2nd solenoid????

[BlackOps]

ok i have maybe 175 hrs on a 10 yr old max 25. i take care of it. 5 yrs ago i had to put a new solenoid on it. today tried to start and turns over and clicks and stops just like before. think it is the solenoid again? why would it break after such little use - and this is not a beater construction tractor. It is a personal home tiny farm tractor that i only use and not abuse. thank you. $300+ more invested into this thing to replace it. damn.

 

[Joe Hickerson]

Sounds more like not enough current....battery connections or ground to tractor. Has the battery been changed in the 10 year ownership?

Joe, where it's cold and the snow is deep!!

 

[Harry in Ky]

Regardless of hours, the tractor is definitely old enough for the dreaded solenoid "click click click syndrome". Sounds very much like a good candidate for the extra starter relay kit. Easiest way to tell is to test the starter with a jumper wire. I say "easiest" provided you can even get to the starter. With loader/frames, hood, side shields, and the "Safety Sam" plastic cover on the starter it can be a challenge. Locate and remove the signal wire to the starter. It's usually a 12 or 14 gauge wire with a spade type push on terminal. I keep a handful of "test wires", short lengths of wire with both male and female spade terminals on one end just for this purpose. Push one end onto the spade on the starter. Transmission in neutral, key switch OFF, touch the bare end of the wire to battery positive post/stud on the starter. Just make contact for a second, let go and repeat. If you get the same result (click click) you have a battery, cable/connection, or even possible starter problem. On the other hand, if the starter engages first time every time, you have a signal voltage problem. You might consider adding another relay to eliminate that issue. It's a very common problem. John Deere actually makes and sells a kit to do just that. A bit spendy at their price, but you can do the same thing with a parts house relay, some wire, and a few terminals.

John Deere Starting Improvement Relay Kit - AM107421

www.greenpartstore.com

 

[BlackOps]

thank you for the reply. that is way beyond my means and ability sorry to say.

another question: the dielectric grease - do you actually put some into the connection points area or just use it after the connections are done? as in coat the outside of the connection...

 

[Harry in Ky]

I'm sorry if I overloaded you. I assumed if you are capable of replacing the solenoid you could probably accomplish this repair as well. While I'm not a fan of videos as all that great a means of gathering experience, there are some that actually provide accurate and usable information. Here is one that shows the installation of this relay in enough detail it should be easy enough to follow. The fuse he used is overkill (in my opinion) and something I don't do, but there we are. Other than that point, what he did will pretty much apply to most any engine or tractor with this problem. After watching it, you might feel like giving it a try, or maybe you have a friend that's capable of doing it. It's not all that hard.

Google Search

 

[BlackOps]

ahhh OK thank you -

re: the battery - it is brand new thisend of summer.

i am not stupid - ust do not have all of the metric stuff and as you said there is so much in the way to access anything it seems like.

it does crank over as such and then stops with the click - same as before.

just seems like it should have lasted a few more years...

thank you so much!!!!!

 

[grsthegreat]

Sorry, but that sounds like battery to me. Remove battery and have store load test it if you dont have your own tester. It should be tested at 50% of listed cold cranking amps for 20 seconds to pass test. Also, check all battery wire connections. Should not be able to twist any connection by hand. Check for corrosion.

 

[grsthegreat]

Just because battery is new dont mean squat. Depends on how long its sat

 

[BlackOps]

yes it was charged and the same thing. also the connections are greased so all contacts are good.
if the battery was not that good it wouldn;t have even turned it over like it did momentarily.

like i said symptoms are ust like when the solenoid needed to be replaced.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Like I said, you need to "jump" test the starter. It's a lot easier than trying to read the voltage down there at the signal wire while attempting to start it. The solenoid may well be perfectly serviceable, but if the signal wire is only delivering five to eight volts, it won't work.