BX23S Starter engaging while running

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
I replaced the starter switch,starter relay, and even put a cut off switch to the starter and it still didn’t fix my problem
Something is not adding up, if you cut power to the starter solenoid it should not start on it's own.
 

Robert Konkel

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Kubota BX23S
May 22, 2024
13
0
1
Alabama
look in the electrical sub forum, post #13
you can also get the WSM @www.kubotabooks.com I think.

If you disconnect the blk/wht wire from the spade lug on the starter after you've started the engine, does the start still spin ?
can you bypass or put a cut off switch there ?
 

GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
WHY ??
Do this simple check. remove the blk/wht wire from the tab at starter.
Measure on the wire with respect to ground.
If it shows +12 ,then the 'starter relay' ( under the dash ) has failed ( contact burned closed)

report back what you find.
 

Robert Konkel

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Kubota BX23S
May 22, 2024
13
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Alabama
This situation is not an always starter engages. It just happens at different times. I am going to try my tractor out again and see if it engages while I am working it. I will get back later
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
This situation is not an always starter engages. It just happens at different times. I am going to try my tractor out again and see if it engages while I am working it. I will get back later
Start the tractor as normal.
Remove the BLK/WHT wire off the solenoid.
Run it.
If the starter engages then you have an internal issue with the starter replace it.
If it doesn't do it.
Put a test light attached to the BLK/WHT wire and to ground, put it up on the dash or anywhere you can see it while working, run the tractor and look for the light flashing.
If that doesn't work you can use a simple car horn hooked up like the test light to get the same audible result.
If a relay is bouncing or becoming unintentionally energized I can tell you how to test that, after the results of the first test.
 
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Robert Konkel

New member

Equipment
Kubota BX23S
May 22, 2024
13
0
1
Alabama
look in the electrical sub forum, post #13
you can also get the WSM @www.kubotabooks.com I think.

If you disconnect the blk/wht wire from the spade lug on the starter after you've started the engine, does the start still spin ?
I unplugged the black/white wire and the starter stopped. So I put a disconnect switch on the black/white wire. ON for start and then switch to OFF after starting. I used the tractor all day and the starter never kicked in one time during use with the switch in the OFF position. I don't know if it is doing any damage to anything. I haven't seen any sign so far. Only time will tell
 

GreensvilleJay

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Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,749
6,238
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
You've probably got a bad 'starter relay'. It's beside fuse box, 1 of 4 all the same.
Try swapping it for say 'headlight' relay, see it problem 'magically ' goes away and now headlights stay on .

The only other possible is a bad 'ignition / main ' switch.
 

Robert Konkel

New member

Equipment
Kubota BX23S
May 22, 2024
13
0
1
Alabama
You've probably got a bad 'starter relay'. It's beside fuse box, 1 of 4 all the same.
Try swapping it for say 'headlight' relay, see it problem 'magically ' goes away and now headlights stay on .

The only other possible is a bad 'ignition / main ' switch.
Just recently replaced starter relay. New one started doing the same thing
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,749
6,238
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
Power goes from fuse to main switch to HST pedal switch to PTO switch to relay....
ALL 3 have to be closed to get power from battery to relay
The odds of that happening are well, next to none...
You'd have to have a defective pedal switch, defective PTO switch and a bad main switch.
Have a real good look at the wiring around the starter relay, look for possible short between the Red and the Black/yellow wires. if they were shorted starter could be spinning 24/7.
 

Robert Konkel

New member

Equipment
Kubota BX23S
May 22, 2024
13
0
1
Alabama
Power goes from fuse to main switch to HST pedal switch to PTO switch to relay....
ALL 3 have to be closed to get power from battery to relay
The odds of that happening are well, next to none...
You'd have to have a defective pedal switch, defective PTO switch and a bad main switch.
Have a real good look at the wiring around the starter relay, look for possible short between the Red and the Black/yellow wires. if they were shorted starter could be spinning 24/7.
I replaced the key switch. I will take a look at the wires around the relay. Thanks !
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,749
6,238
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
did you print out the wiring diagram from #13 post ?
if so, use a highlighter to mark how the power gets from battery to starter relay.

since you replace the main switch and the relay, it's unlikely relay coil is being few 'properly'.
 

kgrose

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Equipment
BX23
May 9, 2026
2
0
1
WA
BX23 I have the same thing going on. I've replaced the ignition switch (keyed switch) starter, and relay. Today it fully engaged, wouldn't turn off with key or holding in shut down solenoid. Starter ended up burning out and fried the positive lead from the starter to the battery.

Any additional avenues I can persue?
 

whitetiger

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Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
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Kansas City, KS
BX23 I have the same thing going on. I've replaced the ignition switch (keyed switch) starter, and relay. Today it fully engaged, wouldn't turn off with key or holding in shut down solenoid. Starter ended up burning out and fried the positive lead from the starter to the battery.

Any additional avenues I can persue?
Are you sure you replaced the starter relay or one of the others?
 
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kgrose

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BX23
May 9, 2026
2
0
1
WA
Are you sure you replaced the starter relay or one of the others?
I swapped all the relays around. I just bought 4 new ones, and will replace them all when I put the new starter in later in the week.
Its been randomly engaging the starter while the tractor runs, but only for a second. When this happened before the tractor started itself several different times. I would wake up to the sound of it running outside. That stopped after replacing the ignition switch, but i obviously still have issues going on.