We have an L3901 with about 450hrs. When tractor running, if motor 'bogs down' and shuts off (i.e. when binding bush hog blade etc.), we have to wait for about 30 minutes for tractor to restart. It's like a bad starter. Has brand new battery and has responded to jump start. Service guys here befuddled. Any expert thoughts?
L3901 Won't Start
- Thread starter ZL3901K
- Start date
If you recently replaced the battery, you might check the terminal connections. Also make sure the ground cable connection at the frame is clean and corrosion free. You might also have gotten a bad battery. That happens frequently. Bad batteries and connections can cause all sorts of strange occurrences.
You have answered your own question, if it jump starts, then battery or battery connections are the problem.
As mentioned previously, clean ALL connections and lugs, especially battery post terminals, use a terminal reamer to remove any clear, hard to see corrosion film. Load test new battery with carbon pile load tester.
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ZL3901K,
Did you replace the battery before or after you started to have the problems?
Hello DanTheMan, and welcome to the forum!
It is confusing to me but one of the most overlooked steps in battery repair/maintenance/replacement is the clamp(s). Both clamp screws should be removed from their respective clamp, thoroughly cleaned and lubed, or replaced, and then address the clamp. Inspect them both to assure they are not broken because a properly tightened bolt puts a lot of strain on the weak spot of the clamp. If you spot a break anywhere, toss the cable. Next, and very important, use a keyhole or other saw or sturdy knife to cut and/or clean the gap where the bolt feeds through the clamp. Don't just spread the gap, but actually remove some material which serves no purpose and frequently prevents the clamp from closing to make a solid post-to-clamp connection. One last step that I figured out a looong time ago is to cut a 1/2" piece of 5/8" soft copper pipe, split it, pry it open a little so that it fits tightly on the battery posts then put my clamps on. Whew, I'm exhausted. LOL
It is sort of hard to tell from reading your post exactly what is going on. If the tractor starts and runs most of the time, then the battery and/or starter is probably not the issue.
When/if it won't start back up what exactly does it do? Does the engine turn over but not start. Are there clicking noises? Regardless of whether or not it starts, does the starter turn the engine over immediately after stalling or otherwise shutting down, intentionally or not, or will it not turn the engine over unless/until you wait half an hour? Please clarify.
And welcome to the forum by the way!
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