X300 Owner With Starting Trouble

11460 Views 22 Replies 12 Participants Last post by retsparky, Dec 26, 2013

stladrill

Discussion Starter · Aug 28, 2011 (Edited)

4

Hi folks.

I begin to have trouble to start my tractor for few week now, the usual "click noise" without the engine turning.
First thing in my mind was a low battery but not convince it was that so I investigate further.
Here was the trouble, the starter solenoid was rusted like I never see before in a short period of time, I bought my tractor in October 2009 and always stay in a heated garage when not used.

Here what the solenoid look like (part# MIU10981 and MIU12537)
All X3xx have that kind of solenoid.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/318429_10150275954954582_5221474_n.jpg?oh=c2f03d5ed08368678c44594f744485f8&oe=5533CE9D&__gda__=1430704420_9d1e519da37739777062fa353b97557a/IMG]

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/318717_10150275954974582_7835678_n.jpg?oh=aaa7556b5c7348d34f3e8c07517e697b&oe=550696BE&__gda__=1430542080_0afb5d4e08942fdf57948b65b76b1245

Here you can see that the welding on the contact was not done properly.

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Jim_WV

· #2 · Aug 28, 2011

:1221: Wow Steph, I'm amazed at that !. Everyone knows how well you take care of that machine and that is quite a shock to see what occurred there. No doubt nothing you did from any neglect.

My first thought would be from moisture from all that snow you moved last winter maybe got to it ?

.

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 28, 2011

Jim_WV said:
:1221: Wow Steph, I'm amazed at that !. Everyone knows how well you take care of that machine and that is quite a shock to see what occurred there. No doubt nothing you did from any neglect.

My first thought would be from moisture from all that snow you moved last winter maybe got to it ? .

The engine compartment is pretty dry from the engine heat when I blow snow, I'm more in the "over washing" that cause the problem.

This summer I start cutting grass in our new home with it and I always rinse the tractor in and out to keep it clean.

Mike Michaels

· #4 · Aug 28, 2011

Sorry to see that. Do you think the water is getting in thru the bottom or the top of the solenoid?

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 28, 2011 (Edited)

Mike Michaels said:
Sorry to see that. Do you think the water is getting in thru the bottom or the top of the solenoid?

The solenoid it's install with the metal plate on the vertical and the 2 small contact bolt are near the top.

It's hard to tell but my best guess it's the cheap gasket.

KATT

· #6 · Aug 28, 2011

:sorry1: to see that , but at least you can figure out what's wrong !!
I know I catch flack each time I say it, but I NEVER wash my tractors, my engines are very dirty but dry. :trink40:

craigbaill

· #7 · Aug 28, 2011

I was shocked when I saw the tractor was YOURS!! Maybe it was a fluke and the washing of the tractor...I am sure its good as new now.

Glad you got it sorted out quick.

Brad

· #8 · Aug 28, 2011

That is something you would expect to see on a part that had been exposed to the elements for several years, not living in a heated garage.

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 28, 2011

KATT said:
:sorry1: to see that , but at least you can figure out what's wrong !!
I know I catch flack each time I say it, but I NEVER wash my tractors, my engines are very dirty but dry. :trink40:

I didn't even bother with the warranty, I just bought the part.

craigbaill said:
I was shocked when I saw the tractor was YOURS!! Maybe it was a fluke and the washing of the tractor...I am sure its good as new now.

Glad you got it sorted out quick.

I did some research on internet and the solenoid is made by Cole Hersee and they are known to be good product normally.

Brad said:
That is something you would expect to see on a part that had been exposed to the elements for several years, not living in a heated garage.

I totally agree. I was shocked when I open it to see that kind of damage inside the solenoid.

wizzo

· #10 · Aug 29, 2011

Yikes!

Rudolf92

· #11 · Aug 29, 2011

The two small bolts look like they don't have gaskets or o rings around them. Even a small amount of water may not be able to evaporate out if it gets around them. Isn't there 12v always present on the main contacts? Electrolysis?

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 29, 2011

Rudolf92 said:
The two small bolts look like they don't have gaskets or o rings around them. Even a small amount of water may not be able to evaporate out if it gets around them. Isn't there 12v always present on the main contacts? Electrolysis?

I agree the bolts are not seal correctly, electrolysis, yes it's possible.

I thought to drill a hole at the bottom to act as a drain.

Mike Michaels

· #13 · Aug 29, 2011

A drain hole might help, but I doubt it. Several pieces look like they have no anti-corrosion finish on them at all. I think you would be better served by trying to seal the new one with gaskets or RTV so that water can't get in. Or change the way you wash the tractor. I never wash mine with the hood up. I wipe off the engine with a rag to keep it clean. It's not as clean and shiny as I would like but I tell myself it is a working tractor - not a show tractor.

c_becker11

· #14 · Dec 23, 2013

Came across your post...I have an x304 purchased in 2010...do you know which part number I should order...? Or are both the same? The MIU10981 and MIU12537?

SeniorCitizen

· #15 · Dec 23, 2013

The shipping container that solenoid was in fell off the ship but was retrieved.:sidelaugh

PEIDeerefan

· #16 · Dec 24, 2013

That is some nasty rust there stladrill. Are you going to modify it to make it a better design for longer use. Hope they designed it better on my x530. I do see that it is a different part number but probably same manufacturer. I also snowblow a lot and park in heated garage.

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 24, 2013

c_becker11 said:
Came across your post...I have an x304 purchased in 2010...do you know which part number I should order...? Or are both the same? The MIU10981 and MIU12537?

Your's his the MIU12537 model.

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 24, 2013

PEIDeerefan said:
That is some nasty rust there stladrill. Are you going to modify it to make it a better design for longer use. Hope they designed it better on my x530. I do see that it is a different part number but probably same manufacturer. I also snowblow a lot and park in heated garage.

So far so good after 2 years, the only thing I do not do anymore it's pressure wash the engine. :fing32:

It still original no mood on it.

PEIDeerefan

· #19 · Dec 24, 2013

I checked the price on the John Deere parts catalog for my x530 and it lists for $246, I almost fell off the chair. That is one pricey little part.

stladrill

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 24, 2013

PEIDeerefan said:
I checked the price on the John Deere parts catalog for my x530 and it lists for $246, I almost fell off the chair. That is one pricey little part.

It probably come with the starter I guess on your model.:dunno:

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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