starter cliks

North Idaho Wolfman

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If your Kubota starter solenoid needs another solenoid to make it work then something is Wrong!

Bad switch, Bad wiring, Bad battery, Fix the problem or your sure to have others!

In the case of JD's needing a second solenoid, they need it because they had a bad (old) design, it was a design that was based on the old 6volt system that had more amperage.
 
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Tx Jim

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In the case of JD's needing a second solenoid, they need it because they had a bad (old) design, it was a design that was based on the old 6volt system that had more amperage.
Wolfman
Your statement is inaccurate. JD started including the extra solenoid(relay) on wiring harnesses in 1969 when they changed from 24 volt system to 12 volt systems on tractors with diesel engines. It had nothing to do with 6 volt system. Later JD came out with the relay kit to install on their hard starting utility tractors to give added amperage to the original starter "S" wire. Some times with age corrosion causes bad connections to any brand farm equipment including Kubota so as not to provide correct amperage on the starter excitement wire. This is just a simple solution.
 

lsmurphy

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Wolfman
Your statement is inaccurate. JD started including the extra solenoid(relay) on wiring harnesses in 1969 when they changed from 24 volt system to 12 volt systems on tractors with diesel engines. It had nothing to do with 6 volt system. Later JD came out with the relay kit to install on their hard starting utility tractors to give added amperage to the original starter "S" wire. Some times with age corrosion causes bad connections to any brand farm equipment including Kubota so as not to provide correct amperage on the starter excitement wire. This is just a simple solution.


NO! the simple solution is to correct the problem.



After 20 or 30 years it's time to build a new harness, run new cables, new grounds, ..etc..


Bandaids on top of bandaids is just lazyass.


I guess no one wants to do anything correct anymore?
 

Tx Jim

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NO! the simple solution is to correct the problem.



After 20 or 30 years it's time to build a new harness, run new cables, new grounds, ..etc..


Bandaids on top of bandaids is just lazyass.


I guess no one wants to do anything correct anymore?
Having served as a dealer service manager years back I can tell you that sometimes tracing down problems in a wiring harness can take several man hrs. Some tractor owners don't have the expertise or $$$$$$ for dealer shop rate to diagnose the wiring problems. Call it a bandaid or lazy if you choose but if $30 will get it starting VS 100's of $$$$ then that's the way this ole country man will do it!!!!!
 

MikeES

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I know that this is an old thread but here is the reason for the JD relay.

The starter needs at least 12.6 volts to kick in, and you will need an almost perfect system to supply that high of voltage. JD has this problem with its Japanese engines, probably the same starter mfg. as Kubota.
The circuit is from the battery (nice heavy cable) to the starter, from the starter up to and through the key switch and back down to the starter.
The JD relay takes the wiring to and from the key switch and the contacts in the key switch out of the critical circuit.

My B2400 would always start but you never knew if it was going to be the first try or the 20th.

The relay is easy to install with no cutting or splicing of any wires, just plug it in and uses the same connectors that are on the starter. Much less expensive, faster, easier and more permanent than replacing the key switch.
 

CaveCreekRay

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Guys,

This appears to be PRECISELY the problem my dealer mentioned on the L3800s. Evidently the gauge wire from the starter switch to the relay or solenoid is under gauge. It works for awhile but then, after harder start attempts, as in cold weather, the wire starts to break down. The dealer is running one new heavy gauge wire and they are having good results.

Now if heavier wire gets the job done, or the weaker wire will operate a relay to pull hot current in from a new wire directly from the battery, you are doing the same thing: MORE CURRENT TO THE STARTER. We all agree that grounds and cables need to be checked but, when those don't fix the problem, there is a work-around that might.

It takes about 30 minutes to break down the instrument cluster housing to get at the starter switch and wiring. I don't have time right now but, I'll check grounds and connections. That is easy. But, when I get time, this is the road I know I'll end up going down. And I will photo document it for this site.

The BIG question is this: Why is such a simple and essential circuit which has only been built into every car and tractor coming out of Japan for the last 65 years repeatedly deficient on successive makes and models of Kubota tractors? You don't hear about this in cars? Is it that many tractors sit out in weather (mine doesn't)? Is it not on Kubota's radar because it usually works a year or so past warranty before it screws up? This is a BIG deal for Kubota and they need to get the service reps out in the field to man-up and get the data back to the engineers so this problem is resolved once and for all. Paying $20-large for a tractor that needs re-wiring or recurring troubleshooting is not a good marketing strategy.

A tractor that is not reliable is a tractor of no value. Hear that Kubota?