BX23 Starter repair/replacement options

[mjyoung]

I bought my first tractor (BX23) last year and have had a great time with it. Lately it has been reluctant to start, clicking on the first few tries before eventually engaging. I suspect the solenoid plunger and contacts are worn and was looking for replacements, but I haven't been able to find any for sale for this model. I did find starters for sale, but they seem to be in the $250-$750 range, several times the price of other similar Kubota models. Even the BX2230, which seems to be basically the same tractor and engine has a different (cheaper) starter.

What are my options? Are there replacement contact/plunger sets available that would work in my starter (p/n 17423-63010)? Is there another model starter that would interchange with it, or am I going to have to buy an expensive Chinese knock off or a really expensive Japanese replacement?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

No, no other starter will fit it, otherwise the numbers would cross.
You could buy the solenoid @ $289.95 or
The whole starter for $261.59
Your choice.
There is only one aftermarket source that has that starter and it has a one year warranty so I don't think they are junk.
It's all in a matter of who you want buy it threw, They are all sold by Rareelectrical.

EBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-12V-1-4...-BX2660D-17423-63010-1742363012-/400309569586

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/STARTER-KUBOTA-BX2660D-17423-63010-1742363012/dp/B0079SGEAG

Sears

http://www.sears.com/rareelectrical-new-12v-1.4kw-cw-starter-motor-kubota/p-SPM6024794905

Newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1BY0PB3626

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to the forum you young guy.

 

[Dieselbob]

Do yourself a favor and find a good starter/alternator shop in your are. Find out where the truckers and farmers take their stuff. Chances are a new solenoid will fix it, but if not they can likely rebuild it, or set you up with a reman or a new unit for less. If the starter truly is an oddball, it's most likely because of the nose housing. Many times they can mate a new or reman motor unit to your old nose housing to match your application. Many of the manufacturers purposely cloud the application issue with multiple and confusing part numbers to try to force unsuspecting customers back to the dealer, but I get paid good money to unravel mysteries like this and save money for my employer. I buy starters for Carrier reefer units (Kubota engines) for about 1/2 what the dealer charges for the same part.

 

[Stubbyie]

Before you start down the replacement pathway, are you completely certain the solenoid-starter are seeing sufficient battery power to engage and turn?

Weak battery, bad chassis negative cable ground connection, corroded or partially broken wiring in the circuit...all are possible in your case as described.

What happens if you jump directly to the solenoid / starter lug from a known good strong battery?

Although haven't worked on a Kubota solenoid / starter I'm reminded by a recent experience with a '68 Ford starter: it was dry, would click but not turn. Disassembled, carefully greased shafts and pivots, got it back together and it works like new or better.

Please post back your experiences so we may all learn.

 

[85Hokie]

Before you start down the replacement pathway, are you completely certain the solenoid-starter are seeing sufficient battery power to engage and turn?

Weak battery, bad chassis negative cable ground connection, corroded or partially broken wiring in the circuit...all are possible in your case as described.

What happens if you jump directly to the solenoid / starter lug from a known good strong battery?

Although haven't worked on a Kubota solenoid / starter I'm reminded by a recent experience with a '68 Ford starter: it was dry, would click but not turn. Disassembled, carefully greased shafts and pivots, got it back together and it works like new or better.

Please post back your experiences so we may all learn.

Stubbie took the words out of my mouth ......do ALL of what he said first.

Clean - Bright and Tight.......and then reevaluate the situation. I have had issues in the past and 50% of the time it is a bad connection somewhere!

Good luck and post back with whatcha find !

 

[mjyoung]

Thanks everyone for the welcome and recommendations.

I did try a known good battery, but didn't yet try jumping it to the starter directly. It will be a few days before I get back to it, but I will report back.

 

[Tomcat]

Welcome to the forum you young guy.

mickeyd: I don't think that will fix the problem.

Dieselbob has good advice, take the starter to a proper shop and have them check it out. Could save you some big bucks and a headache.

 

[mjyoung]

Thanks again, everyone. Problem solved.

I jumped from the battery to the terminal and the starter performed perfectly. I eventually found a poorly made splice (just twisted wire, no tape, solder or anything) in the wire between the ignition switch and the starter.

I would still be interested to hear (for future reference) if anyone has ever tried this starter on a BX23

http://www.amazon.com/D905E-BX-228000-6320-228000-6321-2280006320-2280006321/dp/B00BLTJWEO

since it is listed for the same D905E-BX engine.

 

[Dieselbob]

Great news. Glad it was something simple. Some people should NEVER EVER EVER be allowed to touch wiring, because they either don't know what they are doing, are too lazy to do it right, or both.