BX1500 won’t start

[Robobike]

Last week I went to start the 2004 BX1500 and it cranked as normal and started to fire up and then just quit. I tried again, turned the key and the normal fuel pump clicking happened, but when is got to the glow plug position the glow light did not illuminate and the other lights seemed to dim. I turned the key back to the off position and a very staring buzzing came from a relay under the dash and continued for about 5 seconds then stopped.

I had the battery thermals cleaned and the battery load tested and it’s fine. I ran a jump wire from the battery positive to the spade connection on the starter solenoid and got no reaction from the starter. I also tested for voltage on the spade wire while sitting on the seat and turning the key and only saw a voltage of about 1.5V.

I suspect there is a battery connection issue but not sure where to start looking. I’m somewhat new to Kubota.

Thanks, Rob

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Start by removing and cleaning the Negative connection at the tractor side of the cable.

 

[armylifer]

How did you load test the battery? It really sounds like the battery is bad. How old is the battery? Did you try jump starting it? If it starts by jump starting it, the battery is the problem.

 

[Robobike]

Thanks. I did clean the terminals when I pulled battery for testing. Load test was done at my local parts store. I will try to jump it tomorrow. Rob

 

[Robobike]

Battery is a 2013 but has been on a tender most of its life. I will also clean the negative battery cable at the tractor.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Cables can also be bad. After you clean the negative connection, do a load test of your own. Put a meter on the starter and see what your voltage looks like when you try to crank it. You might need a helper to turn the key while you watch your meter. Let us know what you find out.

 

[armylifer]

Battery is a 2013 but has been on a tender most of its life. I will also clean the negative battery cable at the tractor.

You state that the battery is a 2013. That battery has lived its full life. I don't care what a load test at a parts store shows. I am certain that you will find that the battery is done.

 

[Sawdust&Shavings]

You state that the battery is a 2013. That battery has lived its full life. I don't care what a load test at a parts store shows. I am certain that you will find that the battery is done.

My original BX1870 battery lasted 13 years too…much longer than I thought it would…I’m quite pleased with the life I got out of that DEKA 426RMF battery.

 

[armylifer]

My original BX1870 battery lasted 13 years too…much longer than I thought it would…I’m quite pleased with the life I got out of that DEKA 426RMF battery.

I got similar life out of my original battery too. When I replaced it last year I could still start the tractor if I was using it daily. However, the battery did not have enough power to start the tractor if it sat for more than a day. The voltage was there but the amperage was not. The lights would still come on and the fuel pump still clicked but the battery was just not strong enough to crank the engine. I recognize the symptom, and when he said the battery was a 2013, that clinched it in my mind.

 

[Robobike]

Thanks so much for the input. Very much appreciated. I jumped the tractor with another battery and the glow light came on but still not enough power to turn the engine over. I then jumped it with my F250 and it now turns over a couple of times before the starter solenoid starts clicking. I’ll test the cables as Mark_BX25D suggested. I did take the old battery to a different parts store and they confirmed the 2013 battery was shot.

More to follow.

 

[JimDeL]

...I’ll test the cables...
More to follow.

As was previously suggested - Check the chassis/engine block connection end of the ground cable, and if there's a frame-to-engine cable, check that too.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I did take the old battery to a different parts store and they confirmed the 2013 battery was shot.
More to follow.

Dead battery checked all the boxes!

 

[Robobike]

Okay. More details. I’ll have to go to our local Kobota dealer to get an appropriate replacement battery. That will be tomorrow.

In the mean time with the tractor getting a jump from the F250, I get a voltage reading at the starter of 14.2v with the key off. Key position one with the fuel and battery dash lights on, Voltage stays the same. Next position the glow light on the voltage drops to 12.5v. Starting position the engine turns over a couple of times and the voltage drops to 1.5v then the starter solenoid starts clicking and the voltage goes below 1.0v.

I did replace the starter two years ago.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Robobike]

New Battery installed and the tractor is up a running. I guessing jumping it did not provide enough Amps to turn it over enough to fire. The new battery (Kubota) has a higher output than the old one according to the label so the tractor really jumps to attention. Running like a champ. The benefit of getting an inaccurate load test was I cleaned up all the grounding contact points. Thanks for your help guys. Really appreciate your help.

Rob