KAMA TS254C starter

greg_g · May 7, 2008

lakespirit said:
The party isn't wuite over. Got her running for awhile, and now I am certain it's the solenoid. Anybody know how to fix one or get one for the starter motor???

I don't believe fixing it is a viable option. Pretty sure you have the QD100C3 starter that I have on my TS354C. It's pretty standard on the Y85 series motors. You should have no trouble getting a solenoid from Chip, or from most Jinma dealers.

//greg//

erj · May 8, 2008

Spirit,
If you do decide to try to rework the solenoid, send me a PM with your Email address and I will send you pictures, etc of when I did mine.
Mine is on a Jinma 284 with a Y385 engine.
RonJ

3RRL · May 8, 2008

lakespirit said:
The party isn't wuite over. Got her running for awhile, and now I am certain it's the solenoid. Anybody know how to fix one or get one for the starter motor???

You can order a new one from Chip or Tommy or Ronald.
But I'm pretty sure yours comes apart and you can check it out.

When I cleaned my solenoid, I noticed on the front of the plunger there is a steel collar with a flat on it. The flat on the collar is to give the plunger clearance of travel when engaging the starter. There is some linkage attached to the plunger via a spring loaded button which hooks up to the starter motor....I should've taken pictures!!!!
Anyway, on the bottom of the clearance flat there was hobbing...an indication that the solenoid plunger was hitting the linkage instead of making full contact. So I ground away the hobbed area to give it proper clearance of travel for full contact. After cleaning and lubing it, put it back together.

One other thing, even if you get a good voltage reading, check it when you are actually starting the engine (with a load on it). If the voltage drops substantially at that point, there is still a problem somewhere...probably a bad ground. Every time it sparks a little due to the crummy connection, there's a good chance the connection is getting corroded more and more. Pretty soon it makes no connection at all.

lakespirit · May 8, 2008

I can't explain this, but she is up and running again. I took the solenoid apart and cleaned the contacts inside, replaced brushes on the starter, and it starts like the day I bought it. I don't know how long it'll last, but it's $75 - $300 I don't have to spend today.

erj · May 9, 2008

Good to hear that the problem is solved and how you did it.
RonJ

greg_g · May 9, 2008

That's more than I would have expected. I just Googled for "QD100C3 Solenoid", and the first one that came back was advertised for under $30. Having said that however, the solenoid was on a section of the dealer's website that doesn't appear to have been updated since last October 20th.

I've got a good QD100C3 on my spares shelf by the way, only 32 hours on it. Previous owner didn't believe in the 10 second cranking rule. It's like new now, only cost $65 to rebuild it in an area auto electric shop.

//greg//

Dave_Lilly · May 9, 2008

Glad to hear that a little shade tree mechanic work fixed your problem without repacing the solenoid or the starter.

MossRoad · May 9, 2008

MODERATOR's NOTE:

This thread has been pruned!

My apologies to the original poster and to any of you that may have had posts removed from this thread and not received a P.M. from me.

Please continue with the discussion.

greg_g · May 9, 2008

greg_g said:
I don't believe fixing it is a viable option.

I should have qualified that statement Jeff - I don't believe fixing it is a viable long term option. As you soon realized the last time you took your starter apart, this particular success may be just as short-lived.

//greg//

Dave_Lilly · May 9, 2008

lakespirit said:
I can't explain this, but she is up and running again. I took the solenoid apart and cleaned the contacts inside, replaced brushes on the starter, and it starts like the day I bought it. I don't know how long it'll last, but it's $75 - $300 I don't have to spend today.

How many hours did your tractor have on it before you had this problem?