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4100 won't crank

15K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  AJgrn78  
#1 ·
There I was in a clearing at the cabin...cutting wind downed trees to logger length and grappling them into piles. Nice easy work for the tractor. Shut tractor off each time while chainsawing. Started right up until the last time when there was a click under the dash...then nothing. Checked wiring connectors to seat and range selector safety switches...everything appeared okay. Checked all the fuses visually and with meter...all okay. Battery voltage was a little low (tested at 12.3 volts)...so I jumped the battery ...still nothing. If the unit sat for a long while a turn of the key would give a single click from under the dash...and then nothing. In the 'off time', in the switch 'on' position, the dash lights were erratic...sometimes slow to come on one at a time and not very bright...other times bright as anything and immediate. Hazard lights and headlamps didn't work at all in the switch 'on' position. Don't know how to hot wire the starter and didn't want to possibly cause more damage so I jacked the loader and ballast box up and chained them to the ROPS. Then used my 4x4 Dodge Dakota to tow the the 4100 about a block and a half back to the shed to escape predicted storms. (Trust me, it was a PITA job that I hope not to do again. Can someone clue me in on how best to hot wire this unit?) Once in the garage I disconnected the battery, cleaned the posts and cables and jumped again with a fresh battery. Still nothing. There is no schematic or wiring diagram in the operators manual so I have no idea if there is a solenoid or relay under the dash. Any of you helpful folks have an idea what the problem is...and how to fix it? BTW this tractor is in the far north woods of Minnesota and the closest John Deere dealer...mostly lawn and garden but now some compact...is 35-40 miles away. I'd really like to avoid having to have it hauled to the dealer if possible.
 
#2 ·
Well it's to late to suggest that you don't try and jump start your tractor. Electrical components seem to fry at an alarming rate on these things.

I'm betting your battery is shot. 12.3 volts at rest is way too low for a healthy battery. Did you check the voltage with the key & headlights on? You should have better than 10.5 volts. If not it's dead or shot. I suspect that the battery was low and repeated starting finished it off. You can pull it out and take the battery to a local parts store for testing. Sometimes batteries get an internal short and it's all over but the crying. Usually no time or reason to it. One minute it works and the next nothing. You need to be 100% sure your battery is good before trying to do any type of diagnostic testing.
 
#3 ·
My guess would be one of 3 things:

- Totally shot / shorted battery

- Loose or disconnected ground wire somewhere, maybe snagged a branch? I'd start with the big leads from the battery to the frame (ground) and the positive leads to the starter and fuse panel.

- Ignition switch decided to go tits-up.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Looking at the schematic it shows a fusible link inline on the main power wire that leaves the starter and goes to the fuses and key switch. The parts diagram shows it being near the starter but I am not sure if that is correct. I am guessing it will be a short piece of smaller wire coming off of the starter main post more than likely 3-6 inches long. If this has started to fail or has some corrosion in it it may be the cause of the issue especially if the lights on the dash are acting strange because it appears that all of the power for everything after the starter is powered through this fusible link. M807462 is the part number for said link.
 
#4 ·
I need your help. The 4100, despite extensive inspections and checks still will not start. The battery is new, the ignition switch replaced and the wiring checked for breaks, loose connections or bad grounds and the relays/switches checked for proper operation. I've even purchased an hour of shop time with a JD service tech for ideas. Nothing works. There is a black box, a control module (P/N M807913) located under the seat just below the seat safety switch. The JD tech didn't have a working knowledge of this box or its function in the ignition circuit. He did say, though, that when the glow plug controller (located up by the radiator) fails this box can fail also. I lost the glow plug controller a couple of winters ago but have been starting fine using the old PTO switch trick. The black box is a $460+ item according to the Green Farm Parts website. Since it is an electrical part, and therefore not returnable, I'd really don't want to chance buying it if it isn't going to fix the problem. Have any of you guys had experience with this box failing...and what were the symptoms? As you can tell I'm getting pretty frustrated and I really need this tractor operating soon. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
#5 ·
Someone with a more thorough knowledge of these JD electrical systems might be able to help if you provide more details of what it actually does when you turn the key on. You mentioned before the dash lights going crazy and acting erratic, is this still happening? Are the hazard lights still not working? What exactly happens when you turn the key to "on"? And when you try to crank it you get nothing?

Also, the thing about the glow plug controller is confusing, when you say you "lost it", you mean that it stopped working? And what is this "pto switch trick"?

It sounds to me like you have some very nagging electrical issues, which may all be related back to that control module and the glow plug controller box that you mentioned. I wonder if you could find a used module for less money? And why didn't you replace that plug controller thing?

Sorry I'm not more helpful than that...
 
#7 ·
I think JDTech could be correct, I would check that lead and make sure it's tight and not cracked!

It would perfectly explain your symptoms.