Issue with L3830 Starting

[karnsfarm]

I'm having trouble intermittently with my L3830 that has about 4,000 hours on it...hoping someone here can help.

On the front of the motor there's a fuel shutoff; when you turn the key on it clicks inside - it's got a little round rod.

It'll start up, and maybe run for 30 seconds, then it automatically shuts off by itself. Once it's warmed up it'll run for hours with no issue. It'll start right up every time when the engine's already warm.

When you turn the key on, on that thing in front of the motor there's a click that clicks the fuel on, but then it clicks a second time and shuts the fuel off.

I've already tried changing the fuel shutoff/turn-on (not sure what it's called) - it was about $150 for the part and it didn't make a difference.

I talked to our local Kubota garage and their hunch is that it's a switch somewhere. I bypassed them with a wire but it didn't fix the problem. If it'll start just fine when it's already warm, I'm assuming it's not a switch.

I'm leaning towards blaming the key switch, because if you turn it on really fast it starts up...then it shuts off. If you turn the switch slowly it just spins over.

Any advice on what to try next is appreciated - otherwise it'll have to go to the garage. Thank you!

 

[85Hokie]

Based on what you describe, it might be the switch, you could take a jumper wire and keep a constant positive feed to the fuel solenoid and see if that fixes the problem.
Make the wire very accessible - and make it so that you can get to it easily.

If it does allow it to stay running....then you know it is the switch!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds to me that you have a bad engine stop solenoid relay.

I'll PM you a link to download the WSM for your tractor, it will tell you exactly how to test and troubleshoot the relay.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

then you know it is the switch!

What about relays, wiring connections, ground connections, fuses, just to name a few.

If it was always so cut and dried it wouldn't require a forum or mechanics!

Dang teachers think they know everything!

 

[karnsfarm]

Based on what you describe, it might be the switch, you could take a jumper wire and keep a constant positive feed to the fuel solenoid and see if that fixes the problem.
Make the wire very accessible - and make it so that you can get to it easily.

If it does allow it to stay running....then you know it is the switch!

85 Hokie this did the trick...did exactly what you said and now we have our answer. Thank you!

 

[karnsfarm]

I've put in a new fuel shut off and a new key switch, but I'm still having the same issue. When you turn the key on, there's one click in the fuel shutoff, and it will start. Sometimes, there's a 2nd click, and it won't start.

Other times, it will start and run for about 10 seconds before shutting off on its own.

Any other ideas what this could be? Thanks.