John deere 320d won't crank

[Steel Horse]

320d skidsteer was running perfectly. Parked it for 35 days while out on fire's. When I tried to start it, battery was low and council lights came on but shut off when key was turned on.
I charged the battery, still nothing. I connected a start cart to jump battery and still nothing. Cleaned battery posts and ground. Bucket arms are down so hard to get around engine compartment.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Arny L]

35 days is long enough for a mouse to cause havoc. When you say," charged battery and nothing", what exactly do you mean, crank no start, or no crank. If not cranking, I would get your battery load tested if you can access it, make sure ground cable to frame is clean and tight, Then move on to starter.

 

[Steel Horse]

Hi Arny,
Thanks for the reply. Still doesn't crank. If it were the battery shouldn't it crank with start cart? (jump)
Is there any way to test starter without removing and bench testing?

 

[Arny L]

If you can access starter, take a test light or volt meter, check for 12v at starter wire when you are in crank position. Usually requires helper. Starter wire is small wire on solenoid, next to larger+ battery cable. If 12v is present in crank position, then either starter or solenoid is bad, or you could still have a bad battery cable. To test cables, a voltage drop test is required.

 

[Steel Horse]

Just wanted to thank you for your input. After all troubleshooting and finding nothing wrong other than bad battery. It ended up being jumper cables to small to supply enough amps. Used cables made out of welding leads and it fired right up.
Hard lesson learned...