1958 Ford 861D Solenoid (starter and glow plug)

[jtmcdon]

I just replaced the starter solenoid on my 1958 Ford 861D using a NAPA ST542 but there is also a second solenoid it's used for the glow plugs. My question is, are the two solenoids the same?

FYI...the NAPA sales guy sold me a ST82SB starter solenoid and told me it's exactly the same as ST542 but ST82SB would not even turn over the engine. Using a couple of trusty screw drivers I could jump the two big studs and the tractor would fire. Does anybody know the specs on the ST82SB or why it would not work on my 861D?

Thanks. Tom

 

[Shaneard]

I'd say you have a problem with your ignition wiring feeding the solenoid if you can jump it with a screwdriver and it turns over. The contacts inside do the same thing as the screwdriver does on the outside.

 

[flyerdan]

For the $11 difference on the NAPA site, there is probably some difference, perhaps in better materials or greater amperage capacity. Since they neglect to provide that info it's hard to say.
Rather that using screwdrivers to bridge the big lugs, a jumper wire from the battery cable side to the small terminal that the wire from the starter switch comes from does a better job with less arcing and ozone. As mentioned above, if that test will spin it over, but the key won't, you have a bad connection that isn't letting full power get to the solenoid. Could be a corroded connector, or a wire end only held on by a few strands, etc.

 

[jtmcdon]

For the $11 difference on the NAPA site, there is probably some difference, perhaps in better materials or greater amperage capacity. Since they neglect to provide that info it's hard to say.
Rather that using screwdrivers to bridge the big lugs, a jumper wire from the battery cable side to the small terminal that the wire from the starter switch comes from does a better job with less arcing and ozone. As mentioned above, if that test will spin it over, but the key won't, you have a bad connection that isn't letting full power get to the solenoid. Could be a corroded connector, or a wire end only held on by a few strands, etc.

My tractor has an original generator, which means the negative cable connects direct from the starter to the big terminal on the left side of the solenoid. So to be sure are you suggesting a jumper wire from the large terminal on the right side which is connected to the positive side of the battery cable, to the small terminal label with "S" which connects to foot/thumb starter button? Or are you suggesting a jumper wire across the two small terminals?

I'm fairly confident I don't have a bad wire, I think the problem is the ST82SB solenoid the NAPA person sold me. Anyway, NAPA had to order the ST542 and it should be in their store tomorrow afternoon.

 

[jtmcdon]

Update on the solenoid. Installed the ST542 this morning and the tractor started up with no issues. I've tried to find technical data on both the ST82SB and the ST542 to see what the differences are but I haven't found any information.

 

[Michford]

I cant say for certain what the difference is with the solenoids, but would speculate that the ST82SB activates with 12v power, and the ST542 activates with connection to a ground since the tractor has a mechanical safety that only allows starting if in neutral. Both solenoids are 12v, but function different.