Mahindra 26xl only starts by jumping solenoid

ddberry88 · Oct 12, 2017

Howdy,

So my late grandfathers tractor has been sitting for about 6 months. I've been out of state and recently back home to fiddle with it. I've replaced the batteries, battery cables and clamps, relay switches and checked all fuses. Checked the saftey switches as well. Problem is when I turn the key all I get is a buzzing noise coming from what I believe to be the relays. Bout 1 out of 3 tries I can get it to crank by jumping the solenoid, other wise when jumping the solenoid the starter will just spin but not engage. Was hoping someone might have an ideal of whats going on.

Ps. When I first turn the key on its like I have no power (hence gauges don't work or lights) but after a few minuets everything comes on....possibly a short somewhere?

Spanner · Oct 12, 2017

Have you found the "Search" function here yet?

Start at the battery, Check/clean all 'Grounds' (Earth) connections.
Follow the battery voltage with your multi-meter or test lamp...

Literally hundreds of threads on here with same issue. All colours.

Welcome anyway.

Navasot · Oct 13, 2017

seat and pto have a safety switch.... shuttle does also if its not hst.. one of them are bad or unplugged or not adjusted right

SedonaDave · Oct 13, 2017

ddberry88 said:
Howdy,

So my late grandfathers tractor has been sitting for about 6 months. I've been out of state and recently back home to fiddle with it. I've replaced the batteries, battery cables and clamps, relay switches and checked all fuses. Checked the saftey switches as well. Problem is when I turn the key all I get is a buzzing noise coming from what I believe to be the relays. Bout 1 out of 3 tries I can get it to crank by jumping the solenoid, other wise when jumping the solenoid the starter will just spin but not engage. Was hoping someone might have an ideal of whats going on.

Ps. When I first turn the key on its like I have no power (hence gauges don't work or lights) but after a few minuets everything comes on....possibly a short somewhere?

A short would blow a fuse....
Did you replace the solenoid?
Hope the key is in the run position when jumping solenoid.....or you can mess more things up.

Gaowlpoop · Oct 13, 2017

Jumpering a solinoid is dangerous. You re messing with a LOT of current and the possibility of welding things together that were not meant to be welded together.

My vote is for the solenoid. On a lot of starters, the solinoid not only makes electrical contact between the battery and the starter but also pushes the Bendix gear out into the flywheel.