M8580 troubles

[mpalm805]

I have a M8580 and my dad went to start it the other day and cranked slightly and now won’t crank at all. Battery cables are clean and battery voltage is 12.8 volts. I have power at the main positive cable from the battery to the starter. I also have no power in the cab at all. Nothing works, radio, heater fan, no lights and dash is dead. I checked the 75 amp mega fuse and it checks out ok. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mike
(New forum member)

 

[Mister]

I'd throw a charger or battery tender on the battery and make sure it is completely charged, and then try again

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Fordtech86]

Like what mister said, make sure battery is good, it can show a good surface charge but not have the capacity when you go to crank it. Also check the connection where the ground cable attaches to the frame

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to OTT
Did you clean/tighten all "4" battery cable ends paying special attention to where ground cable attaches to frame? Is trans in neutral & pto in off position?

 

[mpalm805]

Thanks for the suggestions. It was the ground cable that attaches
To the frame. I removed the cable, was rusty at the frame bolt. Made a new cable and installed star washers on it. It started right up. This is a very useful group. Keep up the great work.
Mike

 

[Tx Jim]

Thanks for update. I'm glad you got tractor starting again.
Jim

 

[D2Cat]

Mike, welcome to the forum. Many on here know when someone says "...battery cables are clean" it mean the easy ends have been looked at! A good lesson for all.

Enough rust on the frame where the ground cable attaches, and it is in effect a stop valve for electricity.

 

[SidecarFlip]

12.8 volts on a flooded cell battery is basically DEAD. You want 13+ static.

 

[Pau7220]

12.8 volts on a flooded cell battery is basically DEAD. You want 13+ static.

12.6v on a flooded cell battery is considered "fully charged for (load) testing".
Load to 1/2 the CCA for 15 seconds, it should maintain at least 9.6v.