Ford 8N having trouble starting -- many troubleshooting steps take -- suggestions?

[Soundguy]

yep.. most people don't understand the relationship between voltage and charge level on a battery. Many think it is linear.. when in reality. missing a volt and a half static is HUGE

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks for the help, guys. I actually get most of the battery stuff because we live off-grid -- we have a large solar array, battery bank, etc. Checking the charge and maintaining batteries is something I do frequently... well.. clearly not frequently enough for the tractor.

OK so more news, not the greatest. The tractor died twice on the road and bringing a battery the battery back and forth after giving it a couple hour charge enabled the tractor to run for 20 to 30 minutes. This clearly seems like a battery that is near dead to begin with, drawn down, and a faulty alternator. While the tractor was running I measured the battery at 12.60 (fresh after pulling off of the charger, tractor running) and only about 12.4 at the alternator. I will research replacing the alternator.

In other news I found out why the battery was dying so quick on the tractor -- the starter is getting stuck and running while the tractor is on. At first I thought it was my start button (aftermarket, not OEM Ford) so I pulled the wires off and that seemed to get it to try and start without having a run away starter but the battery was already near dead by this point. Later when I charged the battery again I tried starting *with the wires* and not the push button and the starter still kept on running after I stopped touching the wire ends. A local guy came over and felt sorry for me -- he recommended a place nearby that will rebuild the starter. Am I correct in thinking it has to be the starter and not the solenoid?

Thanks for all of the help guys. This thing would be dead on the side of the road without your help.

[94BULLITT]

You probably have a bad solenoid. I noticed in the video you posted when you were trying to start it the starter kicked out so it would not hurt to have it rebuilt. The same guy should be able to fix the alternator.

[Soundguy]

starters run with power.. not magic.

if the solenoid is NOT staying engaged..t here is NOTHING to run the starter.

check the solenoid.

it is VERY COMMON for solenoid contacts to weld when dealing with dead batteries.

that said.

if the starter has been running alot. it MAY need rebuilding by now..

[94BULLITT]

if the starter has been running alot. it MAY need rebuilding by now..

and from all of the cranking it has seen recently with the starting problem

[MasseyWV]

Am I correct in thinking it has to be the starter and not the solenoid?

If the starter continues to run after the engine starts, and you've eliminated the switch as a possibility, I believe it can only be the start relay or the solenoid. The actual starter itself is probably fine, assuming there has been no damage to the starter or Bendix from running so much.

[Soundguy]

pull the brush band and see if it has thrown solder...

[PorkChopsMmm]

You guys are awesome. I had a run in with an old lawn tractor blowing out solenoids a ways back so I am no stranger to replacing them. I will try to pick one up soon and on Monday I will check to see what the starter rebuild would cost. It does kick out and/or have some odd behavior at times so I think it has seen better days.

[PorkChopsMmm]

Started the tractor again a few times today -- intermittently the starter would remain running. I took one of the leads off of the battery and the tractor would instantly die. I pulled the alternator and will pick up a new one tomorrow from NAPA -- and a solenoid. I am going to try and install these tomorrow night and let you know how it goes.

Thanks again for the help.

[Soundguy]

it sounded like a non op charge system.

I will caution you on this though.. pulling a bat wire off unloads the electrical system, and is the 2nd fastest way I know to destroy a 40$ alternator. when you unload it.. voltage can go very high till the reg catches it.

17v is not uncommon.

the old.. pull a bat cable trick is unkind....

good luck onthe repair, the starter will appreciate not running continously.