John Deere 3020 battery issues

[John L 3020]

Hello, when I went to start my 3020 today, it only gave clicks at the starter. After that, I lost all power - no dash lights, headlights or ignition. After sitting for about 5 mins I regained accessory power but I couldn’t get it to crank even with jumper cables. I checked for bad battery connections and corroded cables, but I didn’t find any. I’m a little worried because the battery is a Deere strongbox and it’s only been in the tractor for 8 months, and the tractor has always been a good starter. The last battery only lasted a year and a half. Does this sound like a battery failing, or is there something else I should check? Fuses? Deere said they would replace the battery under warranty if needed, but I checked it with a small load tester and it only came back as very slightly weak. Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Hello, when I went to start my 3020 today, it only gave clicks at the starter. After that, I lost all power - no dash lights, headlights or ignition. After sitting for about 5 mins I regained accessory power but I couldn’t get it to crank even with jumper cables. I checked for bad battery connections and corroded cables, but I didn’t find any. I’m a little worried because the battery is a Deere strongbox and it’s only been in the tractor for 8 months, and the tractor has always been a good starter. The last battery only lasted a year and a half. Does this sound like a battery failing, or is there something else I should check? Fuses? Deere said they would replace the battery under warranty if needed, but I checked it with a small load tester and it only came back as very slightly weak. Any ideas?
Thanks

Sounds like battery -singular- so it's a gas ? Where did you hook the jumper cables? To the battery? Did you try hooking jumper cables right to the starter? Sounds like hidden corrosion. Unfortunately corrosion can build under insulation, unseen.

 

[John L 3020]

Yes it’s a gas. I’ll look more carefully into the corrosion, I used the tractor two days ago and it started fine. Unfortunately I think the John Deere batteries have been lacking in quality recently…

 

[Jim.ME]

Make sure the tractor is in neutral, or park. Jump between the battery post of starter solenoid and the start terminal of the solenoid. If it cranks the engine the problem is most likely between the solenoid and the ignition switch, or its power source.

Do you have a VOM/Multimeter to trouble shoot with?

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Yes it’s a gas. I’ll look more carefully into the corrosion, I used the tractor two days ago and it started fine. Unfortunately I think the John Deere batteries have been lacking in quality recently…

More thoughts- The ground cable is probably very short- running from the side mounted battery to the trans cover? Should be able to reach in there with an end wrench and check it/clean it/ move it? Maybe try bypassing both the ground and positive cables with jumper cables?

 

[JD Dave]

The issue deserves a complete analysis with a multimeter. Is the battery fully charged? Slow charge for 12-24 hours. Load test. Check and clean every connection. Is the alternator/generator charging? Multimeter! When running at 1,200 - 1,500 rpms, you should see 13 - 14.5 volts across the battery.

 

[John L 3020]

Yes the battery is completely charged, but when I turned the key it drops to 5/6 volts. The alternator does charge. When I did try to start it, there was a little smoke from the starter, what would that be a side effect from? Low voltage? I will clean the ground cable connection right now.

 

[da.bees]

Make sure the tractor is in neutral, or park. Jump between the battery post of starter solenoid and the start terminal of the solenoid. If it cranks the engine the problem is most likely between the solenoid and the ignition switch, or its power source.

Do you have a VOM/Multimeter to trouble shoot with?

The issue deserves a complete analysis with a multimeter. Is the battery fully charged? Slow charge for 12-24 hours. Load test. Check and clean every connection. Is the alternator/generator charging? Multimeter! When running at 1,200 - 1,500 rpms, you should see 13 - 14.5 volts across the battery.

A 14 year old girl using a vom can diagnosis this quicker than half dozen old men 500 miles away working blind.

 

[trackrat]

bad connection or bad starter solenoid

 

[Jim.ME]

A 14 year old girl using a vom can diagnosis this quicker than half dozen old men 500 miles away working blind.

Do you suppose that would be why I asked if he has one?

 

[John L 3020]

Yes I do, but the battery is out of the tractor right now.

 

[used red MN]

A 14 year old girl using a vom can diagnosis this quicker than half dozen old men 500 miles away working blind.

What are you drinking today? Or is that just your medication. You also interjected some flim-flam on the Farmall H battery thread.