Hello everyone. I have a 1983 L235 that won’t start. Everything seemed to be working fine until a few weeks ago. It was pretty cold around here (10-20F) and it didn’t want to start. After cranking away for a bit, it seemed the battery was having trouble getting things going. I decided to try and jump it with a portable battery charger. After hooking things up, and letting it set for a while I preheated the glow plugs and attempted to start it. One loud click and then nothing. Indicator lights, headlights, glow plugs, nothing. I tested the battery and it appeared to be fine. Went back later and indicator lights and such were working again. Tried starting procedure again with same result. Sorry for the long saga…any thoughts??
L235 Electrical Problem?
- Thread starter pvaleri
- Start date
What do both ends of your both your battery cables look like.
If you have ends looking like the above, if you are handy doing voltage drop tests using a multi meter fine but if not just buy new cables.
Pay careful attention to where the ground cable attaches to the engine or frame. These surfaces need to be shiny clean.
The starter relies on good contact with the engine block for its electrical ground path. You have two choices: remove the starter and clean the mating surfaces or buy a battery cable with eyes on each end.
Run this cable from where the ground cable attaches to a starter mounting bolt.
When you have the noise and sudden loss of electricity it often means a poor electrical power connection which has been evaporated by the high starting current and as it cools down it re-establishes some current flow but it cannot tolerate high starting currents.
Dave
If you have ends looking like the above, if you are handy doing voltage drop tests using a multi meter fine but if not just buy new cables.
Pay careful attention to where the ground cable attaches to the engine or frame. These surfaces need to be shiny clean.
The starter relies on good contact with the engine block for its electrical ground path. You have two choices: remove the starter and clean the mating surfaces or buy a battery cable with eyes on each end.
Run this cable from where the ground cable attaches to a starter mounting bolt.
When you have the noise and sudden loss of electricity it often means a poor electrical power connection which has been evaporated by the high starting current and as it cools down it re-establishes some current flow but it cannot tolerate high starting currents.
Dave
Here are pictures of positive battery terminal, negative battery terminal, ground location on frame, and connections to starter.
are you suggesting running a separate ground wire from the starter across to where the negative battery cable grounds to the frame?
are you suggesting running a separate ground wire from the starter across to where the negative battery cable grounds to the frame?
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
How long did you crank the tractor at one time? If you cranked it for more than a couple minutes then you may have damaged the starter and needs to be replaced.
You can take it off and to a repair shop for testing or replacement starter.
Were you using the decompression knob when cranking? That would help get it started.
You can take it off and to a repair shop for testing or replacement starter.
Were you using the decompression knob when cranking? That would help get it started.
Probably cranked on it for 2-3 minutes before it gave up. Decompression knob has been stuck since I inherited the tractor 3 years ago…
Any way to check the starter myself without removing it?
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
1st step, remove clean repace that ground connection on the frame
2nd, pop caps off battery and be sure correct level of acid in the battery. If you add ANY water, be sur eto charge the battery(preferably in a warm room, overnight)
3rd, remove,clean, reinstall the +12 cable at the starter
4th... try to start the tractor, report back, we'll scratch our heads again...
2nd, pop caps off battery and be sure correct level of acid in the battery. If you add ANY water, be sur eto charge the battery(preferably in a warm room, overnight)
3rd, remove,clean, reinstall the +12 cable at the starter
4th... try to start the tractor, report back, we'll scratch our heads again...
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
If you can get a good battery and just connect directly to the starter with jumper cables then see if it cranks.
I would suggest just replace the cables and clean the connections at cables and at starter (all connections at starter) and see how it goes
I would suggest just replace the cables and clean the connections at cables and at starter (all connections at starter) and see how it goes
I am betting on the ground cable to frame connection!
Steel is rusty, washer is rusty.......
Yes I am suggesting a second cable being run as you describe to make certain the battery is getting all the amps it needs
Dave
Steel is rusty, washer is rusty.......
Yes I am suggesting a second cable being run as you describe to make certain the battery is getting all the amps it needs
Dave
