Bx2380 started on its own

[Matt Ellerbee]

Are Bx’s stop solenoid in the pump or on top?

If on top all you have to do to start, is jump the spade connector on starter to power, it will run. That bypasses every safety there is. Just tried it on a F3680, didn’t run but a second as it’s stop solenoid is in the injection pump.
Just jump this and it will start.

 

[Henro]

It seems to me that several things need to happen for the scenario described to happen.

First, the starter needs to turn and the fuel solenoid needs to be activated.

Then once the engine starts the starter needs to be disengaged. Otherwise I imagine starter issues would result. But the fuel cutoff solenoid still needs to remain in the run position.

So what are the chances that a short in the wiring would cause the starter to turn, then the starter to disengage after the tractor started, and the fuel cutoff solenoid to still remain in the normal operating position? With the
key switch in the off position?

Not saying it is impossible, but hard to imagine, even with a defective control module. And repeating a second time as well?

What is missing here? Usually not a skeptic but this time I seem to be.

I wonder if the tractor stayed running after the key was removed and the OP just did not notice…

My conclusion would be a defective switch that did not turn the tractor off after the key was removed. Not sure that is even worth my 2 cents though…

 

[GreensvilleJay]

If the BX2380 has the same wiring as my BX23S, you can start it standing next to it... safety switches,etc. are NOT needed.
Not sure IF the 'fuel pump' has to have power... perhaps the INJ pump will 'suck' fuel ?

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

If the BX2380 has the same wiring as my BX23S, you can start it standing next to it... safety switches,etc. are NOT needed.
Not sure IF the 'fuel pump' has to have power... perhaps the INJ pump will 'suck' fuel ?

Do BX’s have a electric fuel pump? I honestly don’t know?

If the stop solenoid is on top of the injection pump like our grasshoppers with D902 or 905’s, they are set to run without power, 12v pulls the plunger killing the engine, it resets back to run after 5 seconds or so.

 

[RCW]

Jay and Matt - I’m betting the BX2380 is the same as my BX2360.

You do not need to be in the seat to start it as long as other safety switches are satisfied. I almost never start mine in the seat.

It has an electric lift pump.

The stop solenoid resets to run position 5 or so seconds after shut down.

I’m not smart enough to diagnose the odd unattended start.

I think I would leave the PTO in gear until it’s diagnosed. Obviously, not a PTO that has an implement hooked to it. That should prevent cranking….I think….unless there’s some really squirrelly things going on.

 

[xrocketengineer]

 

[dlsmith]

To borrow a term, apparently a ride on the trailer gets her motor going.

 

[OrangeKrush]

It seems to me that several things need to happen for the scenario described to happen.

First, the starter needs to turn and the fuel solenoid needs to be activated.

Then once the engine starts the starter needs to be disengaged. Otherwise I imagine starter issues would result. But the fuel cutoff solenoid still needs to remain in the run position.

So what are the chances that a short in the wiring would cause the starter to turn, then the starter to disengage after the tractor started, and the fuel cutoff solenoid to still remain in the normal operating position? With the
key switch in the off position?

Not saying it is impossible, but hard to imagine, even with a defective control module. And repeating a second time as well?

What is missing here? Usually not a skeptic but this time I seem to be.

I wonder if the tractor stayed running after the key was removed and the OP just did not notice…

My conclusion would be a defective switch that did not turn the tractor off after the key was removed. Not sure that is even worth my 2 cents though…

Turning the key off and not notice the tractor still running would be pretty bizarre in its self. Especially sitting on a trailer!

 

[whitetiger]

The fuel shut-off solenoids' default position is in the run position, it only uses power for 5 to 8 seconds to shut off the engine.
If the fuel tank is at or near full, the engine will run at low RPMs without the electric fuel lift pump running.
A rubbed or chewed wire or failed key switch could easily allow power to the solenoid exciter wire for a second or two which could easily crank and start the engine.

 

[m-m-m-myKubota]

A rubbed or chewed wire or failed key switch could easily allow power to the solenoid exciter wire for a second or two which could easily crank and start the engine.

Don't know nothin about the BX, but I've spent several thousands of dollars on chewed wires on vehicles in the last couple of years, and that's what I didn't fix myself.

*Wife's 2021 Jeep - chewed fuel rail (glad I was with her when she went to use it!)
*Son's car - gave up after the second round of wires chewed behind/around firewall requiring engine removal. First time I soldered every connection back together - about 6 connectors.
*My pickup - had to remove intake to solder wires back on and I wish I could post the video of the walnut husks flying out the defrost vents after they took up residence.
*My Car - three or four times I've had to rewire chewed wiring.
* 4 wheeler - chewed the wires under the plastics on front.

 

[Henro]

The fuel shut-off solenoids' default position is in the run position, it only uses power for 5 to 8 seconds to shut off the engine.
If the fuel tank is at or near full, the engine will run at low RPMs without the electric fuel lift pump running.
A rubbed or chewed wire or failed key switch could easily allow power to the solenoid exciter wire for a second or two which could easily crank and start the engine.

Your knowledge of the specifics of the OP's tractor may just have explained how the situation could have happened.

On my BX the solenoid works differently, in that it must be powered to let the engine run. Default position is fuel shut off. My thought process used my BX as the basis, which was obviously not a good basis for understanding the OP's situation.

I guess the OP is lucky the voltage did not stay on the starter solenoid permanently...if it had he might have been asking where to get the starter repaired.

 

[OrangeKrush]

Your knowledge of the specifics of the OP's tractor may just have explained how the situation could have happened.

On my BX the solenoid works differently, in that it must be powered to let the engine run. Default position is fuel shut off. My thought process used my BX as the basis, which was obviously not a good basis for understanding the OP's situation.

This is how I would have expected it to be set up but I'm just a auto shade tree mechanic.

and hey it's a BX so no matter how old it is you never know.. such a solid layout it probably hasn't changed that much!

 

[armylifer]

I witnessed an Army 2 1/2 ton truck start spontaneously while sitting in the sun. The engine started because of heat and the fact that the fuel shut off lever was not pulled out. I also heard of a CAT bulldozer starting spontaneously under similar conditions. So it is conceivable to my thinking that certain conditions could have caused the OP's engine to start even without the starter engaging. We can only speculate what conditions may have caused a spontaneous start on the OP's tractor, but I know that it is possible for diesel engines to mysteriously start on their own.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I had a quik peek at the WSM for the BX23S...
if you blow the OPC fuse (15A ?), you can NOT shut the engine off by turning the key to off ! I assume you have to manually push/pull ? the stop solenoid lever.

Man,some of the wording is very hard to follow.....

This is opposite to the 'antidieselling' solenoids on all riders.......

 

[m-m-m-myKubota]

Maybe it just Loves going for rides and can't contain it's enthusiasm... like my dogs

 

[SarasotaMan]

The panel didn't fall off of it. The instrument panel was showing nothing as in no rpm, fuel, or temp. The key was in the off position. I'm not the type of person to make this up. I have better stuff to do. I don't know if there is a short in the wire or something else. The lease I'm referring to is a hunting lease, deer camp.

I have a new BX23s doing the same thing with only 20 run hours. It would not shut off then spontaneously restart after I got it shut down. No key in ignition, and instrument panel blank. It is being picked up tomorrow by dealer to take to shop for a diagnosis. Some electrical short I am guessing. Before the latest event the starter motor burned up while the engine was running. I will provide more details when I hear how the repair goes. Dealer quickly replaced starter, I have no issues with the local dealer.

 

[torch]

How fast were you going? Maybe the wind spun the fan. It is a diesel. Theoretically all it needs to start on a warm day is something to turn it over. No solenoid, starter, safety switches et. al. required.

 

[Crooked loader]

I have a new BX23s doing the same thing with only 20 run hours. It would not shut off then spontaneously restart after I got it shut down. No key in ignition, and instrument panel blank. It is being picked up tomorrow by dealer to take to shop for a diagnosis. Some electrical short I am guessing. Before the latest event the starter motor burned up while the engine was running. I will provide more details when I hear how the repair goes. Dealer quickly replaced starter, I have no issues with the local dealer.

It was a bad solenoid that was causing mine to Start up. When I brought it in it was running when I got there.

 

[GrizBota]

How fast were you going? Maybe the wind spun the fan. It is a diesel. Theoretically all it needs to start on a warm day is something to turn it over.
No solenoid, starter, safety switches et. al. required.

Wouldn’t that be something? I’d think all kinds of spontaneous ignition would be occurring on diesel engines if this was possible at subsonic speeds (I mean freeway speeds).

I believe the fan in the BX is on the “wrong” end of the engine (sucking air from the operator’s side) for physics to be in favor of this hypothesis. Maybe the engine was running backwards? Or the tractor was towed nose to the rear.

The OP was trailering the tractor in 2022, whereas the recent post today was presumably while the operator was attempting to shut the engine off. I’d guess it was parked at the time.

 

[SarasotaMan]

It was a bad solenoid that was causing mine to Start up. When I brought it in it was running when I got there.

Full story.
It seems to have been an electrical short in the ignition switch, plus two different solenoids were bad, it took three service calls. Not happy about Kubota quality.

I purchased my BX23s new several months ago, it has about 20 hours use as of 2 days ago. I just had the starter motor replaced as it burned up while operating. Smoke was pouring out from under the engine cover. I shut down and opened the engine cover and the smoke was pouring out of the hole where a rubber plug used to be. Smelled like electrical fire. It was still under warranty the dealer promptly replaced the starter on site, no complaints with dealer.

Prior to the incident It started to occasionally make a very loud vibrating noise that I thought may have been the exhaust manifold guard but now I think it may have been starter engaging while running. My first use of the BX after replacement the noise started again, so I turned off the ignition but the engine continues to roughly run (dieseling) until I turned back on at ignition and off again, it stopped. As I climbed off the BX it spontaneously started running, ignition was in off position. I checked the starter motor and it was very hot. I drove the BX a short distance back to storage (not making noise now) shut it down and left. I was inside for several hours and when I came out my back door I heard an engine running! Sure, enough the BX has spontaneously started and was idling. There was not even a key in the ignition. I had to open the engine cover and shut off the BX by pushing the solenoid. I disconnected the battery to prevent a restart.

Service man came out this morning, battery reattached and main 50 amp fuse was out. Replaced fuse everything had power. Started engine and loud noise resumed so it was promptly shut down by depressing solenoid, as the ignition switch did not work. Mechanic said there was a short in the switch causing the starter to continue to try to engage the flywheel making the noise. He will be bringing out a new starter switch and hopefully all will be good to go. Kind of sucks the switch went band on a brand new BX23s with only 20 light duty operational hours.