L3130 blinking dash lights

pete carter

New member

Equipment
L3130
Oct 1, 2023
2
1
3
Virginia
L3130 randomly does this and then starts but this time keeps doing it. When keyin acc the lights blink on and off, sometimes they don't until turn to start. Battery shows 12vdc, battery drops to 6_8_10_6 volts during blinking. Both terminals and tractor frame ground cleaned. Stops blinking when 7.5 alt Amp pulled. But blinking with starter and alt unwired. Could be weak battery with no cranking amps but anyone have any other ideas? Acts like a ground short
 

Flintknapper

Well-known member
Premium Member

Equipment
L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
2,216
113
Deep East Texas
IF you've positively eliminated the possibility of poor grounds (at battery, frame and elsewhere), then I would suspect a short to ground (hot wire to ground someplace).

Also if the battery is old you might consider replacing it....as it may have an internal break on either post causing an intermittent problem. Simply swapping it out with a known to be good battery would be a good test for that (could save you a lot of time chasing down issues with wiring).

Good luck. Hate electrical problems.
 
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pete carter

New member

Equipment
L3130
Oct 1, 2023
2
1
3
Virginia
IF you've positively eliminated the possibility of poor grounds (at battery, frame and elsewhere), then I would suspect a short to ground (hot wire to ground someplace).

Also if the battery is old you might consider replacing it....as it may have an internal break on either post causing an intermittent problem. Simply swapping it out with a known to be good battery would be a good test for that (could save you a lot of time chasing down issues with wiring).

Good luck. Hate electrical problems.
Battery fixed issue
 
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Flintknapper

Well-known member
Premium Member

Equipment
L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
2,216
113
Deep East Texas
Battery fixed issue
Good deal, thank you for the follow up.

Might be helpful to someone else down the line.

You certainly started looking in the right places.

But once it was determined that the issue was not with a 'ground' connection/contact...then I like to check the battery next.

On a tractor (with diesel engine and attendant vibrations from use) it is easy for a cell to become damaged or one of the posts to break internally. Of course.....an old battery might not hold a charge either.

Anyway, glad you found the problem. (y)