and battery power from the starter to the wire that enters the ignition switch. I was about to buy a new ignition switch, but first thought to clean off the battery terminals real well. When I hooked the battery back up and turned the key I got the same results along with a fast clicking/whine (almost sounded like air being let out of a balloon). I freaked out, disconnected the battery and here I am. If anyone has a wiring diagram for a B2150 and/or any insight on what might be going on here, I thank you in advance for the help.
 

Edke6bnl

Active member

Equipment
B7800 Kubota, case 1840 Skidsteer Ford 3500
Mar 31, 2022
203
100
43
Agua Dulce, California
I think it would be good to put Multimeter on negative and positive on on starter at heavy wire and see what the voltage is with key on start and when key is in on position. To see if you have power to starter and load test of the wire to battery
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex.
May 24, 2019
5,425
2,608
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
I think it would be good to put Multimeter on negative and positive on on starter at heavy wire and see what the voltage is with key on start and when key is in on position. To see if you have power to starter and load test of the wire to battery
I would take it a step further and as the first check, I would put a volt meter on the terminals of the battery and see what happens when I tried to start the tractor.

Right on the terminals, not on the connectors or in the wiring elsewhere. It sounds very much like a battery problem. If the battery holds voltage and the lights go out when you try to start the engine, then it’s an issue separate from the battery and you can move on and troubleshoot it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Wayne gv

New member

Equipment
Mx5200hsd
Jul 31, 2024
7
0
1
Grass Valley Ca
I was out brush hogging with my B2150 on Saturday when it bogged down and died. When I went to restart it, it would not crank. When I turn the key to 'accessory' position, the dash lights up as normal. But when I turn the key to 'preheat' it kills all dash lights. I turn past preheat and no lights, no crank. When the key is turned and the lights cut out, I usually hear a click that sounds like a solenoid from under the dash, left side. (Doesn't sound as far down as the starter)

I did some "internet research", and found one cause of this could be a blown fusible link coming off the starter. I'm not able to find this fusible link. I'm not sure if it was deleted at some point. If anyone has a pic of what it looks like, I'd appreciate it.

Based on the results of my googling, I used a multimeter to determine that I have continuity and battery power from the starter to the wire that enters the ignition switch. I was about to buy a new ignition switch, but first thought to clean off the battery terminals real well. When I hooked the battery back up and turned the key I got the same results along with a fast clicking/whine (almost sounded like air being let out of a balloon). I freaked out, disconnected the battery and here I am. If anyone has a wiring diagram for a B2150 and/or any insight on what might be going on here, I thank you in advance for the help.
PTO engaged or pro safety switch bad.
 

yodafixedmykubota

New member

Equipment
B2150
Jul 31, 2024
4
0
1
Illinois
I would take it a step further and as the first check, I would put a volt meter on the terminals of the battery and see what happens when I tried to start the tractor.

Right on the terminals, not on the connectors or in the wiring elsewhere. It sounds very much like a battery problem. If the battery holds voltage and the lights go out when you try to start the engine, then it’s an issue separate from the battery and you can move on and troubleshoot it.
But if the voltage on the battery dips while the key is turned to start then the battery's weak?
 

PoTreeBoy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
2,587
1,359
113
WestTn/NoMs
I would take it a step further and as the first check, I would put a volt meter on the terminals of the battery and see what happens when I tried to start the tractor.

Right on the terminals, not on the connectors or in the wiring elsewhere. It sounds very much like a battery problem. If the battery holds voltage and the lights go out when you try to start the engine, then it’s an issue separate from the battery and you can move on and troubleshoot it.
Yes, either battery or battery cable/bad connection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex.
May 24, 2019
5,425
2,608
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
But if the voltage on the battery dips while the key is turned to start then the battery's weak?
Yes. If it drops enough for the dash lights to go out. If you measure a good battery when the engine is turning over, you likely would see a little drop in the measured voltage, but not enough to cause the lights to go out.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
10,638
4,493
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
re: I did some "internet research", and found one cause of this could be a blown fusible link coming off the starter.

This can't possibly 'kill the dash lights', so I suggest you get a new 'internet'

If it started fine recently, it's probably a bad primary battery cable,or a lousy connection
Simple test, remove battery, connect known good battery to where the primary cables are attached (NOT on the cables ! )
 

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
61
11
8
Scotland
But if the voltage on the battery dips while the key is turned to start then the battery's weak?
unless the starter has failed and there is a short within it. To rule this out I’d apply voltage directly to the starter to see whether or not that works, if it does then the problem is elsewhere, if the starter doesn’t work then it’s the starter that has failed.
 

Oleracer

Member

Equipment
B2150
Jul 18, 2024
22
46
13
CT
First check would be to test battery with a good load tester. Dont know how many customers i have had tear vehicles apart when its only the battery. They show 12.2-12.8 but under load drop under 9.
 

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
61
11
8
Scotland
As above but also check the connections, make sure they are all good as well. If the battery checks out and the connections are good then check the starter.
 

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex.
May 24, 2019
5,425
2,608
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
First check would be to test battery with a good load tester. Dont know how many customers i have had tear vehicles apart when its only the battery. They show 12.2-12.8 but under load drop under 9.
I’m not disputing this advice.

I would point out though, that the tractor in question definitely has some kind of a problem. When you try to start the engine while measuring voltage at the battery terminals, you are essentially performing a load test on the battery. This is about the easiest first thing one can do.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
10,638
4,493
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
It's also testing the condition of the primary power cables...aka 'battery cables' as well as their connections.
ANY of the 3 will result in 'no start'.
 

Ktrim

Active member

Equipment
B2400, lA352 loader,3pth quick hitch/z122r zero turn/restored 52 farmall super a
Dec 23, 2020
331
191
43
Nazareth Pa
Load test battery 1st. Sudden issues when it's been working fine generally turn out to be battery. Lost a tie bar or cell
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users