Ford 1700 just quit while brush hogging

[JC-jetro]

You can alternately jump the starter directly to see if it turns bypassing all controls and wiring. Make sure the gear is in neutral if you decide to do so. You can do it with starter on the tractor.

Just FYI

 

[TractorTech]

When you say, "check for voltage at the ignition lug" I'm assuming you mean one of the pins on the back of the ignition switch? Can you tell on the image I attached which is that lug? (Sorry if I'm a stooopid)

Yellow is the line in from the battery lug.

 

[jpilk99]

Yellow is the line in from the battery lug.

Thank you!

 

[jpilk99]

You can alternately jump the starter directly to see if it turns bypassing all controls and wiring. Make sure the gear is in neutral if you decide to do so. You can do it with starter on the tractor.

Just FYI

Thanks JC. Not for nuthin, but - other than confirming the battery is charged and that the starter works, what does jumping it tell me? Mannnnn, I feel like I'm missing something simple - and thought I had it nailed when I found that POS wire off the back of the alternator. Ggggrrrrrrr

 

[TractorTech]

Thanks JC. Not for nuthin, but - other than confirming the battery is charged and that the starter works, what does jumping it tell me? Mannnnn, I feel like I'm missing something simple - and thought I had it nailed when I found that POS wire off the back of the alternator. Ggggrrrrrrr

The big top lug on the starter is what he is talking about. This will confirm whether the problem is with the cable or not.

Also, with the tractor out of gear, you can take screwdriver and lay across that big lug to the small tang on top of the starter to see if the starter will turn over. This will verify whether you have voltage on that connection at the starter. Again, with the tractor in neutral!

 

[JC-jetro]

Thanks JC. Not for nuthin, but - other than confirming the battery is charged and that the starter works, what does jumping it tell me? Mannnnn, I feel like I'm missing something simple - and thought I had it nailed when I found that POS wire off the back of the alternator. Ggggrrrrrrr

For the same reasons TractorTech brought up. At the very least you can prove operation of starter. if you cannot direct jump start the starter with a jumper cable then there is something wrong with the starter as well. I am not saying bad starter is the issue as you need to eliminate one by one where the problem might lie. Again like it was suggested , you can use a multi meter to read voltage. You should always have to have 12 volt between ground and positive log n the starter. When the solenoid is activated by switch it does two things, it makes starter to turn after solenoid actuating arm moves the pinion gear to mesh and engages with the flywheel.

How the starting system works

To make an engine start it must be turned at some speed, so that it sucks fuel and air into the cylinders, and compresses it.

www.howacarworks.com

 

[JC-jetro]

This is what TractorTech was talking about to short out the lugs with a screwdriver to turn the starter manually independent from any circuit or safeties that in this case is only neutral safety, lugs connected to bare wire and the red.

 

[JC-jetro]

This is how you test the clutch neutral safety switch,

1- switch is normally open so with clutch pedal not pressed on the test light is off. By pressing the clutch down the light with illuminate proving a closed switch to complete starting circuit.

 

[jpilk99]

Turns out to be a bad ground cable off the battery to the frame. It was clamped on good and tight, but I was getting bad readings for power at the starter and other using the frame as ground. I disconnected, cleaned, put idelectric grease on it and reattached and ...back in bid'ness!!!!! Thanks all, very much.

 

[JC-jetro]

Turns out to be a bad ground cable off the battery to the frame. It was clamped on good and tight, but I was getting bad readings for power at the starter and other using the frame as ground. I disconnected, cleaned, put idelectric grease on it and reattached and ...back in bid'ness!!!!! Thanks all, very much.

It is good to put di-electric grease in ground connection, a bit of grease on the connector also covers the metal surface and and slows down the Oxidation. It is odd how it happened. I knew the wiring harness is so well attached to the chassis and makes it so difficult to get snagged. I actually myself put several extra zip ties after I ran a cable to the back for my boom pole and the electric 12 volt winch I have on it. Atleast it ended up being a learning situation and that's a good thing as other folks can also benefit from it.