L3800 HST Starting Issues

[wendol]

I purchased this tractor 6 months ago (45 hrs) and it has always had this problem since I purchased it. I replaced the battery 5 months ago, and just had it retested this morning and it checks out fine.

When starting the tractor, it varies from a normal start, then other times the rat-a-tat-tat (starter not engaged during this), and at other times it's as if the battery is almost drained (very slow to turn over, but will start).

I've read about issues surrounding the foot pedal (forward/reverse), not being centered. Would this "non centered" issue cause all these variations when starting?

Thanks for any/all help!!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes the HST switch can cause issues.

 

[Jim L.]

You are turning the key to the left a few seconds to pre-heat the cylinders with the glowplugs, Right?

 

[wendol]

You are turning the key to the left a few seconds to pre-heat the cylinders with the glowplugs, Right?

I've tried it both ways (preheat, no preheat) and doesn't seem to make a difference.

I would like to find a way to jump (bypass) the switch on the hydrostat pedal. Any thoughts on how to do this?

 

[85Hokie]

the part where you say sounds if the battery is almost drained makes me think it is not a safety switch, a switch will kill the circuit - should get nuttin, no click other than a key turning,

I think you might have a open circuit somewhere, that when the conditions are right, it seems to work and other times it does not. A poor connection.

Check the places that the cables connect to the battery- take them OFF - clean the posts and the inside of the connections. Then find where the ground goes to the engine/chassis, unhook and clean and re-hook it. Look carefully at all these wires, sometimes it will corrode under the insulation and cause problems when the outside of the cable looks fine.

It could be in your key switch too - just had a john deere gator give us fits for not turning over hot or cold, checked everything 3 times.......replaced the switch and no problems since.

 

[Jim L.]

I agree with Hokie to check the connections for good contact.

The HST switch is by your right foot when seated on the L3800HST.

The electrical connector has four wires - need to squeeze the center of the latch on the connector to be able to pull it off of the switch.

The female lugs in the connector need to be jumpered:
Black w/white stripe to Red w/black stripe.
Black w/yellow stripe to yellow w/ black stripe.

This should simulate a centered HST pedal.