Battery won't stay charged

[tambo]

I have a Ford 2120 tractor. It's always been finicky when trying to start it. When trying to start it here lately, if it doesn't start pretty quick, it drains the battery. I thought it was my battery so I purchased a new one. I charged it a little before putting it on. The tractor started right up and I let it run a pretty good while then turned it off. I started it back up, took it to my shed to air the tires up turned it off. I had to start it again to move it up a little to fill the other tire turned it off. I got back on it to take it back to the barn the battery was down, all the way down to where the indicator lights wouldn't even come on.

Any guesses to what's running the battery down so quick? The gear shift has to be just right to start the thing but it would always finally start. It started draining the battery thing about the end of mowing season last year.

I would be inclined to think that you have a bad wire connection somewhere . Battery terminal , etc . For something to draw a good battery dead in that length of time , I would think something would be smoking .

[logbuilder]

I think I'd take the battery to a local auto parts store and have them load test it. They usually do this for free.

I'd also use a volt meter and see if the alt/gen is really charging when it is running.

[tambo]

I charged the battery up. Now when I turn the key on, no indicator lights come on and the fuel hand doesn't move or anything. Does that mean the ignition switch went bad? I found some fuses and they are all still good.

[logbuilder]

Originally Posted by tambo

I charged the battery up. Now when I turn the key on, no indicator lights come on and the fuel hand doesn't move or anything. Does that mean the ignition switch went bad? I found some fuses and they are all still good.

Hopefully you have and know how to use a multi-meter. Trace current from battery poles to the switch and then out to your gauges.

[Dutchofsc]

Sounds to me like a relay, ignition switch or some other kind of switch. I'm not familiar with your tractor, so I can't tell for sure. On certain models, you can hear a click when you turn the ignition on. That is a relay that engages the main line power. It uses an electromagnet to pull in a set of contacts. Those coils can go bad, and the contacts can go bad also. Usually you have to replace the assembly. Try to find the relay and check for power there. Let us know what you find. Pictures would be helpful.

[Dutchofsc]

http://www.tractorforum.com/f203/ford-2120-a-20697/

See if his helps any

[Dutchofsc]

http://www.tractorjoe.com/parts/p/31...?c=105&sc=1378

Look for this part and check for power. A big wire should go from the battery, and another big wire should go to a fuse box or other electrical devices. You should have power on that wire when the key switch is in the on position.

Next you can check the key switch. One wire should have power all the time, the other should have power when the key is in the on position. If only one wire has power in the on position, the problem could be the key switch.

[alleyyooper]

Seems to me a simple test light would let you know if the battery had juice in it. if it does then measure how much. No sense going into all the other stuff if the battery is totally dead which can happen to a new battery.
Get that load test done.

Al

[tambo]

Originally Posted by Dutchofsc

Sounds to me like a relay, ignition switch or some other kind of switch. I'm not familiar with your tractor, so I can't tell for sure. On certain models, you can hear a click when you turn the ignition on. That is a relay that engages the main line power. It uses an electromagnet to pull in a set of contacts. Those coils can go bad, and the contacts can go bad also. Usually you have to replace the assembly. Try to find the relay and check for power there. Let us know what you find. Pictures would be helpful.

I do hear a click when I try to start it usually. It hasn't been clicking like usual. I did go back out last night and when I turned the key on all the indicator lights came on but not for long. Thanks I think I will start at that relay if I can find it. Thanks again.

[tambo]

I unhooked the cables to the battery first thing and the battery is still showing a good charge.

I think it's my ignition switch. I have it tight but the part where the wires clip on moves around. I tried to take it off but couldn't figure out how. I took the locking ring off the outside panel thinking it would come off but nope. I will try again when this cold front moves through.

I wiggled the part of the switch the wires clip to around until I got it to work every time I would turn the key on until I put everything back together and all the tools put up. Got on it to start it and no power again.

I will try again when it warms up.

[logbuilder]

When you say the battery has a good charge, how are you measuring that?

Voltage can look OK but under load there may be no amps. Generally characteristic of a bad plate.

Load test.

Or try another battery. Maybe one from an auto. Your tractor is 12v, right?

[tambo]

I unhooked the cables and put the charger to it. This is the battery i bought thinking the first battery was bad. The first one is ok too. I do have a tester with a load switch, I will check it again with it.

[HuskyBoris]

if your battery passes the load test check those relays and the starter itself or starter wiring,make sure all your grounds are clean as well as you power wires