mystery wires

kenstrac · Jul 30, 2009

If I remember right everything will come on dash ,gauges. themo-start but starter will not energize last thing in line before starter solenoid

MikesTractor · Jul 30, 2009

That is definitely the neutral safety switch. That notch in the sheet metal beside the wires (as seen in your first pic) is where the wires should come through. If you remove that cover with the notch in it, there should be 2 wires hanging down with a molded plug on the end. There are 2 halves of the plug, 1 on the safety switch harness and one on the main tractor harness. Each plug has a male and a female. These are round bullet type plugs.

When the neutral safety switch would fail, a lot of people would cut those wires (like done to yours) and connect them together to bypass the neutral switch. With this switch bypassed, the tractor can now be started in gear.(not good)

If it was mine, I would definitely fix it. If you choose not to, please be careful.

Mike

Coyote machine · Jul 30, 2009

I don't know what the wires are for, but I want to know what the two things behind the rear tires are?
Are they Ford water skis?

Soundguy · Jul 31, 2009

Didn't I just say something like that

soundguy

MikesTractor said:
That is definitely the neutral safety switch. That notch in the sheet metal beside the wires (as seen in your first pic) is where the wires should come through. If you remove that cover with the notch in it, there should be 2 wires hanging down with a molded plug on the end. There are 2 halves of the plug, 1 on the safety switch harness and one on the main tractor harness. Each plug has a male and a female. These are round bullet type plugs.

When the neutral safety switch would fail, a lot of people would cut those wires (like done to yours) and connect them together to bypass the neutral switch. With this switch bypassed, the tractor can now be started in gear.(not good)

If it was mine, I would definitely fix it. If you choose not to, please be careful.

Mike

MikesTractor · Jul 31, 2009

Soundguy said:
Didn't I just say something like that

soundguy

Right, just agreeing with you.

Mike

RickB · Jul 31, 2009

J_J said:
You really should find out what the purpose of the wire/switch.

If you get a chance, take off the cover plate and see what is in there.

The purpose of the cut wires has already been described accurately twice in this thread. THe cut wires and underlying switch can be tested with an ohm meter without the bother of removing the transmission cover. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense for an admitted 'tractor illiterate' to engage in recreational disassembly.

wv1720 · Jul 31, 2009

By the way, nice looking tractor.

PILOON · Jul 31, 2009

Noticed that the boot on the shifter is cracking.
You might consider replacing it B4 water seeps into the tranny fluids as that is number 1 cause of water contamination entry point.

J_J · Jul 31, 2009

RickB said:
The purpose of the cut wires has already been described accurately twice in this thread. THe cut wires and underlying switch can be tested with an ohm meter without the bother of removing the transmission cover. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense for an admitted 'tractor illiterate' to engage in recreational disassembly.

Well, you can take someones word for it, or it may be better to find out for yourself. You might also ask ones self, is it a normally open switch, or is it a normally closed switch, or you think he is going to hook the switch back up as a safety feature. This is all good advise, which the original poster can decipher, use or trash.

Next question he might ask, would be, how do you hook it up correctly.

chh · Jul 31, 2009

Hey guys quit arguing over the BS part, it does not matter if the switch is usually an open or closed, whether you disassemble for fun or not.

Just stick to the main point. Starting a tractor in gear can kill you or somebody you love. Fix the stinking switch! If you choose not to fix it, at least make where a kid can't start it and run over anybody accidently.