MX5200 HST will not crank

[NordTrac]

The tractor will not crank when the key is turned to START (not even some click). The dashboard comes alive when the key is ON, I can hear the fuel pomp and the glow plug light goes off after 15-20 seconds.

All this points to a problem with one of the switches in the engine start circuit (battery power is good and available at terminal B of the starter). I disconnected PTO switch and confirmed it's good.

Now, the HST pedal switch is a PITA to get to. I disconnected the HST damper to get better access but the tie rod behind can't be easily removed. I'm trying to disconnect the connector from the switch. I've been pulling pretty hard but I don't want to break the connector. It just won't come off.

What would be the next easiest troubleshooting step to try to isolate whether the HST switch is bad without disconnecting it?

 

[MOOTS]

Try starting while slowly rocking the HST pedal forward and reverse. Could just be out of adjustment.

 

[NordTrac]

Thanks Moots. I did try that (forgot to mention it).

Well... I had to put everything back together before heading back to the city. Just before I was about to pull the tarp over it, I said to myself "let's try one more time". It started right away.

So... I don't know what was wrong or when it'll do the same thing again. I played quite a bit with the HST assembly and switch so perhaps I moved something in there that was off. Or maybe it was the PTO switch because I did not try to start it again right after I checked it.

More troubleshooting down the road is to be expected.

Can't wait to get the shipping container as a temporary garage to troubleshoot in dry conditions.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Can't wait to get the shipping container as a temporary garage to troubleshoot in dry conditions.

I think you will find out pretty quick, that it will be pretty hard to do that in there!