Need some help with my MF35

EMS503 · Apr 4, 2009

The MF35 Deluxe is a diesel engine. I was having starting issues with it, I was told the battery cables were probably to light and possibly corroded. So I removed the cables and had new ones made at the same time I took the starter to were I purchased it a few years ago and was told it was not working properly and had to be rebuilt. All was done and I began putting it back together and replacing other wire ends that were soaked with diesel fuel. I should say this tractor came with the farm and had no maintence done to it for a long time. I hooked the cables back up to the master switch and hooked the ground cable back after cleaning the area to clean metal. I also had the battery tested and was told it was good. Now that all is hooked back up the starter will not turn over. I tested it and have power at the big lug but not at the two smaller lugs, also no power reading at the ignition switch. I am not much of a mechanic but I try to do what I can. I retraced all my steps but still no good. Are the power readings normal or should I have power to the ignition switch or either small lugs. I spent most of today working on it and am begining to feel maybe the starter is not working. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

teg · Apr 4, 2009

Make sure the tractor is in Neutral, parking brake set, do you know how to hot wire a starter? Give the starter some juice without the ignition... the ignition switch could be bad. Just guessing here...

EMS503 · Apr 5, 2009

Tractor is in neutral brakes set. I learned that one

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No I do not know how to hot wire a starter, I have seen it done but never really got close enough to see where they hooked up to.

studor · Apr 5, 2009

Make sure tractor is in neutral, with an insulated screwdriver bridge the big terminal to the little terminal on the starter solenoid-- if it just spins bridge to the other little terminal. On that one it could be the ignition switch or neutral safety switch(mounted on top of tranny near gear shift) -- hope this helps. Oh yeah -- I believe you should have power somewhere on the ignition switch. Have you got a wiring diagram? Sounds kinda like you may be missing power between either the starter and the neutral safety or that and the ignition swtch
regards

teg · Apr 5, 2009

I would prefer someone more knowledgeable then myself to give instructions... I'll just tell you how I used to start my Scout II and you can decide on your own if you want to try it or wait for someone else to speak up!!!

I have NOT even looked at my starter on my tractor and I have NOT dealt with MF35... (confident you should wait

) and my guess is your ignition switch is bad.

Anyway, My Scout had 3 connections points on the starter, actually the starter solenoid. One big one and two small. It was a matter of crossing the big one with one of the small ones (I forget which one). It did spark, and would turn over the starter... if the key is in the "on" position, you could start the car by holding it down. (and if the Scout was in gear, once it is started, it WILL drive away by itself... but that's another story about how I ran into a tree, chasing my Scout...)

studor · Apr 5, 2009

Remember because it is a diesel the ignition switch does not have to be on to start it if you bridge the starter
Teg -- did you hit the tree or did the scout?

teg · Apr 5, 2009

I left the door open when I crawled under to start it and as the Scout drove by I decided to chase after and jump in... about 6" from the door, the door shut violently... before I could think "that's odd?" I ran into the same tree that closed the door. It was dark and I didn't see it coming. Few scrapes, bruises and a fair cut on my shin bone which ALMOST got duct taped shut... thankfully, it stopped bleeding by itself. The Scout came to rest on top of a brush pile with the wheels still spinning. (I was dumping brush, myself). Put it in 4x4 and drove home... with out dumping the brush

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WarrenF · Apr 5, 2009

Make sure that your transmission is in neutral, which you said it was. Make sure that the high/low shifter is in neutral as well. If you will look, I believe on the right side of engine near where the starter is located you will see what looks like a plug with two wires sticking out of the top. That is your safety overide switch that will keep you from starting the tractor in gear....ANY GEAR INCLUDING HIGH/LOW. If there are not two wires hooked up to the top of the plug.....look around and see if you have inadvertantly knocked one off.

My grandkids did that to me on my 65....drove me crazy for about two weeks because I could not get the starter to even act like there was power to it. I tried shorting the starter and NOTHING....took the starter off and hooked up a charger to it and it would run.

Hope that helps you.

EMS503 · Apr 5, 2009

Okay I hot wired the starter and it turned over. Guess that leaves the neutral safety and the ignition switch. I was working around the neutral safety switch so maybe I hit a wire, The wires on this tractor are old and brittle. I have been replacing them as I go. I will check those wires tommorow in between the rain forecasted for us. If it turns out the neutral safety is bad how does this come out from what I saw there is no place for a wrench.

Soundguy · Apr 6, 2009

Trace the wires from the solenoid... it should be getting power from somewhere.. like a key or push button switch.. if it ain't.. that's your problem. if the key/push button has power.. look at any intervening safety switches.

soundguy