L3450 no crank no start

[Woden]

Hey folks,
I recently picked up an old L3450. It's been running great. However today i hopped on and it will not start. Ran fine about two weeks ago. Today however we are having a cold snap so perhaps that is causing the issue. It dropped to about 10 degrees today
The battery is good, fully charged.
Turn the key, the dash lights come on but no click or anything when I turn it to start. It does not have a seat switch, or a clutch switch, but it does have a neutral switch.
The positive lead going to the starter reads normal voltage and a voltage drop when the key is turned but there's no sound not even a click. i also tried warming up the area around the starter with a heat gun thinking maybe there was moisture frozen inside no luck.
Anyone help me trouble shoot from here?
I am not exactly sure how to trouble shoot the starter or the switches.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

That tractor (I have the same model) has 2 switches that effect power to the starter relay.
One is the shuttle switch one is the PTO switch.

Use a simple test light look for power in and out on each switch.
then look for constant power in to the starter relay and that switched power input.

 

[Woden]

thanks. I was thinking that the voltage drop when the ignition key was turned was an indication that the switches were not the issue. Is that faulty reasoning?

 

[Woden]

Just in case it's helpful for anyone else, here's a pic of where the shuttle switch is located on the L3450

 

[Woden]

switch didn't seem to be working. I don't have a test light handy so I used the continuity test on my voltmeter and there was no continuity on the leads when I turned the key. So I bypassed the switch.



Then the tractor started!

BUT! when i tried to start it a second time, it clicked a few times then there was a buzzing sound from behind the ignition switch then the dash lights went out!
It's getting dark and about to start freezing rain so I guess I will have to get back to it tomorrow. Not my favorite weather for tractor repair.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

That doesn't sound good.
Yep you have something out of whack on it.
If you need to get it started to move it, just jump it at the starter and move it then kill it with the manual stop lever.
No key, switch, or electric needed for that tractor to run.

 

[Woden]

ooooh good point!
So i just need to jump these two together to start it?

 

[whitetiger]

ooooh good point!
So i just need to jump these two together to start it?




View attachment 145044

Yes, that should engage the starter. Make sure the transmission is in neutral so it does not start and run over yourself. It looks like you should be cleaning your battery cable ends or replacing them.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

ooooh good point!
So i just need to jump these two together to start it?




View attachment 145044

Yep you got it.