Mule 2510 Starting Problems.

tradewinds · 08-27-2007

Hello,

I have a 2001 Mule KAF620-A6 2510 4X4. I recently restored the Mule. I am having a problem with starting. About 80% of the time the engine will not turn over properly. It sounds like the starter is draging. Usually if you let of the key and then hit it again it will start properly. If you hold the key the first time eventully it will start just real slow at first.

I put in a new starter and battery. I was going to start looking at cables, grounds, etc. I als heard of key problems in these mules.

Any suggestions where to look next? Anyone have this problem and fix it?

Thanks,

Mike

tradewinds · 08-28-2007

Nobody has had this problem??

Thumperacres · 08-28-2007

Don't have a 2510, but any inconsistent starting concern starts with a check for cleaniness and tightness of all the connections from the battery + and the - terminals. Shiny clean and tight all the way through the circuits from the battery to the starter and back.

muleboy · 09-02-2007

My 1999 Mule 2510 will also turn slowly when first hitting the starter; I thought I had it figured out when I replaced the battery and it seemed good for a while. Then it was back to either slow turning or not able to turn at all. A starter rebuild and cable cleaning did not make any difference.

An overnight battery charge and viola!--rapid starting. What I've read in this forum about poor alternator performance seems to be my problem. If I start and stop a lot, without a lot of running time, it will significantly draw down the battery. I've considered adding an auxiliary alternator to my Mule, but would likely do my own setup considering the Kawasaki alternator setup costs almost $1000.

tradewinds · 09-03-2007

Thanks I will check inot the battery and charging system. Yes, Mine just sits most of the time. And it is only used on short trips anymore.

Mike

tradewinds · 09-07-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleboy

My 1999 Mule 2510 will also turn slowly when first hitting the starter; I thought I had it figured out when I replaced the battery and it seemed good for a while. Then it was back to either slow turning or not able to turn at all. A starter rebuild and cable cleaning did not make any difference.

An overnight battery charge and viola!--rapid starting. What I've read in this forum about poor alternator performance seems to be my problem. If I start and stop a lot, without a lot of running time, it will significantly draw down the battery. I've considered adding an auxiliary alternator to my Mule, but would likely do my own setup considering the Kawasaki alternator setup costs almost $1000.

I think you are right. I charged mine and it started great. I think I did not notice in the past because the battery died when we where on a trip and I put in a Lawnmower battery that had more cranking amps. I then replaced it with the battery that belongs and I started having the slow starting.

I think I am going to install a trickle charging kit.

Thanks,
Mike

muleboy · 09-10-2007

I put a lawn tractor battery in my 2510, too. $16.95 at Tractor Supply, with 3 times the capacity of the OEM battery. It did last a long time until it started to slow down in starting the mule. I'm thinking on-board trickle charger for my Mule, too. A lot cheaper and simpler than the auxiliary alternator setup.
MB

hawkmtn · 12-27-2007

had pretty much the same problem, went to tractor supply and for 9 bucks I picked up a small float charging unit, now when my mules not in use, I plug it in and that little unit maintains my battery, so well in fact the original battery I got with it is still in use 4 years now.

TimsMule · 03-04-2008

I have the same problem with my mule and have replaced the starter, battery and checked wires. I was at a loss. The solution with a float charge sounds good.

TimsMule · 03-06-2008

I have the same problem and was wondering if you connected two bateries in parallel it would give you more power but still at 12v. It may not last for ever but it may not need charging as soon. Any thoughts

renov8r · 1 Week Ago

I have a '96 2510 A2. Mine was making noise when it would start and got to the point where it wouldn't turn over. The sprocket gear on the camshaft was plastic and missing about 1/2 the gear teeth. The new one I ordered had a metal sprocket gear. No problems since, other than I can't figure out why it overheats.

renov8r · 1 Week Ago

I do have a full size car battery in mine!

08-27-2007	#1 (permalink)
tradewinds Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Mule 2510 Starting Problems. Hello, I have a 2001 Mule KAF620-A6 2510 4X4. I recently restored the Mule. I am having a problem with starting. About 80% of the time the engine will not turn over properly. It sounds like the starter is draging. Usually if you let of the key and then hit it again it will start properly. If you hold the key the first time eventully it will start just real slow at first. I put in a new starter and battery. I was going to start looking at cables, grounds, etc. I als heard of key problems in these mules. Any suggestions where to look next? Anyone have this problem and fix it? Thanks, Mike

08-28-2007	#3 (permalink)
Thumperacres Foil Inspector BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2006 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 120	Don't have a 2510, but any inconsistent starting concern starts with a check for cleaniness and tightness of all the connections from the battery + and the - terminals. Shiny clean and tight all the way through the circuits from the battery to the starter and back. __________________ Max from Thumper Acres, home of the single cylinder 4 stroke motorcycle.

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08-28-2007	#2 (permalink)
tradewinds Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Nobody has had this problem??

09-02-2007	#4 (permalink)
muleboy Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23	My 1999 Mule 2510 will also turn slowly when first hitting the starter; I thought I had it figured out when I replaced the battery and it seemed good for a while. Then it was back to either slow turning or not able to turn at all. A starter rebuild and cable cleaning did not make any difference. An overnight battery charge and viola!--rapid starting. What I've read in this forum about poor alternator performance seems to be my problem. If I start and stop a lot, without a lot of running time, it will significantly draw down the battery. I've considered adding an auxiliary alternator to my Mule, but would likely do my own setup considering the Kawasaki alternator setup costs almost $1000.

09-03-2007	#5 (permalink)
tradewinds Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks I will check inot the battery and charging system. Yes, Mine just sits most of the time. And it is only used on short trips anymore. Mike

09-10-2007	#7 (permalink)
muleboy Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23	I put a lawn tractor battery in my 2510, too. $16.95 at Tractor Supply, with 3 times the capacity of the OEM battery. It did last a long time until it started to slow down in starting the mule. I'm thinking on-board trickle charger for my Mule, too. A lot cheaper and simpler than the auxiliary alternator setup. MB

12-27-2007	#8 (permalink)
hawkmtn Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NY Posts: 14	had pretty much the same problem, went to tractor supply and for 9 bucks I picked up a small float charging unit, now when my mules not in use, I plug it in and that little unit maintains my battery, so well in fact the original battery I got with it is still in use 4 years now.

03-04-2008	#9 (permalink)
TimsMule Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	I have the same problem with my mule and have replaced the starter, battery and checked wires. I was at a loss. The solution with a float charge sounds good.

03-06-2008	#10 (permalink)
TimsMule Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	I have the same problem and was wondering if you connected two bateries in parallel it would give you more power but still at 12v. It may not last for ever but it may not need charging as soon. Any thoughts

1 Week Ago	#11 (permalink)
renov8r Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	I have a '96 2510 A2. Mine was making noise when it would start and got to the point where it wouldn't turn over. The sprocket gear on the camshaft was plastic and missing about 1/2 the gear teeth. The new one I ordered had a metal sprocket gear. No problems since, other than I can't figure out why it overheats.

1 Week Ago	#12 (permalink)
renov8r Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	I do have a full size car battery in mine!

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