My Bobcat 763 Diesel was stuck in a ditch at a 45 deg. angle, engine at bottom. I shut it down initially, then tried starting. Engine turned over but wouldn't start. Then engine would only "click" and not turnover when trying to start. Finally removed it from the ditch (after much time and effort) and it is on level ground. Turn key and only "clicks"....PLEASE HELP!!!!!
If this had happened out of the blue, I'd say that you have bad contacts in the solenoid. But given the back story you might not be that lucky. I'd check to be sure the engine isn't locked up, can you reach the front of the engine to turn it over by hand? Then is the battery charged back up? Then if you can reach, put test leads on both sides of the solenoid and see what's getting power when it clicks.
Delmer, thanks for your answer...what do you mean by "might not be that lucky"? When you say "front of the engine" do you mean looking at the engine from the rear of the machine, and the turn the turbine on the lefts idle of the block? Sorry for my novice questions. Could it be the starter is locked up? Phil
Welcome to the Forums neworleans70! First check your battery connections. Second check your battery. If the battery terminals are clean and tight and your battery is fully charged, then look at your starter. That's what I would look at first. I'm no mechanic, so if it's beyond those issues we'll have to rely on some of our other members who are much more knowledgeable to chime in.
While checking the battery connections also check the connections at the starter. If you have a volt meter check voltage at the battery before trying to start and then have someone try to crank it while checking volts. Would not hurt to try jumping it off a truck or car.
Thanks, CM. Will try what you suggested and let you know. Phil
some possibilities in no particular order 1. battery dead (drained from cranking) 2. solenoid contacts burned out (possible, but typically happens over time) 3. starter fried (from cranking too long without rest to cool off) 4. engine locked up (not likely, but some engines can leak oil into the intake at extreme angles and hydrolock a cylinder, so it wouldn't hurt to see if you can turn the engine over by hand before risking further damage) 5. loose connection (could happen easily if the battery shifted, or just from the heat of cranking too much) If you can turn the engine, then the voltage reading somewhere will narrow it down. The voltage from both sides of the solenoid is best in my mind. Did you crank this a while before it clicked? did the starter slow down before it stopped or didn't start? If yes, then just charge it up and ignore all the rest of this.
Turns out it was the battery!
Glad you solved the problem and reported back. Everyone appreciates that. By the way, I have a 763 F Live in Covington, LA Next time you head over to Barkers Corner by Lee Road, give me a ring and we can meet at Diane's for a coffee. Always like to get together with fellow Bobcat owners. (especially 763's !!) Eight nine three 52 four one.