L3902 Won't start

matt27919

New member

Equipment
L3902, LA526, RCR1860
Nov 5, 2023
13
1
3
Perquimans County
A chain of events happened: First I hit a branch with the oil filter and it bent the oil filter, leaking all the oil out. the tractor made a grinding noise for less than a second before shutting off. I replaced the oil and filter and now it still gives me a low pressure light on and will not start. I added the correct amount of oil, checked the dipstick. both plugs were tightened and so was the oil filter. When I turn the key to start, it makes one click and the lights on the dash go off. They light back up as soon as the key turns back to on. Not sure if its a starter, the low oil switch (part 11521-39013) or something else. If anyone knows what it could be I would appreciate the info! Tractor was bought in June 2020 and I really hope it isn't a seized engine. It was running like a champ before hand.
 
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TheOldHokie

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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
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Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
A chain of events happened: First I hit a branch with the oil filter and it bent the oil filter, leaking all the oil out. the tractor made a grinding noise for less than a second before shutting off. I replaced the oil and filter and now it still gives me a low pressure light on and will not start. I added the correct amount of oil, checked the dipstick. both plugs were tightened and so was the oil filter. When I turn the key to start, it makes one click and the lights on the dash go off. They light back up as soon as the key turns back to on. Not sure if its a starter, the low oil switch (part 1J455-39050) or something else. If anyone knows what it could be I would appreciate the info! Tractor was bought in June 2020 and I really hope it isn't a seized engine. It was running like a champ before hand.
The low oil pressure light won't go off until the engine starts.

The behavior of the instrument panel lights sounds like a low battery or bad connection.

Time for some starting system checks.

Dan
 
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Orange man

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Equipment
Kubota L2501 LA525 loader , woods prd6000 mower, Land pride RB 1672
Jul 23, 2014
190
103
43
WNY
Did you shut it off or did it stall with no oil in it?
 

TheOldHokie

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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
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Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
i was running the brush cutter and the PTO is shut off when i tried to restart it. might tinker with the linkage but its the push button pto switch so not hard to make sure its in the off position.
We could speculate all day and resolve nothing. If it won't crank jump battery to starter. If it cranks the engine is not seized.

Dan
 

cthomas

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Equipment
LX2610 HSDC
Jan 1, 2017
865
581
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La Farge Wi
Put a breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt and try to turn the engine over by hand(make sure the key is in the off position). Your instrument cluster behavior is normal when the key is in the start to on position, as this prevent voltage spikes from damaging components. If you can't get to the bolt on the crankshaft try the alternator bolt(go the tightening direction) or if you have a drain hole or inspection plug on the flywheel side put a prybar(big screw driver) and try to turn the engine over. Do you have insurance on the tractor?
 
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matt27919

New member

Equipment
L3902, LA526, RCR1860
Nov 5, 2023
13
1
3
Perquimans County
Put a breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt and try to turn the engine over by hand(make sure the key is in the off position). Your instrument cluster behavior is normal when the key is in the start to on position, as this prevent voltage spikes from damaging components. If you can't get to the bolt on the crankshaft try the alternator bolt(go the tightening direction) or if you have a drain hole or inspection plug on the flywheel side put a prybar(big screw driver) and try to turn the engine over. Do you have insurance on the tractor?
Yes I have insurance. Haven't tried to turn the crank yet because it went out in the woods and its getting dark early now. Thank you.
 

whitetiger

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Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
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Kansas City, KS
the tractor made a grinding noise for less than a second before shutting off.
That pretty much tells the story, your engine is seized from lack of lubrication.
Get it recovered from the woods and to the dealership, file a claim with the insurance and the dealer can install the new engine.
 

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,304
1,996
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Mid, South, USA
Engine is junk.

Likely stacked bearing(s) or just plain seized (or partially seized, IOW, TIGHT!)

As whitetiger said, get it out of the woods and make it accessible to the recovery truck so they can haul it to a dealer.
 

TheOldHokie

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,935
4,705
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
A chain of events happened: First I hit a branch with the oil filter and it bent the oil filter, leaking all the oil out. the tractor made a grinding noise for less than a second before shutting off. I replaced the oil and filter and now it still gives me a low pressure light on and will not start. I added the correct amount of oil, checked the dipstick. both plugs were tightened and so was the oil filter. When I turn the key to start, it makes one click and the lights on the dash go off. They light back up as soon as the key turns back to on. Not sure if its a starter, the low oil switch (part 11521-39013) or something else. If anyone knows what it could be I would appreciate the info! Tractor was bought in June 2020 and I really hope it isn't a seized engine. It was running like a champ before hand.
Where is this tractor now?

Dan
 
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