[markks]

My 318 is a 1983 with a replacement Onan P218. Has been running extremely well lately. After having the Starter rebuilt.

Today I had it out and was headed to the barn. I ran over a Bump, and it Died Hard!!,, Totally dead. No Lights, nothing.

Pulled it into the garage. I thought it might have blown a fuse, but all were ok, The 25 amp breaker tested ok. I will get a new replacement tomorrow, but believe it to be ok..

The Ignition switch is only about 2-3 months old. The harness going to the switch is tight and well connected. I could not see anything "Abnormal"
What should I be looking for?? It is tough to test the Circuits when the Battery is installed and hiding all the wiring.

 

[markks]

Oh, Battery is charged, terminals clean. Thanks..

 

[E Behm]

Check all connections power and ground starting at the battery.

 

[dhager4692]

You can always make a ******* version of a remote battery location by using jumper cables and setting the battery nearby. Just make sure to not allow bare connectors or terminals to contact each other. This will allow access to the wires, switches, etc and keep battery out of the way.

 

[inspired_metal]

Bad ground, wire or connection that was loose and was jarred off due to the thud.

Just guessing. Check there and then check back.

Dom

 

[chuckv]

Mark,

The '83 318 had press-on (friction fit) connections on the stud terminals of the circuit breaker and over time they can get loose and/or corroded. A good bump is all that is needed to make a poor enough connection that the entire tractor is dead. Most members here have replaced the press-on style terminals with the ring terminals that firmly connect with a nut on the threaded stud.

The circuit breaker on a 30+ year old tractor may also have failed if it is original to the tractor...so consider replacing it as well.

Chuck