Yes. How old is the battery?
John Deere 318 Battery
I think my battery is really low, the dash lights are dim and my starter is spinning slowly. Are these symtoms of a low battery?
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Yes, it sounds low, but first, let's check the fluid level, charge it, and have it load tested. Then check the charging system.
The battery is a John Deere Strong Box, and was bought in July '10. On a side note I haven't ran the tractor for a month, and to add, when I turn the key to start it the lights on the dash are almost off, the starter will turn so slowly, then stop.
It should not have run down in a month, but it's possible. I'd try what D-Dogg said. Throw a charger on it and after it's charged have a load test run on it. Any autoparts store can do that ...
Well, in mid January I found a starter motor to put on it, and tinkered with it for a while, trying to get the starter to run, to find out the starter was shot, that probably ran my battery down.
Mine is a 6 year old Walmart battery and I just started the tractor for the first time in a month this morning. No problems.The battery is a John Deere Strong Box, and was bought in July '10. On a side note I haven't ran the tractor for a month, and to add, when I turn the key to start it the lights on the dash are almost off, the starter will turn so slowly, then stop.
Not to be insulting, but I wouldn't buy a battery from JD. No telling how old it is.
But it sounds like you have troubles a new battery won't fix.
Well, I got my original starter fixed and bench tested it, so it can't be that, and when I tried it, the starter spun fast, then while cranking it slowed down. So I will get it load tested, and give it a jump.
Success!!! This morning I took my battery to the auto store, had them load test it, and what do you know, no juice. So they charged, tested again and BINGO!!! My fixed original starter works perfectly now, and sounds great!!!!
Check you cables for good ground and also test your Voltage Regulator to see that it is returning enough voltage to keep your battery charged!
My battery light has been on for a while now. I think I may need a new regulator. But I have another problem with the wiring on the regulator too.
X2 on the stupid cheap WalMart battery! Got mine last summer for $24 and used it for a while. The tractor got parked and covered up in October, and that was it. Last Sunday was a fantastic day, warm and beautiful, so I was out tinkering around the shed, and pulled the cover off of the 300 just to have a look. Just for kicks, I gave the key a twist, and the **** battery was like new! It took a little while of cranking to get it to start, and the battery was on point the whole time, no problems. ****, at 24 bucks, I don't think you could beat that!:trink40:Mine is a 6 year old Walmart battery and I just started the tractor for the first time in a month this morning. No problems.
Not to be insulting, but I wouldn't buy a battery from JD. No telling how old it is.
But it sounds like you have troubles a new battery won't fix.
Anyone have insight on this regulator problem?
Here you go. The Stash man wrote up a real nice test procedure.
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showpost.php?p=1515769&postcount=2
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showpost.php?p=1515769&postcount=2
Thanks D-Dogg, I have one problem though, the regulator is some how shorting when I connect the inner AC connector,I get sparks and the wire gets hot.
If thy hand offend thee, cut it off. Oh wait, it's Tuesday. Just disconnecting the outer white wires and check the stator voltage with the engine running will do.Thanks D-Dogg, I have one problem though, the regulator is some how shorting when I connect the inner AC connector,I get sparks and the wire gets hot.
Then ohm the regulator case to either of the outside terminals to check for shorts.
But I suspect your regulator might be mounted cocked such that one lug might be shorting against the engine cover. Or one of your wires is abraded.
Well, one of my wires is abraded.
Liquid electrical tape is pretty good stuff. Just clean and dry the wire very well, then cover the abraded area thoroughly before application. Cover the abraded area completely with some overlap. AND LET THE STUFF DRY COMPLETELY.Well, one of my wires is abraded.
Alright, so this past week I changed the bad connector on my regulator, and now it works great. Now my battery is charging!!! And no battery light!!!!
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