L3901 won't start

wolf1945

New member

Equipment
kubota L3901 tractor, bushhog,grappler,and tiller
Feb 6, 2022
10
1
3
Panama city FL
I put a new starter in it. It will turn over slow like a weak battery. Battery has 13.47 volts. I checked the voltage on the cable to starter and have 13.47 volts. Any ideas on the problem? thanks for any help.
 

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
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113
Bedford - VA
I put a new starter in it. It will turn over slow like a weak battery. Battery has 13.47 volts. I checked the voltage on the cable to starter and have 13.47 volts. Any ideas on the problem? thanks for any help.

This is coming up more and more often.......

It is nice that VOLTS are good - but that is a small piece of the larger picture.......

YOU need a ton of AMPS to make that puppy spin......... amps do not like poor connections!


Couple of questions.........

WHY did you replace the starter? FOR the same reason it is doing now?

I would say - REPLACE the battery with another just for S & G's ......... if no difference......

look at all the connection TO THE BATTERY and too the starter - both HOT and NEGATIVE ........

Pull them off, clean them and tighten them back up.

YOU can get around the key by connecting the large + post on the starter to the smaller post - get ready for a spark, but if the starter spins...... you KNOW it is not the battery or the starter.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
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Sandpoint, ID
Have you load tested the battery?
Have you removed and cleaned the battery connections on both end of both cables?

Why did you change the starter?
 

wolf1945

New member

Equipment
kubota L3901 tractor, bushhog,grappler,and tiller
Feb 6, 2022
10
1
3
Panama city FL
Have you load tested the battery?
Have you removed and cleaned the battery connections on both end of both cables?

Why did you change the starter?
Replaced the starter because of smoke coming from it. I may have caused the problem from trying to start several times.
 

wolf1945

New member

Equipment
kubota L3901 tractor, bushhog,grappler,and tiller
Feb 6, 2022
10
1
3
Panama city FL
Replaced the starter because of smoke coming from it. I may have caused the problem from trying to start several times.
I am using a jump battery. the one in tractor will not hold a charge. Going to replace the battery with a new one tomorrow and run a hot wire to the starter. Could be a bad switch. I will let everyone know the results. only get a short start cycle now. Slow barely turns.
 

wolf1945

New member

Equipment
kubota L3901 tractor, bushhog,grappler,and tiller
Feb 6, 2022
10
1
3
Panama city FL
I am using a jump battery. the one in tractor will not hold a charge. Going to replace the battery with a new one tomorrow and run a hot wire to the starter. Could be a bad switch. I will let everyone know the results. only get a short start cycle now. Slow barely turns.
Yes I replaced the starter for doing the same thing it is doing now. and smoke coming from it.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,600
8,841
113
Sandpoint, ID
Sounds like you have an engine issue if your burning up starters trying to turn it.
 
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