ignition not working on KAMA 254

[lakespirit]

I turn the key and nothing happens, no click, nothing, period. I can start by jumping across the terminals on starter and solenoid. I checked all the fuses and they are OK. This just happened without any warning.

 

[greg_g]

I turn the key and nothing happens, no click, nothing, period. I can start by jumping across the terminals on starter and solenoid. I checked all the fuses and they are OK. This just happened without any warning.

Check the clutch interlock switch. It is in the starting circuit between the keyswitch and the starter solenoid. It's under the left floorboard, in a bracket right by the clutch pedal arm

//greg//

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would also see what voltage you have on the wire coming from the key switch to the starter. It should be about the same as your battery voltage. You will have to do this with a help. Hook up the volt meter to the small wire on the starter and a good ground then with the tractor in neutral have them turn the key to start. If the voltage is low or zero you have a bad connection, switch, or safety switch on the clutch. My guess is along the track of what Greg said.

Have you been driving through the brush or snow? Get under the tractor and check the wires going to the clutch safety switch, they could have gotten damaged.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

Assuming a good and properly positioned clutch interlock switch, the clutch pedal still has to be depressed before voltage can be detected at the input to the starter solenoid.

//greg//

 

[sjb]

Checking the clutch switch is good advise. On my TS254 the switch frequently sticks in cold weather.
If you look between the floorboard and the clutch pedal arm, you will see the switch. When the clutch is depressed, you should see the plunger on the switch come out. If it does not that is your problem.
When this happens on mine, I heat the switch up with a heat gun until the plunger pops out. It'll work until it cools below freezing again.
The problem seems to be that moisture gets in to the switch and freezes.


Stan

 

[lakespirit]

Today the ignition switch just decided to work again???

 

[mffarmall]

I had that problem over the summer. I would say to check your battery terminals, clean them. Check your clutch switch (there are two bolts, sometimes the back one can work itself loose). The angle of the metal and the button can mis align and not get pushed in far enought. Sometimes that is a sign that the ignition switch is going out. I have seen references to this a few times.

I am able to push the button with one hand and turn over the tractor without pushing in my clutch. But I was in neutral at the time.

 

[greg_g]

Today the ignition switch just decided to work again???

Did the temperature where the tractor was parked get above freezing between uses? If yes, the clutch interlock switch was likely just frozen. If ice and/or packed snow continue to be a problem, that will happen again. And unfortunately that switch cannot be conveniently relocated. The (less than safe) alternative is to just bypass it.

That said, every Chinese keyswitch I've had was crap from the git-go. They're not sealed, and the wafers have a tendency to disintegrate. This might be the time to consider the Ford cold start switch mod.

//greg//

 

[lakespirit]

Greg,

Please provide some more info on the Ford switch.

 

[greg_g]

Greg,
Please provide some more info on the Ford switch.

See my mod sheet at http://johnstractor.homestead.com/files/Ford_switch2.doc It's kinda old, and it's since been found that not all the Ford switches have the same post positions on the back. Plus, your TaiShan wiring will be a little different than the 200 Series Jinma (for which the mod was originally intended). But getcha one, and we'll work it from there.

//greg//