M5030 won't start

[westx]

Symptoms: turn key to ON, see dashboard power up, turn key to START, hear a couple quick clicks, then total loss of power. Turn key off and then ON again, no dashboard lights. No power at all. If I wait 10 mins or so, power returns when I turn key to ON, but the same symptoms repeat if I turn to START.

I've always had issues starting this tractor, but usually a few tries, a few clicks, and eventually it will start.


I'm running thru the electrical system diagnostics in my manual. I've determined the safety switch and main switch are functional (EDIT: fuses are still intact as well; not sure about the fusable link because I can't locate it). But I've reached an impasse because I can't recognize the glow timer, glow relay, and starter relay. There are several relays under the hood behind the battery but I can't distinguish between them and the photos in the manual aren't helpful.

Any help diagnosing or identifying between relays would be very helpful!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Remove, clean and replace both ends of both battery cables first.

Then if you have the same symptoms remove the battery and take it to a auto parts store and have it load tested, a dead cell will act just like you are stating.

 

[westx]

Remove, clean and replace both ends of both battery cables first.

Then if you have the same symptoms remove the battery and take it to a auto parts store and have it load tested, a dead cell will act just like you are stating.

Will do.

Kinda frustrating because I JUST bought this battery not 6 months ago from the local auto parts.

 

[whirly]

Will do.

Kinda frustrating because I JUST bought this battery not 6 months ago from the local auto parts.

Actually the easiest thing to do to test if it's the battery is to jump start it. If it starts right away you know it's the battery.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Actually the easiest thing to do to test if it's the battery is to jump start it. If it starts right away you know it's the battery.

Not necessarily true, when dealing with a battery with a shorted or dead cell it can also pull a live battery down low enough to still not allow it to start.

 

[westx]

Battery tested and it passed.

Found a parts diagram on the kubota site and was able to identify and test the starter relay, glow lamp timer, and glow plug relay as functional.

However, there's no 12V power detected at the power plug points for those two relays. Is this a harness issue?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds more like a switch issue, or a ground issue.
If your problem has been hit and miss, I would suspect the ground connection.
Also check the hot feed from the starter to the switch.

 

[1970cs]

Yep, I am with NIW on this one. Had a couple of service call units do that to me! Good lights and hit the key no crank, all the electrical goes dead for a few minutes and comes back. Bad ground or corrosion in the cable.

Pat

 

[westx]

It was a ground issue. The quick disconnect terminal added by the previous owner had gone bad. Connected that directly to the neg terminal and it fires right up!

Thanks for the help.