Bobcat 763 won't start

[pcollinsh]

When I turn my key, all the lights come on, and I hear a click, but the starter will not engage or anything. If I use a screw driver and connect the positive battery cable end on the starter to the small terminal on the starter, it cranks the engine. Any suggestions as to why turning the key will not engage the starter?

 

[antfarmer2]

I would start by cleaning and tighten all connections + and - start at the battery

 

[OldMachinist]

I would start by cleaning and tighten all connections + and - start at the battery

The start relay may be going bad. Try swapping the start relay with the one from the lights.
763 and 763H the relays are on the left hand side of the engine bay.
763G they are between your legs when sitting in the seat.

 

[Tazza]

The start relay may be going bad. Try swapping the start relay with the one from the lights.
763 and 763H the relays are on the left hand side of the engine bay.
763G they are between your legs when sitting in the seat.

I like the idea of the relay, as you can crank it when jumped means the battery is good and the cables to the starter are good., it has to be something that feeds power to the starter solenoid as OM mentioned.

 

[pcollinsh]

I like the idea of the relay, as you can crank it when jumped means the battery is good and the cables to the starter are good., it has to be something that feeds power to the starter solenoid as OM mentioned.

I replaced the negative battery cable and removed and cleaned all connections. Still would not crank. I "jumped" it by using the using the screwdriver on the starter posts again. Worked until lunch. After lunch I came back and tried the key just to see what would happen. IT STARTED BY USING THE KEY!??????

 

[OldMachinist]

I replaced the negative battery cable and removed and cleaned all connections. Still would not crank. I "jumped" it by using the using the screwdriver on the starter posts again. Worked until lunch. After lunch I came back and tried the key just to see what would happen. IT STARTED BY USING THE KEY!??????

Still wouldn't hurt to have a look at the relay. The terminals may be corroded.

 

[reaperman]

Still wouldn't hurt to have a look at the relay. The terminals may be corroded.

I'm with OM, my machine had the same symptoms. Once in a while it would start and other times it would just click. I swapped relays with the headlights and it started right up. Then I would turn on the lights, sometimes they would work and sometimes they wouldnt. Relays arent like a fuse. Once a fuse blows, thats it, but a relay can work intermittently until it dies. In fact, just this past weekend the traction fuse was acting up on me. At times it would release the park brake and sometimes it wouldnt. A new relay fixed the issue.

 

[antfarmer2]

I'm with OM, my machine had the same symptoms. Once in a while it would start and other times it would just click. I swapped relays with the headlights and it started right up. Then I would turn on the lights, sometimes they would work and sometimes they wouldnt. Relays arent like a fuse. Once a fuse blows, thats it, but a relay can work intermittently until it dies. In fact, just this past weekend the traction fuse was acting up on me. At times it would release the park brake and sometimes it wouldnt. A new relay fixed the issue.

I agree with both but I alway check the free and easy first

 

[antfarmer2]

I agree with both but I alway check the free and easy first

Have evan seen where loose starter bolts do this

 

[totaleq0111]

Have evan seen where loose starter bolts do this

Felt like throwing my two cents in...could be a bad keyswitch when the thing wont start with the switch try using a DVM or test light to check that voltage is present at the back of the keyswitch on the terminal labeled S or ST should be the one in the middle if i remember correctly