Ok I have been around off and on ,and I bought an 2003 LS170 which has been a solid machine. I fired it up yesterday to unload an post hole digger from a truck.She started like normal droe over to the drive to take off my grapple bucket.Shut the loader off then turned the key on to take pressure off the quick couplers like I always do. I then went to start the loader up to take the bucket off,and I hit the key and just here a click at the relay. I checked all battery connections and they are clean. I got an error code one time on the dash one time F 04 No longer showed up while trying to start it. I sit in the seat,click the belt and close the door.I get no count down ,and all I get is a on/off clicking sound which seems to be coming from the fuse/relay compartment.The whole EIC dash flashes off and on when you try to turn the key to start. It got dark out so I haven't checked the fuses yet. Is there an wiring diagram available online? I don't believe I have a battery issue as it cranked great when I had started it. I then thought perhaps the starter had locked up,But think that is unlikley as it hasn't ever shown signs of dragging. I seemed to think i have some sort of wiring or electrical sensor issue all of a sudden. I thought i would ask to see who had any other experiances with this issue and were I could start my trouble shooting at tomorrow morning? Thanks Guys
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First place to look is the battery. That is the way these batteries fail. One moment they work and the next they don't. They short out so bad that you can not even jump start them. If you have help and have a volt meter, have someone in the seat with the seat belt fastened and hold the key in the start position while you have the voltmeter on the battery. I think you will find the battery voltage will drop to 0.
If you do not have help or a volt meter, remove the battery cables and install 3/8" bolts in the cable terminals. Jump to the bolts attached to the cable watching that you do not touch metal with the positive cable.
If you do not have help or a volt meter, remove the battery cables and install 3/8" bolts in the cable terminals. Jump to the bolts attached to the cable watching that you do not touch metal with the positive cable.
Mike, I think you might be right.I didn't think it could be the battery as it cranked and worked just fine right before.I know we did try to jump it that night and it didn't seem to make much of a difference either. So I just got a chance and went out and checked fuses and they all check good.I did notice my light fuse up inside the cab has got hot and melted some at some point in time. I was by myself and with no help I checked the battery voltage and i had 12.43volts I flipped the service switch and turned on the key the fuel pump ran and I tried to start it but nothing. I left the key on and checked the battery voltage it was hovering around 4 volts. So I think your right the battery crapped out all out once.Never had that happen in all the machines and cars i've had.Had them lose charge over time but just crap out is crazy. Now I am going to see how in the world i can wrestle the battery out of it with the loader arms down.Definatly not going to be fun.That will be tomorrow project i guess.
Bad cells in batteries can really give a guy a run around if you don't check for it first. They go all of a sudden, show 12 volts if you check with a std voltmeter and can cause real fustrations. First time I ever had one, I think I spend several hours going threw the safety system on a JD compact tractor, billing hours didn't look too good that day.
Jackel440, I hope this post is late and that you have resolved your problem. If not, I have a LS170 that I had similar problems with. As Mike said, first start with the battery. If that is not the problem, check the battery connection at the starter. If found that sometimes I could wiggle the wires at that joint and get it to start. I took the wires (3) off at that point, cleaned the wire ends and the post, and it worked for a while. I finally replaced the starter and it seems to have fixed the problem. I took the old starter apart and could not see any problems but as I said, it's working good now. Good Luck, Tim
I know it is probably to late now, but you can do as I stated and remove the cables from the battery and jump directly to the cables to start the engine and raise the boom. I had a set of short cables made which I attach to the machines battery cables and to a new battery so I can start the engine and raise the boom.
No its not too late.LOL! I work some screwed up 3rd shift style hours so I don't get much done here lately.I did check the starter connections and they were tight.I stilll am baffled on how this battery crapped all of a sudden.When I checked it with the key on and it showed 4.o volts I knew it was toast. New Holland lists one online for $112 ,but I thought i would call napa and see if they have a better deal on one. I will have to remove the cables like you said and jump directly to them and try to start it up.I sure hope that works as I figured I can unhook the lift cylinder and raise the arms up with the nieghbors backhoe high enough to get the lock pins engaged. Sure would just be easier to start it though. I will be going to bed in a few minutes ,and hopefully I get up with enough time to try and start it by jumping directly to the cables. I will post what happens tonight when I get up and outside.
Well I have a little problem.My jumper cables have been left at the campground so I am not going to be getting this thing started today unless I can get a set from the nieghbor.So I'm at a standstill for the moment.
UPDATE!!! Ok got home from work this morning and the wife and I tore into the skidloader.I put bolts in the cables then tried to directly jump start the skid loader and all she would do is crank a little bit then quit.We tried to jump it from the jeep ,and then we tried it off the 1ton.Cranked a little bit better but no go.SO I gave up and got the pinch bar from the shop worked the bucket off the front of the loader.I then unhooked the cylinders then jacked the loader up with my Hi-lift jack. Took us a while to wrestle the dang battery out of her.Wife said it was just like giving birth!LOL! After we got the new one in and bolted in the support for the exhaust.I got the cables hooked back up then let the arms down off the jack.The wife crawled back in and she fired up like a new one! Hooked the cylinders back up and put all the side covers back on.Then I handed out cigars.LMAO! Now time for bed then get back up around 4pm and go drill some post hole for a new fence for the horse pastures.
Good to hear you got it started, shame it was so hard to gain access.... I love the bobcat design, open the rear door and the battery is right there
Sounds like a fun time, you must have one of those bottomless pit batteries you can not jump to save yourself, they just suck it all up.Good to hear you got it started, shame it was so hard to gain access.... I love the bobcat design, open the rear door and the battery is right there
skidsteer.ca
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You should have unhooked the loader battery and boasted on the cables only. If you have a good set of jumpers I can't hardly see how that would not have been enough to get you started and the boom up.
Unfortunately the NH is not well suited for battery replacement with the boom down, though the side panels can be removed out the back with the loader down.
Ken
I run an LX885, and have had the same issue with trying to jump start it. I installed an insulated lug inside the rear door that connects to the positive side of the battery with a number 4 cable. Now all I need to do for a jump is clamp to that lug, and the ground to a clean spot on the chassis. Saved my bacon a few times when the battery was getting weak. I also try to always park it with the boom up, and the boom lock engaged. That decision came after I replaced the starter with the boom down last winter. Not a fun job sitting on top of the engine, sorta standing on your head to get the starter out and back in in 20 degree F weather.
A note on jumper cables...Buy a set with at least four gauge wire. You'll be happy you did!
