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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

headlights kill motor

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2x4

01-12-2006 20:54:01




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coming home on the (gasoline) tractor last night the headlites keep getting dimmer & dimmer til they went almost out. I turned them off, then back on & killed the motor. Moonlite so drove w/o lites home. Barely got it restarted. Next a.m dead battery Has an altenator. New battery, starts right up. Pulled off ground cable when running & stayed running. What's wrong?




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shannon from ohio

01-14-2006 14:31:15




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to 2x4, 01-12-2006 20:54:01  
Yes, you have alternator problems. The negative rectifiers inside of the alternator are shorted. The positive ones are probably ok being it will run with cable disconnected BUT will not put out hardly any current at all. But one word of wisdom: Don't disconnect your battery cables with your engine running, This causes the voltage regulator to go haywire because of voltage spikes and cause voltages to go up to disastrous levels....

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Bus Driver

01-13-2006 16:00:01




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to 2x4, 01-12-2006 20:54:01  
Many alternators will be damaged if the battery is disconnected while the engine driving the alternator is running. The sensor (feedback)voltage is lost and the alternator regulator forces the maximum voltage in the alternator in an attempt to get the sensor voltage back to proper levels. Usually ruins some of the diodes, potentially ruins it all. It is very foolish to remove the battery cable on a running vehicle.

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2x4

01-13-2006 17:29:42




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to Bus Driver, 01-13-2006 16:00:01  
I knew this method worked OK for generators but the local garage mechanic tried it with my alternator.



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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

01-13-2006 05:41:12




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to 2x4, 01-12-2006 20:54:01  
First tighten your fan belt. It sounds as though you may need an alternator if that doesn't work.

I have had that happen with a couple of Volvos as they got old and cranky.



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RustyFarmall

01-12-2006 22:16:34




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to 2x4, 01-12-2006 20:54:01  
Take the alternator to town and have it tested. You'll probably be bringing a new one home.



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old

01-12-2006 22:10:45




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to 2x4, 01-12-2006 20:54:01  
Well if it only does it with the head lights on I would say you have a bad short in the wireing to the lights.



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Jon Hagen

01-12-2006 22:43:50




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to old, 01-12-2006 22:10:45  
Sounds like your alternator is putting out enough to run the ignition,but not lights and ignition. Might be an internal alternator problem,but just as likely to be a loose belt,fan or alternator. I have repaired several early IH tractors with a no/low charge condition,where the fan belt was too loose to run the fan and alternator under heavy electrical load.



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2x4

01-13-2006 17:32:38




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to Jon Hagen, 01-12-2006 22:43:50  
fanbelt seems to be tight. something is making a sqealing noise that quits after a few minutes. I thought it was the fanbelt.



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Jon Hagen

01-13-2006 18:48:50




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 Re: headlights kill motor in reply to 2x4, 01-13-2006 17:32:38  
A squeal indicates a slipping belt. Check for a loose,worn or glazed belt. Also check for worn V belt pulleys. I have seen pulleys worn so no V groove remained,they were worn square and transmitted very little power to the fan or generator/alternator.



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