TC40DA won't start

[Hieronymous]

My tractor's been laid up for a while and, when I come to use it, it won't start. It behaves as though a safety switch is preventing it from starting but all seems in order other than that I can't locate the switch for the gear lever (HST). I turn the key to the ignition position and wait for the glow plug indicator to extinguish then, when I turn it to start, the only thing that happens is that the glow plug indicator illuminates.

I seem to recall reading that someone had a problem with the relay. Could that be what my problem is? I'm afraid I've run out of ideas.

EDIT: Forgot to say that all the fuses check out okay.

 

[Hieronymous]

Just read a thread wherein the poster had a similar problem which turned out to be the gear lever safety switch. I'll have to check that out.

 

[Ford850]

Did you test the battery with a VOM to see the voltage?

 

[Hieronymous]

Did you test the battery with a VOM to see the voltage?

Thank you for the reply.
No. I don't believe that the battery is at fault. If it were weak I'm sure it would, at least, try to throw the engine over. It certainly did when I had a fuel solenoid problem.

 

[ovrszd]

Sure sounds like a safety switch.

Can you access the starter and starter solenoid?? If so you can "jump" across the solenoid terminals to activate the starter. This will confirm your battery is good and if the tractor starts and runs, confirm that there's nothing wrong other than a safety switch or possibly the ignition switch failing to activate the "start" circuit.

If you aren't sure how to do this, take a couple good pics and we'll guide you.

 

[Hieronymous]

Sure sounds like a safety switch.

Can you access the starter and starter solenoid?? If so you can "jump" across the solenoid terminals to activate the starter. This will confirm your battery is good and if the tractor starts and runs, confirm that there's nothing wrong other than a safety switch or possibly the ignition switch failing to activate the "start" circuit.

If you aren't sure how to do this, take a couple good pics and we'll guide you.

Thank you.

I'll have to see if I can find my jump leads but won't be able to do this until tomorrow.

 

[RobertN]

Check out the "sticky note" at the top of this NH forum - "TC33 wont start".

 

[Hieronymous]

Check out the "sticky note" at the top of this NH forum - "TC33 wont start".

Thank you.
I did that at the outset. Don't think it's quite the same

 

[WM75Guy]

I have had the same problem. Sometimes is the simple things. You have to have all 3 correct in order for it to start. 1. PTO off, 2. Range lever in neutral, and 3. Operator in seat or parking brake on. When moving the HST lever to neutral when shutting down I have hit the PTO lever just enough for it to not let it start the next time. Also just wiggling the HST lever back and forth in the neutral slot while turning the key over may work.

The gear lever safety switch screws into the transmission. It is part #29 on Transmission section 3.06.

New Holland (TC4DA) - 4 CYL COMPACT TRACTOR (1/4-) Parts Diagrams

 

[Hieronymous]

I have had the same problem. Sometimes is the simple things. You have to have all 3 correct in order for it to start. 1. PTO off, 2. Range lever in neutral, and 3. Operator in seat or parking brake on. When moving the HST lever to neutral when shutting down I have hit the PTO lever just enough for it to not let it start the next time. Also just wiggling the HST lever back and forth in the neutral slot while turning the key over may work.

The gear lever safety switch screws into the transmission. It is part #29 on Transmission section 3.06.

New Holland (TC4DA) - 4 CYL COMPACT TRACTOR (1/4-) Parts Diagrams

Thank you. That will save me searching. I did wonder if it was something silly but, other than if it is the neutral sensing switch, it doesn't appear to be. I have to hold the PTO lever back when starting in any case.