Typhoon
Gold Member
Well after several months of trying to track down a problem, I have finally solved it. For those of you with boomers (especially class 2's), you might have had this symptom, or may have it in the future. The symptom, is when you turn the key, you just get a "click" that sounds like the starter solenoid is hitting but nothing else happens. It took several months, many hours with a tester, 3 different batteries, and MANY 30 amp main fuses to finally solve this intermittent problem.
First and foremost, I am not by any means saying that my findings are going to be exactly what everyone else finds, because electrical systems can be complex.(Safety switches, lever adjustments, etc.) However, with this particular symptom, I AM going to say that the chances are very good that this will solve your problem. Hopefully, the time I have invested in this problem can save you some time and $$!
Ok now to the fix...
If you want to resolve this problem for good, the fix is simple, but requires a little $$. You will need a new ignition switch from an auto parts store.. NOT another factory New Holland switch. You will also need an Optima battery. (Must be an optima, not any other battery). The Optima battery that fits in the TC29/33 tractors is the 51R. However, I could not find a 51R so I got the larger yellow top, and built a battery tray that made it fit. It is a little bigger but it works great.
Now the reason for this...
The ignition switches that New Holland puts in these tractors are junk.. to put it simply. When you take it apart (do this when you replace it), you will see what I am talking about. They are made with flimsy little plastic and metal parts, with flimsy little springs. When I took mine apart, alot of the plastic inside was deformed from heat and the little metal parts were bent, and not making good contact. So get a good heavy duty ignition switch from the auto parts store, (a metal one), and replace.
Next (the most important part), replace your old battery with the optima. Obviously, tractors don't provide the smoothest ride in the world, and after 3 different batteries (the latter two being replacements by my New Holland dealer), I am convinced that even the new improved batteries leak a little, even if its just vapor, and cause excess corrosion on the terminals. The Optima battery is the permanent and end-all fix for this problem. An Optima can even be ran upside down. They are great. And you won't have to worry about any more corrosion on your battery tray or your hydro cooler and radiator.
After I made these upgrades, I have not had a single ignition problem since. Fact is, the starters and solenoids are well-made parts in these tractors, and although it might be the first culprit that comes to mind, they probably are not the problem. Your solenoid and starter have to receive a certain voltage to work properly, and with a poor ignition switch and a battery that is sub-par, you will just get "CLICK". That "CLICK" drove me NUTS for the longest time.. but not anymore! Also, you can do what I did and test voltages in different locations, but that becomes a challenge at times because this problem is very intermittent.
Sorry that this was so long, but I wanted to be thorough because I went through this and it was VERY frustrating and costly to say the least.
Good luck!!
-Brad
First and foremost, I am not by any means saying that my findings are going to be exactly what everyone else finds, because electrical systems can be complex.(Safety switches, lever adjustments, etc.) However, with this particular symptom, I AM going to say that the chances are very good that this will solve your problem. Hopefully, the time I have invested in this problem can save you some time and $$!
Ok now to the fix...
If you want to resolve this problem for good, the fix is simple, but requires a little $$. You will need a new ignition switch from an auto parts store.. NOT another factory New Holland switch. You will also need an Optima battery. (Must be an optima, not any other battery). The Optima battery that fits in the TC29/33 tractors is the 51R. However, I could not find a 51R so I got the larger yellow top, and built a battery tray that made it fit. It is a little bigger but it works great.
Now the reason for this...
The ignition switches that New Holland puts in these tractors are junk.. to put it simply. When you take it apart (do this when you replace it), you will see what I am talking about. They are made with flimsy little plastic and metal parts, with flimsy little springs. When I took mine apart, alot of the plastic inside was deformed from heat and the little metal parts were bent, and not making good contact. So get a good heavy duty ignition switch from the auto parts store, (a metal one), and replace.
Next (the most important part), replace your old battery with the optima. Obviously, tractors don't provide the smoothest ride in the world, and after 3 different batteries (the latter two being replacements by my New Holland dealer), I am convinced that even the new improved batteries leak a little, even if its just vapor, and cause excess corrosion on the terminals. The Optima battery is the permanent and end-all fix for this problem. An Optima can even be ran upside down. They are great. And you won't have to worry about any more corrosion on your battery tray or your hydro cooler and radiator.
After I made these upgrades, I have not had a single ignition problem since. Fact is, the starters and solenoids are well-made parts in these tractors, and although it might be the first culprit that comes to mind, they probably are not the problem. Your solenoid and starter have to receive a certain voltage to work properly, and with a poor ignition switch and a battery that is sub-par, you will just get "CLICK". That "CLICK" drove me NUTS for the longest time.. but not anymore! Also, you can do what I did and test voltages in different locations, but that becomes a challenge at times because this problem is very intermittent.
Sorry that this was so long, but I wanted to be thorough because I went through this and it was VERY frustrating and costly to say the least.
Good luck!!
-Brad