G1800 with D662-E Engine possibly locked up.

[dragfan66]

Got a bit of a weird one here.

I was mowing for about an hour or so a couple of weeks ago.
Suddenly my rpm's went down and I was able to creep it back to a pole barn before it died.
It puffed black smoke for about 1 second on the way.

Anyway, I thought my problem might be the electric fuel lift pump might have quit.
Then I noticed I had no lights on the dash, nothing working electrical.

The main fuse going to the key switch blown so I replaced it. Got all lights back on, fuel pump and glow plug working.
Hit the starter and blew the new fuse immediately.

Hmm..., tried a bigger fuse (hey it's my machine I can do what I want) ,with same result.

Today, 7-27-24, I went and did a little test. I ran a wire from the battery to the start terminal with a fuse and a pushbutton switch. Fuse blew immediately.

Okay then I tried to turn the flywheel with a tire iron and it will not budge in the only direction I could get leverage on.

I will go back to where it is parked in the next day or two and make sure the starter itself is not locked up.

Of course, oil level is good, don't have a pressure gauge on it, just a light.

Any thoughts on what might be going on?

 

[Workerbee]

Id pull the starter off then test it

 

[lugbolt]

wire shorted or starter shorted take the little wire off of the starter and try to turn key to start. If it blows the fuse again, it's a wiring problem. One wire may be shorted directly to ground, pinched, chafed, whatever.

 

[dragfan66]

I still haven't made it back to where the machine is located to do some more testing.
But thanks for the responses so far.

 

[dragfan66]

I finally made it back to where the machine is located this morning.

I touched the starter drive gear as it was semi engaged into the flywheel teeth.
It slid back into disengaged position. The starter turns freely with the pry bar.

I turned the engine with the pry bar and it turned free like you would expect.

I turned on the ignition and the fuel pump runs, glow plugs worked and everything else.
I hit the "start" position and it blew the fuse as before.

I'm thinking the starter solenoid has failed internally.

I guess I will look into buying a new starter and solenoid assembly unless someone might have a little more insight.

 

[lugbolt]

take the smaller wire off of the starter and then put a new fuse in. Try starting the engine with that smaller wire OFF. If it blows the fuse again, you have a short to ground situation somewhere in the wiring. Wiring on these is pretty simple but you have to know at least a little about DC 12v electrical systems.

I have seen a keyswitch short internally too, as well as safety switches and their wirings.

 

[dragfan66]

My problem is definitely not in the wiring circuit. With the start wire disconnected, I can hold the key in the start position all day long. Connect the wire back up and it blows the fuse immediately.

I completely rewired this machine over last winter including doing away with the "confusion" box.

Anyone on here have a source for used or rebuilt starters and such?

I won't buy a China knockoff, sure can't afford a new Kubota starter.

 

[D2Cat]

My problem is definitely not in the wiring circuit. With the start wire disconnected, I can hold the key in the start position all day long. Connect the wire back up and it blows the fuse immediately.

I completely rewired this machine over last winter including doing away with the "confusion" box.

Anyone on here have a source for used or rebuilt starters and such?

I won't buy a China knockoff, sure can't afford a new Kubota starter.

Have your existing starter rebuilt at a local starter rebuilder shop. Shouldn't be a bid deal.

 

[lmichael]

I usually buy DB Electric stuff. Yeah it's China but it's darn good stuff. Been using it for years and they work great. Affordable and recommended

 

[dragfan66]

I looked at DB and all they showed was a dynamo for my machine.

 

[Russell King]

You might want to think about getting a newer style gear reduction starter.

Search online or ask your local rebuild shop.

 

[lmichael]

I am pretty sure it's the same starter as I have. And I bought a DB for mine. It's great

 

[dragfan66]

I do believe mine is direct drive based on pictures I took the other day and comparing to the parts book.

DB has a gear reduction starter for $107.33 with free shipping, going to order one and I hope it will fit.

 

[dragfan66]

Well crap, DB shows it unavailable right now.

 

[rudder35]

Well crap, DB shows it unavailable right now.

I rebuilt the solenoid on a G1800 someone gave me. Looked at Amazon for the kit but not there but did have a DB starter.

https://www.amazon.com/Electrical-SND0289-Tractors-Compact-Tractors-Garden-15471-63011/dp/B00Q8LTCVS/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?crid=FTJLNLOSJ957&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qb3brBPCQv8-qB-n5c2qjaAp80FJl29qYSo9GqQ8iSP1pQknoH1uDDZs7cAWUPgYb--ZzJRiSQHdcb82-R4fgTSOWcwccc_CKuu0d_R45a_6_rqNhDXJubebvbUeIMeKXr1zAKOo7buuIGSgpbBS_AaWwxsZVJatzxYpPMh3msnXtNlDxjFW69hBHfcqtzMqeQgdZHvgoKDwM4vL5C_jOIMAS9qaUoq4khWBueKCqD2E9GIWeubNzpGroXR-2-z30EuGlk61Q47DIq7bfXKQkCuA7TYlk2CbRGR_M-Z5sJE.3d8zw4HYfep4rn0U54iXaAC7qgkosvmxohgpAb1keLk&dib_tag=se&keywords=kubota+g1800+starter&qid=1723651621&s=automotive&sprefix=kubota+g1800+starter%2Cautomotive%2C214&sr=1-12-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

 

[dragfan66]

Thanks rudder, I just ordered that one from Amazon, should get it sometime Sunday.

 

[lmichael]

I rebuilt the solenoid on a G1800 someone gave me. Looked at Amazon for the kit but not there but did have a DB starter.

https://www.amazon.com/Electrical-SND0289-Tractors-Compact-Tractors-Garden-15471-63011/dp/B00Q8LTCVS/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?crid=FTJLNLOSJ957&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qb3brBPCQv8-qB-n5c2qjaAp80FJl29qYSo9GqQ8iSP1pQknoH1uDDZs7cAWUPgYb--ZzJRiSQHdcb82-R4fgTSOWcwccc_CKuu0d_R45a_6_rqNhDXJubebvbUeIMeKXr1zAKOo7buuIGSgpbBS_AaWwxsZVJatzxYpPMh3msnXtNlDxjFW69hBHfcqtzMqeQgdZHvgoKDwM4vL5C_jOIMAS9qaUoq4khWBueKCqD2E9GIWeubNzpGroXR-2-z30EuGlk61Q47DIq7bfXKQkCuA7TYlk2CbRGR_M-Z5sJE.3d8zw4HYfep4rn0U54iXaAC7qgkosvmxohgpAb1keLk&dib_tag=se&keywords=kubota+g1800+starter&qid=1723651621&s=automotive&sprefix=kubota+g1800+starter%2Cautomotive%2C214&sr=1-12-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

Oh, that is very different from the one on my G2160. So my bad thinking it was the same

 

[lugbolt]

I'm guessing you've got one of the old (1 or 2 year only) "big" starters?

Those are hard to find. VERY hard to find.

I normally used a PMGR starter to replace those big heavy things anyway. They start better, use less juice.

 

[dragfan66]

I thought I would post an update on my starter problem.

I've had the new starter for months, but didn't take the time to install it until yesterday.
Starter replaced in five minutes, it is working good and solved the problem.

I disassembled the original starter this morning to see what was wrong with it.
Holy moly, I've never seen a starter that burned up in my 68 years on this planet.
No idea if it was original or had been replaced at some time in the past.

Maybe my experience will help someone else out.

 

[lugbolt]

if it was that burnt, it makes me wonder if it was "stuck" in the engaged position (juice applied to the solenoid) for some reason?

You did rewire it, correct?

The combination box does more than confuse people. But that's all I'm gonna say about it.