No crank BX 23D

[TV Kubota BX 23]

I have an intermittent problem with my 2005 bx 23D not cranking over, replaced all safety switches, starter, battery, key switch and ground wire. If I move the foot pedal back and forth the starter will finally kick in. Works fine for a couple times then acts up. Any suggestions on what to check, I did purchase an aftermarket starter, maybe its the starter acting up? Also last time it did it, i tapped on the starter and it started. Not sure if its an adjustment or a bad starter? Tired of throwing money at this. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

A test light would be your best friend to figure out if your getting power to the solenoid or not.

 

[TV Kubota BX 23]

A test light would be your best friend to figure out if your getting power to the solenoid or not.

Whats your opinion of adding a starter relay Bypass switch sir? Tractor is 20 years old. Thanks

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Whats your opinion of adding a starter relay Bypass switch sir? Tractor is 20 years old. Thanks

It could be a work around, if for nothing else to keep it working until fixed permanently. Its not a good long term fix.
Hook a test light to the solenoid input (with it still connected to the solenoid), if it lights up nice and bright then the issue is internal to the solenoid, replace it.
If it lights up dim, then a added bump relay to it and that would give you full pull in amps to the starter solenoid.

 

[Tractor Gal]

I'm usually way off base on things but I'll throw this out there anyway. I, too, have a 2004 BX23D and have had starting problems from time to time. My neighbor helped me at one point when I couldn't get it started for many days...the starter cog wheel had not retracted. With a long-handled screwdriver, he pushed that back in and it started without another hesitation.

But...starting problems returned. I tried the screwdriver push back and it helped at times but not always. I even have purchased a starter but hadn't installed it since the problem was intermittent.

Then, I discovered what may be the REAL problem. The speed selection lever wasn't easy to move between "turtle" and "rabbit" when the tractor hadn't been used for a few days. When I thought the transmission was in neutral, it really wasn't. In looking down into the area where the selection lever goes into the transmission, it appeared to be quite dirty. (The last owner was negligent in most areas, including keeping things as clean as possible.) If I had taken the right wheel off, I could've accessed the area more easily but I didn't want to go through all that. So, with a rigid wire, screwdriver, anything that would help clean the area, I was finally able to get the buildup broken away. Then, I sprayed with White Lithium grease and worked the lever many times. Result? Started right up.

Now, once I am ready to shut off the tractor, I make sure the speed selector is moving easily from the slow to fast. And, prior to starting again when the engine is cold, I move the lever to both speeds to make sure it is in neutral. So far, it is working. And, with continued use, thanks to the Lithium grease, the movement of that lever is working much better. Strange thing was...when the engine was running, there was no problem with moving that lever to either speed. Go figure.

Anyway, check you speed selector lever to make sure you are really in neutral. It would be interesting to see if it could be the same problem. For a 20-year old tractor, I have no complaints about this baby. I hope you feel the same way about yours...well, after you get the problem resolved anyway!

Tractor Gal

 

[GreensvilleJay]

did you replace the +ve battery cable ???

 

[TV Kubota BX 23]

did you replace the +ve battery cable ???

Yes sir i did, brand new from kubota. I just started it up no issue. I removed the hood so when it does not start next time I can check the voltage at the Solenoid like you recommended. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks

 

[GreensvilleJay]

OK, cause I didn't see that in your 1st post.

 

[TV Kubota BX 23]

I'm usually way off base on things but I'll throw this out there anyway. I, too, have a 2004 BX23D and have had starting problems from time to time. My neighbor helped me at one point when I couldn't get it started for many days...the starter cog wheel had not retracted. With a long-handled screwdriver, he pushed that back in and it started without another hesitation.

But...starting problems returned. I tried the screwdriver push back and it helped at times but not always. I even have purchased a starter but hadn't installed it since the problem was intermittent.

Then, I discovered what may be the REAL problem. The speed selection lever wasn't easy to move between "turtle" and "rabbit" when the tractor hadn't been used for a few days. When I thought the transmission was in neutral, it really wasn't. In looking down into the area where the selection lever goes into the transmission, it appeared to be quite dirty. (The last owner was negligent in most areas, including keeping things as clean as possible.) If I had taken the right wheel off, I could've accessed the area more easily but I didn't want to go through all that. So, with a rigid wire, screwdriver, anything that would help clean the area, I was finally able to get the buildup broken away. Then, I sprayed with White Lithium grease and worked the lever many times. Result? Started right up.

Now, once I am ready to shut off the tractor, I make sure the speed selector is moving easily from the slow to fast. And, prior to starting again when the engine is cold, I move the lever to both speeds to make sure it is in neutral. So far, it is working. And, with continued use, thanks to the Lithium grease, the movement of that lever is working much better. Strange thing was...when the engine was running, there was no problem with moving that lever to either speed. Go figure.

Anyway, check you speed selector lever to make sure you are really in neutral. It would be interesting to see if it could be the same problem. For a 20-year old tractor, I have no complaints about this baby. I hope you feel the same way about yours...well, after you get the problem resolved anyway!

Tractor Gal

Thanks for following up, i am meticulous about keeping the machine clean, i had to remove the transmission last year and pressure washed everything, pretty darn clean overall.

 

[Tractor Gal]

Thanks for following up, i am meticulous about keeping the machine clean, i had to remove the transmission last year and pressure washed everything, pretty darn clean overall.

OK, good deal. It was worth a shot. When mine started so easily today, I thought of the problem you described. Hopefully, you'll find the issue and get it to start easily again .

TG

 

[TV Kubota BX 23]

It could be a work around, if for nothing else to keep it working until fixed permanently. Its not a good long term fix.
Hook a test light to the solenoid input (with it still connected to the solenoid), if it lights up nice and bright then the issue is internal to the solenoid, replace it.
If it lights up dim, then a added bump relay to it and that would give you full pull in amps to the starter solenoid.

I went ahead and installed the starter relay bypass, tractor has started every time so far and it seems like the starter spins much faster. I will keep everyone posted on the no crank issue should it occurs again. Thanks

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: it seems like the starter spins much faster.

that shouldn't be possible...

 

[DustyRusty]

If the new relay is supplying more amps than the old one, it definitely will have that effect on the starter. Just like a weak battery will spin the starter, but not fast enough to start the engine.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, that starter must have an external high current 'starter solenoid' and not an internal one ?
I was thinking 'relay' meant the low power 'control' relay and not a 'contactor' or 'solenoid'.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It real simple, the external starter relay pulls the internal high voltage solenoid contacts in tighter and without chatter which make the starter receive constant voltage and amperage to spin faster and with more torque.

 

[TV Kubota BX 23]

It real simple, the external starter relay pulls the internal high voltage solenoid contacts in tighter and without chatter which make the starter receive constant voltage and amperage to spin faster and with more torque.

I am very happy with the results, has started every time so far, easy to hook up. Cost was $25 for the heavy duty version with the indicator light. I am not an expert on electrical, however this appears to have corrected the issue. Machine is 20 years old so I am assuming the wring has lost some of its conductivity?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I am very happy with the results, has started every time so far, easy to hook up. Cost was $25 for the heavy duty version with the indicator light. I am not an expert on electrical, however this appears to have corrected the issue. Machine is 20 years old so I am assuming the wring has lost some of its conductivity?

Yes that is one of a few models that have wiring like that and they suffer from a loss when they get old.
It's a combination of loss from wiring, connections and switches.
Most do not have this issue because they already have a relay in the circuit or an OPC that has a relay in it to carry a load to the starter solenoid.