Ive got a B2400 that is new to me. I used it all day yesterday with no issues. Today I went to start it and I get nothing. The lights on the dash all come on with the first and second key turn then after the glow plug light goes off and I turn it further i get nothing. No clicking or turning over. It’s in neutral, the back and mid PTO are off. I thought maybe it was the battery but a jump didn’t help. Temps have been +45 so it’s not been very cold yet.
B2400 not starting - no clicking or crank when key turned
- Thread starter tdobbertin
- Start date
Kubota Newbie
Active member
Equipment
M4500, New Idea Cut-Ditioner, JD 14T Baler, IH "Plow Chief" plows, Oliver Rake
Check your grounds at the battery and where the main ground cable bolts to the chassis. Most common problem for electrical issues after the battery (which by the way can have adequate voltage to light up idiot lights and etc but not enough to energize the starter solenoid).
If the ground is tight try jumping it.
If the ground is tight try jumping it.
Russell King
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Try to get power from the battery positive post to the small terminal on the solenoid. That is usually a blade type terminal.
If you do that the starter should crank the engine. But the engine should not start unless you have the key turned to the run position.
If you try any of this you should be very careful since the tractor could run over you if it started and was in gear. I would recommend having someone else sitting in the seat with their foot on the brake and hand on the key to turn it off if needed.
If it cranks then you know the problem is not the starter or battery. You could then try to figure out if the tractor has safety switches and which ones might not be working.
If you do that the starter should crank the engine. But the engine should not start unless you have the key turned to the run position.
If you try any of this you should be very careful since the tractor could run over you if it started and was in gear. I would recommend having someone else sitting in the seat with their foot on the brake and hand on the key to turn it off if needed.
If it cranks then you know the problem is not the starter or battery. You could then try to figure out if the tractor has safety switches and which ones might not be working.
Generally, if there is a resistance problem with the start permissive circuit, a clicking sound may be heard, but the starter will not turn.
If you hear no clicking sound, that doesn't mean there is no problem with the permissive circuit. For example, a wire could have been ripped loose last time you used the tractor, since that would not be apparent until you shut down and wanted to restart.
You can eliminate the start permissive circuit, by taking a voltage measurement at the starter solenoid terminal when you try to start the tractor. Do you see 12 volts or not. IF not, you need to determine why not.
You can also carefully, with the tractor in neutral, and the brake set, try jumping from the starter positive lug to the starter solenoid terminal, and see if the engine cranks over. If it does, you have proven that the power circuit is good, between the battery and the starter motor.
You need to do some tests, or make some measurements, to focus more directly on where the problem might be.
If you hear no clicking sound, that doesn't mean there is no problem with the permissive circuit. For example, a wire could have been ripped loose last time you used the tractor, since that would not be apparent until you shut down and wanted to restart.
You can eliminate the start permissive circuit, by taking a voltage measurement at the starter solenoid terminal when you try to start the tractor. Do you see 12 volts or not. IF not, you need to determine why not.
You can also carefully, with the tractor in neutral, and the brake set, try jumping from the starter positive lug to the starter solenoid terminal, and see if the engine cranks over. If it does, you have proven that the power circuit is good, between the battery and the starter motor.
You need to do some tests, or make some measurements, to focus more directly on where the problem might be.
Thanks. I Checked the ground and it’s good, the positive side of the battery was loose but after tightening and jumping it’s still not trying to start after a turn of the key. Going to try the next few suggestions.
What would that clicking sound be?
His tractor is doing the same thing mine does if I don't push the clutch pedal all the way down or have my foot on the HST pedal a little too heavy.
Makes me wonder how many different ways Kubota wired these things.
Good trouble shooting steps BTW
Have you tried anything that came up when you searched this form for no start posts? Do you own and know how to use a multimeter? If the answer is no you best buy one because you'll need it if you plan to keep this tractor. Let us know what you have done in the way of troubleshooting and we can pick it up from there rather than plowing same ground again.
I ended up looking for every safety switch I could find and one by the seat was dislodged and not in contact with whatever pressed it in. I put it back in place and the tractor fired up. Tomorrow I’ll look further to see which one it was but thanks for the suggestions.
The clicking sound would be the starter solenoid, trying to work normally, but not having enough input power to actually do its job. But it does move slightly and make a clicking sound.
This was a common issue with the earlier BX tractors like I have, and some other tractors as well. The solution was to install a relay between the permissive circuit contacts and the starter motor solenoid. The permissive circuit energizes the relay, and the relay contacts apply 12 V directly to the starter motor solenoid terminal.