Kubota question for JM or anyone else

Blackhole49 · Oct 4, 2016

My 1988 F2000 has been acting up for a year and 1/2 now. When I go to start it, occasionally it will fire as soon as I hit the key. Usually however, it will just click and I will have to turn the key 3 or 4 times before the starter engages. It never fails to start. I replaced the starter/solenoid with a new one last fall and it made no difference. Could it be one of the safety switches? It always at least clicks when you turn the key to the start position.

Steve@Advance · Oct 4, 2016

It sounds like the solenoid, but some testing will determine the cause.

Put a test light from ground to the starter side of the solenoid. Have an assistant hold the switch to start when it fails.

If the light is on, the solenoid is good.

Check at the starter lug, if power there, and no crank, the starter is going bad.

If no power, start working your way back toward the battery, checking each connection. Could be a bad cable end, loose/dirty connection, bad ground.

Do all tests while under load, as in while holding the switch following a failed start. Just be careful, it could start cranking at any time!

Dieselbreath · Oct 4, 2016

Your problem sounds like one I had on my Kubota. It over time kept getting worse and worse. Would just click and not start, over and over. Turns out, the voltage drop was too large to energize the starter solenoid after going through the safety switches and ignition switch. The fix was to add another solenoid and reroute the wiring.
I believe John Deere has the parts to fix the problem. I used some parts I had laying around. Starts instantly now. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Tx Jim · Oct 4, 2016

This is the added starter relay that Dieselbreath referred to. JD part number is RE170320 Starter Relay ADD 29.51 USD

jm. · Oct 4, 2016

Tx Jim and desielbreth are right on. The simple fix is an added solenoid. Kubota sells it in a kit as well a John Deer but I can tell you how to wire it using any simple solenoid. E mail is ope send me a phone number and I will give you a call. It will solve the problem.

Blackhole49 · Oct 5, 2016

Thanks for the replies. I have a solenoid, do I just bypass the one on the starter? Wiring would be helpful. The current solenoid is part of the starter and activates a separate lever that throws the bendix out. FYI: before I replaced the starter and solenoid as a unit, I replaced just the solenoid with no results.

Kubota question for JM or anyone else

Blackhole49

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

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Dieselbreath

Member

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

jm.

Well-known Member

Blackhole49

Well-known Member

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