won't start - electrical goes dead when ignition key in start position

[Rabb]

Panel on l4310 lights up normally, then everything goes dead when key turned to start position. I then have to disconnect, then reconnect negative on battery to get dash to light up again ...but problem persists.

Background: Prior to this problem arising, I had just replaced the glow plug controller. After that swap out, I went to start the tractor and it cranked very weakly (the tractor had been idle for awhile). After cranking once (until I was just getting clicks), I turned the key to off ...then back to the on position, but the panel was now dead ...not dim, but dead. I put a full charge to the battery after that, but the panel remained dead and no crank. It is after disconnecting and cleaning the battery terminals that the panel lit up and I found that moving to the start position was tripping something that killed electrical.

New to tractors and will appreciate any input.

 

[mfljr]

Check the battery cables very carefully.

The fact that removing and replacing the cables gets power back to the dash makes me think your cables are not making very good connection.

Might not be at the battery though, check the wire into the terminal and the ends where they mount to the ground and starter.

Good luck.

 

[rentthis]

As mfljr said, sounds like a bad ground at the frame. Connect jumper cable to the neg battery terminal and the other end to a clean place on the engine. If it goes back to work, you need to clean the neg battery cable ground point.

 

[85Hokie]

I agree with both above.

I would take apart all cables and grounds, clean em bright and tight! And report back with what happens

 

[Rabb]

Thanks to all of you. I'll go over the ground connections more thoroughly later today (when the feeling returns to my fingers) and report back.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Battery can also have this symptom. Unless you can load test battery with a carbon pile load tester, you might be better off to try a different "known good" battery.

**caution** if it is in fact your battery,every time you try to crank you risk an explosion.

 

[Rabb]

Firstly thanks much for all of your input. Anyway, of course I had checked the ground before I bothered you fine folks, but when so many still thought ground, I went back and am embarrassed to say that, while the connection to the block and between the battery and the battery terminal connector was fine, the connection inside battery terminal connector itself was corroded. That was it.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Start with the free stuff and work your way out. Glad you found it. Soaking cable ends in a cup of hot water and baking soda. Will knock down corrosion.

 

[85Hokie]

Firstly thanks much for all of your input. Anyway, of course I had checked the ground before I bothered you fine folks, but when so many still thought ground, I went back and am embarrassed to say that, while the connection to the block and between the battery and the battery terminal connector was fine, the connection inside battery terminal connector itself was corroded. That was it.

Sometimes we overlook the smallest detail! Glad you found the problem.

A long time ago - I was teaching computer skills, had a monitor that would not work well, took it to the local shop - the 15 pin vga cable had a bent pin, I felt like a smuck! Should have been the FIRST thing to look for........

experience, what an unique tool!

 

[Dalroo]

Glad it was an easy fix. Batteries and bad grounds can cause an array of symptoms that make you think it must be something more serious.

I had a German sports car that my " mechanic" charged me a ton of Deutschmarks to diagnose an electric gremlin, only to find out the ground was corroded. Very annoying.