B2400 starting issues

[ryann81]

B2400 named Betsy sometimes starts as she should, other times Betsy cranks over but refuses to start. I will try until battery is dead recharge and try and try again. Once she starts she runs the way expected and has plenty of power.

I believe it's a fuel issue as while cranking there is no smoke until she finally decides to fire. I have replaced the fuel solenoid and is acting the same. Fuel flows freely to pump. Could it possibly be a pin hold in a fuel line allowing air into system? Not seeing any leaks? After disconnected and reconnecting fuel to fuel pump she started perfectly 3 times then went back to not starting.

I should add that she did this in the past then after months of not starting well she randomly started for almost a year with very little issues Since I don't have any idea what "fixed" it the first time I can't do it again!

Would love any help as winter is coming and I need her to be reliable.

 

[jaxs]

Well your first mistake was giving the tractor a woman's name. Had you called it Bowser, Rambo or such your swearing and cussing would be taken in stride but you know as well as I do that a woman will shut down when that starts. You have two choices,buy another tractor or suck it up and talk sweet to this one when she has a headache.

As you are speaking kind and softly to her either set a mirror to observe fuel solenoid or have your assistant watch it to make sure it moves as key and starter are cycled. Report back whether it works or not. If it works,maybe some of these guys will change their ways when their tractor misbehaves. In the event it doesn't work we have members here that have clever ways of finding out if she's sick and needs treatment or just stubborn and deserves a thrashing.

 

[ryann81]

Well your first mistake was giving the tractor a woman's name. Had you called it Bowser, Rambo or such your swearing and cussing would be taken in stride but you know as well as I do that a woman will shut down when that starts. You have two choices,buy another tractor or suck it up and talk sweet to this one when she has a headache.

As you are speaking kind and softly to her either set a mirror to observe fuel solenoid or have your assistant watch it to make sure it moves as key and starter are cycled. Report back whether it works or not. If it works,maybe some of these guys will change their ways when their tractor misbehaves. In the event it doesn't work we have members here that have clever ways of finding out if she's sick and needs treatment or just stubborn and deserves a thrashing.

Betsy was named by my uncle the first time he came to my little farm to see her. He asked if he could get on and before I knew it he widened up an area by my barn by digging into the bank. When he was done he told me Betsy was a good girl and we've called her Betsy ever since.

I have tried sweet talking, swearing, occasionally pleading. She always eventually starts but i cannot move my hay without her so if she is being stubborn it's very difficult to feed the animals till she that something clicks and she starts.

The small rod on the fuel solenoid is internal. I cannot see it when I turn the key because it's inside the tractor.

 

[jaxs]

After looking at the solenoid for your tractor I can see that rod isn't visible. Have you temporarily attached old solenoid to harness to see if power reaches it when cycling key? Is it possible that filter is clogged? Have you checked for fuel flow at injection pump inlet? I would suspect the relay interment working but that can be checked with above hack. You might consider down loading wiring diagram then using multimeter to find problem.

 

[ryann81]

After looking at the solenoid for your tractor I can see that rod isn't visible. Have you temporarily attached old solenoid to harness to see if power reaches it when cycling key? Is it possible that filter is clogged? Have you checked for fuel flow at injection pump inlet? I would suspect the relay interment working but that can be checked with above hack. You might consider down loading wiring diagram then using multimeter to find problem.

Thank you will try the original solenoid and I do have a new ignition switch that I will put in tomorrow in case it's not sending correct voltage to solenoid. Will update after I give that a try

 

[ryann81]

Ok so solenoid rod is not retracting. I did change ignition switch and it's still not retracting any ideas how I can get this damn solenoid to open so I have my tractor back?

 

[Ktrim]

Ok so solenoid rod is not retracting. I did change ignition switch and it's still not retracting any ideas how I can get this damn solenoid to open so I have my tractor back?

Replacement

 

[ryann81]

Replacement

The solenoid and ignition switch have been replaced. What are you suggesting i replace? Replacing the tractor is definitely not in my budget.

 

[jaxs]

You will need a wiring diagram and multimeter to find the problem. If you insist on changing parts until it's fixed I'd suggest relay but check for blown fuse(s) first.

 

[ryann81]

I replaced the fuel shut off solenoid and ignition switch because i had purchased last year when she was having this same issue. It acted up several months and then came out of it was great for almost a year and then started up again. Since I had the parts on hand I went ahead and changed them before it got colder.

That's what's so weird it's intermittent and once she fires she's great. No issue with power, no sputtering, no excessive smoking, or stalling.

I don't understand wiring very well but will get a multimeter and start checking voltage against info in maintenance manual

 

[jaxs]

Additional information you supplied in post #10 points to loose connection. A bad solenoid or relay often works intermittently but seldom 6 months intermittent then six months consistent. Could be - as well as + but loose. First place to look is where wires connect to relay. If you can hear solenoid when it ingages/disegages, I would work my way from solenoid back moving wires and connectors. It isn't unusual for wires to break inside insulation where crimped for terminals. You can't see it so that's why moving wires can often detect hidden damage. For this type troubleshooting I have leads with alligator clips on one of those annoying buzzers salvaged from a car. Much better than test light because you don't need an assistant.
I don't have a manual for your tractor nor am I familiar with how it's wired.

 

[Ktrim]

The solenoid and ignition switch have been replaced. What are you suggesting i replace? Replacing the tractor is definitely not in my budget.

Sorry I didn't catch where you said you changed solenoid. That's what I was talking about. Not whole tractor. Lol