JD 950 starter problem?

[Gale Hawkins]

Thanks kebo the objective finally clicked.

 

[cheeser]

Thanks, Kebo. This is very helpful. I'll take these instructions with me.

Any idea what the different guage wiring would be on the tractor (in case I need to replace any?)

 

[kebo]

Thanks, Kebo. This is very helpful. I'll take these instructions with me.

Any idea what the different guage wiring would be on the tractor (in case I need to replace any?)

Don't quite understand your question, but usually the wire gauge is printed on the wire. I would guess the wire size to the solenoid is probably 12ga, or maybe 10ga. The wire size to the starter is gonna be big, like maybe 4ga or a 2ga?? If you do add the extra relay, I would use 10ga wire to wire it in. Also use the crimp on ring terminals to make the actual connections.

 

[BuffaloJohn1]

This is an old thread, but I have been working on starter issues. My 950 has had the starter rebuilt twice, most recently days ago. I still have the issue that the solenoid will engage, but will not start. The fellows at the starter place suggested I have too low a voltage for the starter, but the battery is solid, the battery connections are solid. I checked today and the voltage from the key switch to the starter is 12.2v without a starter solenoid load and the battery is 13.4v - hmmm... I suspect that the system needs a relay to bypass the key switch supplying power to the solenoid.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Simple test for that. Remove the signal wire from the starter. Install a short "jumper" wire to the spade on the starter just long enough to reach the main positive battery cable stud. Key and fuel both off, tractor in neutral. Touch the bare end of the jumper to the positive post a few times. Does the starter engage and crank the engine first time every time or does it still give the same effect? Sometimes it works, sometimes not. That will quickly tell you if it's a starter problem or a signal TO the starter problem.

 

[Mike1955]

Negative wire is still in play also. I would make sure that starter has a good ground

 

[BuffaloJohn1]

Simple test for that. Remove the signal wire from the starter. Install a short "jumper" wire to the spade on the starter just long enough to reach the main positive battery cable stud. Key and fuel both off, tractor in neutral. Touch the bare end of the jumper to the positive post a few times. Does the starter engage and crank the engine first time every time or does it still give the same effect? Sometimes it works, sometimes not. That will quickly tell you if it's a starter problem or a signal TO the starter problem.

I used a 4ft piece of 18awg wire and over a dozen times in a row, it cranked immediately. I was convinced before it was the key switch and this test proves it.

The starter rebuild guy said I had low voltage to the starter solenoid (his diagnosis of what they had to fix) and that was what I saw when I tried starting from the key.

The battery ground was solid. I have a low resistance measurement capability and the reading was in the error margin of the measurement (milli ohms).

 

[Harry in Ky]

Then the added relay trick is a great next step.