L3901 won’t start, clicks once

OXX

New member

Equipment
L3901
Nov 16, 2024
1
0
1
Mississippi
L 3901 has been down for a couple months. I just haven’t had time to get to it. It was last used mowing and started struggling while driving it. Made it to a safe enough spot to park it. Since then, it will not attempt to crank. Dashboard comes on, glow plug buzzes, but when turning the key, I get a single click. Nothing more. Have wiggle tested all of the normal safety switches, but have not yet taken anything apart or done any multimeter testing. Suggestions on most likely culprit? Thanks.
 

Vlach7

Well-known member

Equipment
L47 305DT JD500C
Dec 16, 2021
345
251
63
Frazier Park Ca
History of struggling, did it overheat? How are the fluid levels, how do they look? Are you on top of maintenance? Can you charge and load test your battery? How many hours and any significant history?
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,725
4,463
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
L 3901 has been down for a couple months. I just haven’t had time to get to it. It was last used mowing and started struggling while driving it. Made it to a safe enough spot to park it. Since then, it will not attempt to crank. Dashboard comes on, glow plug buzzes, but when turning the key, I get a single click. Nothing more. Have wiggle tested all of the normal safety switches, but have not yet taken anything apart or done any multimeter testing. Suggestions on most likely culprit? Thanks.
First thing to check on a no crank problem is always battery.

Dan
 

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,
Apr 2, 2019
11,395
4,896
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
top three causes...
bad battery, remove properly recharge or replace
bad primary battery cables, ANY corrosion, replace with new ones
bad starter solenoid, bypass to test/confirm/deny.