1920 engine will not turn over

[2dawoodz]

I used a long screwdriver with a rubber handle to jump between the starter post and solenoid post. Just be extra careful because any time you start a tractor while out of the seat, the tractor can run over you or something worse! I just held the tip of the screwdriver onto the battery post and slowly slanted the screwdriver toward the solenoid post. It will spark and scare you but if the solenoid engages, there is a problem in your wiring harness somewhere. I eventually bypassed my harness and installed a push button starter on the dash with 12V wiring going to the two posts. Been starting flawlessly for 2 years.

Thanks again for explaining. I have done this before on other equipment but the starter post is directly under the starter and the solenoid post is inside towards the engine so seems it would be difficult to touch both with a stright tool like screwdriver. I try checking othe connections in the harness. Your button fix sounds promising.

 

[kirkawilson]

I've never seen my PTO neutral safety switch but the electrical diagram from Messick's shows it's located directly below where the 3PH speed adjustment valve/knob (rabbit/turtle) penetrates the tranny casing, under the seat inside the sheet metal covers.

 

[2dawoodz]

I connected the starter post to the solenoid post and the starter just spun. The engine did not turn over.

 

[RickB]

I connected the starter post to the solenoid post and the starter just spun. The engine did not turn over.

You need to also power the small spade connector on the starter solenoid in order for the starter drive to engage the ring gear.

Alternatively just jump from the upper large post on the starter solenoid to the spade connector that energies the solenoid coil.

BE SURE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL!!!

 

[kirkawilson]

You can bypass your NH1920 electrical wiring harness by jumping the starter solenoid with a screwdriver (or a pair of long screwdrivers) directly from the battery connection on the starter. Make sure tractor is in neutral, PTO is off, and ignition switch is on. Remove the side panel to gain access to starter electrical connections. Remove the solenoid wire connector to expose metal spade connector on starter solenoid. Slide rubber boot back to expose battery connection on starter. Put one screwdriver tip on the exposed metal portion of the spade solenoid connector and the second screwdriver tip on the exposed battery terminal connection. Touch the two screwdriver bodies together to 'short' the battery voltage directly to the starter solenoid until the tractor starts. It will usually spark a little when the screwdrivers touch. If the starter fires quickly and tractor starts every time, the problem is voltage drop in the tractor wiring. I have been doing this for the last 10+ 'clicking' episodes and the tractor started every time.
A 'workable' fix is to install a spring-loaded push-button (from Autozone or similar)on the dash and wire it to the same connections that the screwdrivers touch. Then you can shunt the starter from the seat by pushing the button with the ignition on. WARNING: This procedure bypasses all of the electrical safety switches in the starting circuit, so be very careful.