Bad earth?

[Sbns]

Hi all,
Have a TYM 503 that has a clicking noise when you turn the key, and the starter motor only sometimes engages.(better when hot)
Got the battery checked snd it is ok.
Started fine from a jump start, and works ok if you attach the jump cable fom earth terminal to frame.
Is there a way to fix/improve the normal ground? (if that is the problem?)

thanx.

 

[mikester]

Start at the battery and try thoroughly cleaning the terminals and clamps with a wire brush, apply dielectric grease and re-fasten. If that doesn't work move on from there.

 

[Diggin It]

Yes, the Earth is bad. It's full of quakes, volcanoes and other things.

But it sounds like your ground wire could be too. When checking, inspect the wire itself where it goes into any crimp type connectors. There have been reports of corrosion there and up inside the wire sheath.

 

[Sbns]

Start at the battery and try thoroughly cleaning the terminals and clamps with a wire brush, apply dielectric grease and re-fasten. If that doesn't work move on from there.

Have cleaned the terminals, but will get some dielectric grease!

 

[Sbns]

Yes, the Earth is bad. It's full of quakes, volcanoes and other things.

But it sounds like your ground wire could be too. When checking, inspect the wire itself where it goes into any crimp type connectors. There have been reports of corrosion there and up inside the wire sheath.

Yes, will have to do a better inspection.

 

[kenb1023]

When it does it again take a volt meter and measure from a good ground to the negative terminal. If you get any reading of voltage you have a bad ground. Now a zero reading does not mean your good it just helps to isolate the issue. Also read from post to post and from the positive post to a good ground. If the readings are not exact you have a grounding issue. Finding bad grounds is a PIA because they come and go. Focus on the ground wire from the negative post and also the alternator. Any issues with other electrical items like head lights?

 

[CobyRupert]

When it does it again take a volt meter and measure from a good ground to the negative terminal. If you get any reading of voltage you have a bad ground. Now a zero reading does not mean your good it just helps to isolate the issue. Also read from post to post and from the positive post to a good ground. If the readings are not exact you have a grounding issue. Finding bad grounds is a PIA because they come and go. Focus on the ground wire from the negative post and also the alternator. Any issues with other electrical items like head lights?

....but do this when you have high current loads on. Like the lights on, or when trying to start.
That is, there can be almost zero volts measured across a (high impedance) bad connection when there almost zero current to create the voltage drop.

 

[Sbns]

When it does it again take a volt meter and measure from a good ground to the negative terminal. If you get any reading of voltage you have a bad ground. Now a zero reading does not mean your good it just helps to isolate the issue. Also read from post to post and from the positive post to a good ground. If the readings are not exact you have a grounding issue. Finding bad grounds is a PIA because they come and go. Focus on the ground wire from the negative post and also the alternator. Any issues with other electrical items like head lights?

Thanks for the input.
Don’t ever use the lights, so i will check that!
And you are right , it is a PIA, because it does come and go, and my mechanical skills are very ordinary!

 

[Sbns]

....but do this when you have high current loads on. Like the lights on, or when trying to start.
That is, there can be almost zero volts measured across a (high impedance) bad connection when there almost zero current to create the voltage drop.

Thanks!

 

[PILOON]

On subject of bad grounds----
I've had occasional ground related problems.
I once discovered that the corrosion in a ground cable had travelled as much as 2-3 inches back from the connector.
Stiffness in the adjacent (more than elsewhere) inches is your indicator.
Only cure is, cut and shorten OR replace.

 

[the old grind]

I would make sure the battery ground is clean and secure at the frame or engine where it attaches. I'd also consider having the battery lead-tested if it requires a jump to start up. It's not always a bad connection.

Also check battery voltage at rest and with the engine running. Check for leakage/drain between startups, and voltage again after sitting overnight. I've had batteries on chargers that would hold up for a day or two but not four or five. Polished terminals can only pass what the battery is capable of, and neither lasts forever.

 

[Sbns]

On subject of bad grounds----
I've had occasional ground related problems.
I once discovered that the corrosion in a ground cable had travelled as much as 2-3 inches back from the connector.
Stiffness in the adjacent (more than elsewhere) inches is your indicator.
Only cure is, cut and shorten OR replace.

Thanks!
Not a big cable ~12 inch, so probably worth replacing anyway.

 

[Sbns]

I would make sure the battery ground is clean and secure at the frame or engine where it attaches. I'd also consider having the battery lead-tested if it requires a jump to start up. It's not always a bad connection.

Also check battery voltage at rest and with the engine running. Check for leakage/drain between startups, and voltage again after sitting overnight. I've had batteries on chargers that would hold up for a day or two but not four or five. Polished terminals can only pass what the battery is capable of, and neither lasts forever.

Yeh I took the battery to get tested and it is fine (not that old).

 

[Frankenkubota]

I had an old old proff that used the term earth vs ground. He was one of the few that could actually tell you how something worked.

A good teacher is worth their weight in gold.....or bit coins.

 

[pmsmechanic]

It could just be that after the current goes through all the old safety/neutral switches etc. that there just isn't enough current left to activate the starter solenoid. Measure the voltage to the starter solenoid while holding the key in the start position. It should be within a volt of battery voltage. If not use the wire going to the starter solenoid to activate a relay to feed adequate volts to the starter solenoid.

 

[docone]

You have already proven a bad ground by attaching your jumper cable to the frame.
Bite the bullet and buy a new ground cable.
JMHO