Ford 1900 Won't Turn Over.

[Train]

I had posted over on the Parts and Repairs forum a couple of weeks back but thought I might find some more info here as well. The problem started with the tractor not turning over. It started in the morning fine, turned it off to hook up an implement, and then nothing. Found our local repair place (after I broke off the small tab on the solenoid) and took it there. He took it apart and checked it. Replaced the solenoid, lubed it up, and everything was good when he tested it. Brought it home, put it on, and click click click. Said the magic french words and still nothing. Tried it a few more times and then not even clicking. So started checking voltage and continuity again.

So battery is at 12.56 volts. Voltage at the mounting stud is the same. Voltage at the solenoid tab when the key is turned, is only 0.06. This says to me there's a problem somewhere between the solenoid tab and the incoming hot. But here's the thing that confuses me. When I try to jump between the solenoid stud and the main power, I get nothing. Not even a spark.

I've also checked the main ground, cleaned it up at the mounting point to the frame. When we check voltage and use the starter housing as a grounding point everything comes up fine, so I'm sure the starter is grounded properly.

Any ideas? This tractor would be early 80's if that helps.

 

[kirkawilson]

Just a guess but make sure the hot battery cable connection on the starter battery post (not solenoid) is clean & tight. Then jump from the starter post to the solenoid tab. I added push-button-start to my 1920 that is wired from the starter post to the solenoid tab and it fires every time. But be careful because all of the safeties are by-passed.

 

[Train]

Are you talking the starter post on the starter? I've tried that and get nothing at all, not even spark. Everything is clean and tight. Jumping from the +post to the solenoid should give me something but it's not. Driving me nuts.

 

[jjaphipps22]

Which solenoid are you referring too? Fuel Stop or Starter?

 

[Train]

It's the starter solenoid.

 

[jimmysisson]

Try a good jumper cable from neg battery terminal (not the clamp) to a bare metal ground. Then you'll know if you have a faulty main ground cable. Maybe there's an additional engine-to-firewall ground cable missing connection?
Jim

 

[Train]

Battery to ground was all cleaned and checked, but I didn't think about an engine to frame ground. Although when we test using the starter housing as a ground point it looks good. But I'm going to check it out. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[jimmysisson]

Apparently some of these NH cables lose contact between actual cable and terminal. That's what the jumper cable test is looking for. The engine just about has to be grounded to the frame, but I'm not sure about tobthe firewall for switches. Jim

 

[Train]

I went out and checked. The frame is bolted right to the engine block. All the cables show good continuity and when we check for voltage at the starter terminals everything is good.

 

[kirkawilson]

If you have a jump box or jumper cables, you can try grounding to the tractor and touching the positive cable to the starter solenoid to see if it will engage. If so, you have a wiring problem somewhere and they are a b**ch to troubleshoot.