BX2380 Won't Start

[Ton]

So there I was... Had been running great for 3-4 hours today moving firewood around and then clearing branches with the pallet forks. I went to put another load of branches on the forks. Pulled up to the pile, throttle set to idle, brake set, no PTO anything, turned it off and got off. Loaded up the forks. Got back on, turned the key and I saw a small arc flash in the dash cluster, then nothing. Now if I try the ignition there are no lights on the dash, no fuel pump clicks, and no start.

Checked all the fuses with a meter and they are all fine. Checked every connector and harness I can see. Nothing.

Any ideas??

 

[Bearcatrp]

Check your battery connection. Also, insure nothing is in-gauged (safety crap).

 

[RCW]

First thing I check is the PTO lever. I hit it 100 times/year getting off and the tractor won't start.

Only takes 1/4"......

It's something simple.

 

[Russell King]

If you saw sparking around the dash and no fuse is blown in the fuse box, it is possible that the main fuse (40 or 50 amp) is blown. That would block power from the battery to most electrical circuits. Have you checked it?

I imagine there is something significantly wrong with the dash panel and there is a dead short there in the dash.

I would try to replace the main fuse if it is blown using a breaker instead of a fuse if you can find a replacement breaker. I would assume that it will trip (blow) immediately is why I recommend the breaker.

Then remove the dash panel out of the electrical circuit by unplugging it and then see what happens if you reset the breaker (replace the fuse). Does it trip or stay on? If it trips then the dash may not be the problem. If it stays on you can try to start it and get it to where you want to work on it (garage?)

Good luck

 

[Ton]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Battery is connected properly and there is no PTO engagement. I cycled the PTO lever several times to be sure nothing wonky with that.

I did check the 50A main fuse and it is fine. I agree with Russel King that it may be something wrong with the dash panel due to the brief arcing seen right before the failure. Also curious if the failure could be the ignition assembly itself. Arcing from that assembly would likely be visible through the dash cluster.

Still under warranty so I may call the dealership to see what they can do. Only question is how to get it there... Won't be fun to tow it out from where it is and winch it into a trailer.

 

[RCW]

My apologies I honestly missed the “arc flash” in the dash.

Gonna have to dig a little more on that one.

It’s not a displaced safety switch if I were to guess.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

dash cluster aka 'meter' has a 5 amp fuse, so main50 amp slow blow should not have blown....
turn key on to 'preheat'. does the glow plug light come on ? if not 50a fuse is gone.
big question is WHY ?

 

[Ton]

Just an update to close this out and info for anyone else with a similar issue. This was resolved in a day by my local dealer. They sent someone to my property to pick it up and diagnose the problem. Turned out the ground strap to the frame had come undone and this is what caused the complete loss of electrical power to the ignition system. What I thought was an electrical arc seen in the dash cluster was likely just a split second of the dash cluster lighting up as the failure occurred right as I turned the ignition.

I'm about 27 months into my ownership of this machine so that issue was technically out of warranty. But the dealership (Bayside Kubota in MD) didn't charge me a dime for anything, including the pickup and dropoff. So big thanks to them!

This is why I love Kubota! And they will certainly be getting more of business.

And thanks to those here who offered advice and support.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I pay attention to all BX posts as all of the BX series are pretty much the same except the engine and accessories. Glad you got it figured out. Dam good dealer.

 

[DustyRusty]

Grounds seem to be quite problematic for some owners. I owned my BX22 for over 16 years, replaced the battery once, and never had a grounding problem. The tractor sat outside most of the time. Battery connections are one of the problem issues of the BX, especially the battery cables. Both are black and it is easy to get them mixed up. I put red electrical tape on my positive battery cable when I got my new BX23S.