J D 1520 gas tractor

[petefarms]

turns over slowly, has 2 new batteries, wont start and with ignition switch off, light on dash lights up. appears to have a shortsomething is draining the batteries any thoughts.

[agmantoo]

Charge the batteries and then disconnect the alternator. It is rather common for the solid state components in the alternator to short causing the battery to discharge. If the batteries remain charged then you have identified the problem. Look at the back end cover of the alternator and see if you can see debris on the finned heat sink. Trash build up on the heat sink can cause the alternator to overheat and cause failure of the components. If you have not done it already clean all the battery connections at the batteries and at the tractor ground and the starter.

[farminghandyman]

Could have bad diodes in the alternator. (causing the lights on the dash light up). and will drain the batteries.

Just had that happen on my 4020. new alternator made it operate correctly.

and the starter my just be fried or dragging, and needs to be replaced/rebuilt,

a few ears ago, I was having problems and it just would not spin over right, (most cars I would have a quick failure, and it normally is easy to tell if it that it was the starter,
but on the tractor it was 30 years old, and the degrade was gradual, (I have a small amp gauge that you hold over the wire, and can get an idea of the pull of the starter and this one was pulling way over what it should.

I replaced it and it made a major difference.

[petefarms]

Thanks, kind of what I figured, maybe have time this pm to start on it. Thanks.