No start

[Robyn2778]

Can anyone tell me why my 65 bobcat m500 won't start. Has power to the lights and ignition light but doesn't make a sound at all when trying to turn over. Blew a hydraulic line on bucket 2 weeks ago, replaced and still won't start. What am I missing???

 

[brdgbldr]

Can anyone tell me why my 65 bobcat m500 won't start. Has power to the lights and ignition light but doesn't make a sound at all when trying to turn over. Blew a hydraulic line on bucket 2 weeks ago, replaced and still won't start. What am I missing???

I am not familiar with that older machine but have you checked the fuses?

Also, check for any wiring that may have been knocked loose or shorted out when you had the hose leak and replaced the line.

Other than that, it is always a good idea to clean and tighten battery terminals and any grounding points, clean all connectors with a contact cleaner.

 

[Robyn2778]

I have not checked fuses. Thank you I will try that

 

[[email protected]]

I have not checked fuses. Thank you I will try that

Is this gas or diesel? You have a light with the Key on. This could be a fuse, Starter issue, Bad Ground. If it does not turn over at all. Battery could be shorted when the system calls for more voltage to the starter. If it doesn't turn over.

 

[Robyn2778]

It has a newer Honda gas motor

 

[foton]

I would think it might have a low engine oil cut off switch, make sure the engine is full of oil and then disconnect the switch and small sensor box , it kills the coil if activated or if is bad so no spark. you should be able to find videos on you tube to help repair of this engine.

 

[Robyn2778]

Checked oil and full

 

[mrbb]

lets tart with simple things,
have you checked the battery by load testing it?(not just checking voltage reading)
as a low battery will not have enough power to start things, but can light up switched and such
so, start with making sure battery is good
then check voltage at starter

is there a safety switch under seat , or seat belt switch, or likes,
if so, make sure that they are working , as if not , they can l prevent things from starting


and when you checked fuses, did you use a meter to rule out a bad fuse, or power to them?

 

[Robyn2778]

I'll be honest I have not had time to check fuses as that is my next step. This year machine does not have any safety features such as seat or belt. I have not checked the battery, I was going by the lights still fully working. However I will add battery into the mix. Thank you

 

[[email protected]]

Check the Ground cable where it is connected to the motor. You said it's a Honda and is a newer motor.
OK the what you need to check if it turns over is the basics. It must have Fuel, spark and compression. Then it should start. If not then go to the battery or as one said a low oil switch. I know you have a good oil reading but things do go bad. All wires to the starter connected? At the starter? Relay for the starter? check that also for wire connections. What is the size of this engine? Honda but what is it in size? Out of time may cause this also. I doubt that it jumped time but who knows. Post what you find if you find the problem. It will help other down the road.

 

[Robyn2778]

Determined it was a bad starter. Waiting on new one to come in. However while going through the machine, I noticed the battery terminals were opposite. Positive was grounded and neg ran to starter. Does this make sense? It's a newer gas Honda motor.

 

[[email protected]]

Determined it was a bad starter. Waiting on new one to come in. However while going through the machine, I noticed the battery terminals were opposite. Positive was grounded and neg ran to starter. Does this make sense? It's a newer gas Honda motor.

How did you determine it was Opposite. If by color +red and -black then I can only guess that who ever assembled it had had placed the cable colors on in Reverse of standard I listed. Matters not the cable color more that it went to the correct motor connections Like battery cable + to selinoid, or starter and ground the other cable to the frame or what they use. Unless there are reasons for this that changed things but I doubt that.

 

[Robyn2778]

The cable that was connected to the positive on battery was grounded to the frame.

 

[[email protected]]

Is this how it was new? Or was it worked on since then? You're correct it makes no sense at all. Someone crossed the cables then.

 

[Robyn2778]

I boughtvthe machine 2 months ago. Ran it for 1 day when this issues accured. The machine started up and ran multiple times. So I was thrown off when I saw the cables were switched. The guy I bought it from had just put a new battery in. I'm wondering if this is what killed the starter?

 

[foton]

I am assuming that unless someone has changed it up that honda is set up for 12 volt negative ground, so I would go over anything electric like hour meters, volt meters ,lights and such and confirm that all is wired to negative ground circuit and wire battery to match. some old ford and other english/european tractors and cars were positive ground but also 6 volt mostly. someone just maybe had a mind fart. hahahaha

 

[[email protected]]

I am assuming that unless someone has changed it up that honda is set up for 12 volt negative ground, so I would go over anything electric like hour meters, volt meters ,lights and such and confirm that all is wired to negative ground circuit and wire battery to match. some old ford and other english/european tractors and cars were positive ground but also 6 volt mostly. someone just maybe had a mind fart. hahahaha

I agree for some reason this started with it like this so he said. I also agree about the old positive - as in some old 6 volts. But this one is Odd. This may be the only reason the starter failed but not sure that.
One way to find out is reverse them now and restart. If possible to see if the starter drive will actuate bench test.

 

[Robyn2778]

I tested battery, starter and alt. And yes I switched terminals and nothing. The starter was fire hot. I brought starter to parts store where they were able to test it and it was seized.

 

[Robyn2778]

Will be installing a new one today, will let you know how it goes

 

[mikelv]

Dont honda engines run counter clockwise? Perhaps the person that installed it thought he needed to reverse the ground for that. In any case if the engine did start and run in the wrong rotation (would run poorly) wouldn't that prevent the starter drive from disengaging? A starter that cannot disengage will burn up quickly. I have seen many starters that have splined grooves in the armature shaft to retract the starter drive. Rotated the wrong way they will force the drive to stay engaged. That starter does have the splined grooves. Pic below.