Mf 135 perkins gas no start

[MattU]

I've got a mf 135 with a perkins gas motor. Currently it will not turn over. When you turn the key the voltage regulator clicks and the ammeter goes to a negative position. Also the tractor can be pull started and will run great. While running if you turn the switch to start it will kill the motor and not engage the starter. Btw I have temporarily bypassed the neutral safety switch since it's a little fiddly. The battery is also brand new showing 12.8v. Any ideas what I can do? Maybe a short caused by the switch?

 

[flusher]

Does the starter work? Jumper it to see if it spins the engine. If it spins, then I'd replace the starter solenoid.

 

[MattU]

The starter does not work. If I jumper it it just clicks at the voltage regulator.

 

[rsallen]

Clicks at the voltage regulator? You sure it's not the solenoid you're hearing?
The only connection I remember seeing on the wiring diagram was a live feed to the regulator from the battery via the main connection on the start solenoid.

 

[MattU]

If I'm by the solenoid the click happens up and to the left from where I am. If I put my ear beside the vent above the air filter. I can hear the click directly inside where the regulator is.

 

[MattU]

Something I just noticed when I went to verify the clicks location. When the key is off it shows zero on the ammeter. When you turn the key one click to run it also shows zero. Then when you turn to start it shows a less then one second -5 amps then goes to zero as you hold it to start. Then as you release it from start back to run it shows a -10 amp draw continually until you turn the key back to off.

 

[rsallen]

Have you checked for voltage at the solenoid connection (wire) from the switch when at the start position?
That would be the single smallish wire set apart all by it's lonesome on the end of the solenoid.

 

[MattU]

Well I found the problem. It turns out the back of the original ignition switch is made of some type of paper material. If you slightly bend the terminals together with your fingers she fires right up. As soon as you let go of the terminals it dies and just clicks. So after 6 hrs of checking, tracing, and replacing some wires I finally found it. Thanks a lot for the help and ideas.