873 still won't start

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slewpumper

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Mar 18, 2007
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Ok here is the problem. I bought the skidloader about a month ago. Bobcat started right up no problem. Gradually it started to crank over slower and slower. I assumed it was the battery so I pulled the battery and had it checked. Battery checked out ok but was a group size 24 and machine should have a group size 31 so I replaced it with a new one. I then today went and had the alternater checked and it checked out OK. Put the alternater back in and new battery and I still now only get a click. I am assuming the starter is the problem now but have never had a starter gradually get weaker and weaker. Any advice or ideas would be great. This website site has been a life saver for me so far seeing I know very little about skidloaders. Bobcat is a 1995 with a deutz diesel.
 

sterlclan

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May 1, 2004
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how do the battery cables look? Ive seen this on cars and trucks the cable gets corroded on the inside and causes too much resistance ..........Jeff
 

Fishfiles

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Feb 8, 2007
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I would load test the battery , if good , then I would have the load tester on the battery terminals with the load not applied , using it as a voltage meter , then hit the stater , if the voltage drops below 9 volts and your battery cables and connections are clean and good , it about 95 % the starter is bad ---------- it could be the motor or pump binding causing the problem , taking off the drive belt will isolate the motor from the pump
 

Tazza

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I would load test the battery , if good , then I would have the load tester on the battery terminals with the load not applied , using it as a voltage meter , then hit the stater , if the voltage drops below 9 volts and your battery cables and connections are clean and good , it about 95 % the starter is bad ---------- it could be the motor or pump binding causing the problem , taking off the drive belt will isolate the motor from the pump
It is possible for the starter to go bad too, as the brushes wear it does get harder to crank the engine as its not getting full power to the rotor. I would start checking battery voltage with the key in the start posistion and check battery voltage. It should be 12 or more if its not cranking. If the voltage is a lot lower you have a dud battery. When cranking the voltage will obviously dip quite a bit.
Usually when there is a battery or cable problem the starter will constantly click as the solenoid engages but thre isn't enough power to crank the motor and the voltage drops from the load on the motor and the solenoid releases. Then the power comes back and the process repeats with a CLICK CLICK CLICK sound. If its a cable you should feel a fair amount of heat at the fitting too because of the higher resistance.
 

siduramaxde

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Nov 15, 2005
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362
It is possible for the starter to go bad too, as the brushes wear it does get harder to crank the engine as its not getting full power to the rotor. I would start checking battery voltage with the key in the start posistion and check battery voltage. It should be 12 or more if its not cranking. If the voltage is a lot lower you have a dud battery. When cranking the voltage will obviously dip quite a bit.
Usually when there is a battery or cable problem the starter will constantly click as the solenoid engages but thre isn't enough power to crank the motor and the voltage drops from the load on the motor and the solenoid releases. Then the power comes back and the process repeats with a CLICK CLICK CLICK sound. If its a cable you should feel a fair amount of heat at the fitting too because of the higher resistance.
I had this happen on an 863 (same motor as 873). It was the starter.
 
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slewpumper

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Mar 18, 2007
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I had this happen on an 863 (same motor as 873). It was the starter.
Thanks guys, I pulled the starter yesterday. The end drive gear barely spins when voltage applied. I have seen these starters on ebay any where from $408 to $139. Think I will take it in to the Miesh Brothers and have it rebuilt. Will let you all know. Thanks again!
 
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slewpumper

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Mar 18, 2007
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Thanks guys, I pulled the starter yesterday. The end drive gear barely spins when voltage applied. I have seen these starters on ebay any where from $408 to $139. Think I will take it in to the Miesh Brothers and have it rebuilt. Will let you all know. Thanks again!
Ok I got the starter fixed. The Miesh brothers pulled it apart and the brushes were stuck and the inside was all curroded from moisture. I suspect maybe this was caused by the skid loader being primarily used for blowing snow. Anyways $33 dollars later it is fixed. What gets me is I took the alternater to Napa to have it checked and they said they couldn't because of the brand. I took it to the Miesh brothers and they had no problem. Now you gotta understand the Miesh brothers (actually the one brother passed away last year) are around the age of 80 years old. When you go into their shop you have to wade through the pile up old starters, generaters, alternaters and other stuff. You wouldn't think that they could find a thing in the shop but they know where everything is at. The bill was rung up on an old electric cash register and old Joe fixed it while I watched. Its to bad there isn't more shops like this around. They sure put the big boys at Napa to shame.
 

charger

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Dec 28, 2006
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74
Ok I got the starter fixed. The Miesh brothers pulled it apart and the brushes were stuck and the inside was all curroded from moisture. I suspect maybe this was caused by the skid loader being primarily used for blowing snow. Anyways $33 dollars later it is fixed. What gets me is I took the alternater to Napa to have it checked and they said they couldn't because of the brand. I took it to the Miesh brothers and they had no problem. Now you gotta understand the Miesh brothers (actually the one brother passed away last year) are around the age of 80 years old. When you go into their shop you have to wade through the pile up old starters, generaters, alternaters and other stuff. You wouldn't think that they could find a thing in the shop but they know where everything is at. The bill was rung up on an old electric cash register and old Joe fixed it while I watched. Its to bad there isn't more shops like this around. They sure put the big boys at Napa to shame.
thats a perfect answer from a napa store! you gotta remember they want to sell you a new starter so by not being able to test it,they know that most people have no patience and will just buy a new one!!!
 

sar4937

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Jun 28, 2005
Messages
21
thats a perfect answer from a napa store! you gotta remember they want to sell you a new starter so by not being able to test it,they know that most people have no patience and will just buy a new one!!!
Napa's tester uses premade harnesses to energize the regulator. They look in a book, pull the correct adapter, clamp it in the machine and test it- so easy a cavemen can do it. Except the partsmen nowdays are not even shade tree mechanics in a lot of cases. That harness that they needed was probably in their collection, but the book only lists cars and trucks.
 
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