Need some input on a starter safety relay

[Kosmo]

Hi all,

I tried this over on the Ford /NH board with no takers. Thought I might have some luck here. I'm continuing the reassembly of my F/NH 1715 (It's a 15 series 3 cylinder diesel 27hp 4X4) after a crazy few months with clutch replacement and came to the instrument panel wiring harness and noticed that a blue connector was just hanging loose. Odd thing was it had a jumper wire connected to one of the contacts, but just hanging loose on the other end. I apparently didn't notice it when disassembling as I only marked connections I removed. Anyway, after some investigating of the wiring diagram, I've identified it as the starter safety relay socket and the relay itself seems to have been removed from the instrument panel bracket. Since I'm no electronics expert and my ability to follow an electronic diagram accurately is not guaranteed, my question is this. Is this safety relay likely required for engine starting or will it just not prevent an engine start if the clutch is not pressed or the shifter not in neutral. Bottom line, is that jumper that has been jerry rigged necessary? Has it been starting fine since I owned it with the jumper disconnected or was one end most likely knocked out during the disassembly process. I'm assuming, since the connected end of the jumper goes to the keyed ignition switch, the other end was meant to attach to the starter pin of the socket. I'd appreciate any knowledge on this issue. Kind of don't want to spring for a new relay cause of the outrageous $$$, and the setup prior to the clutch job worked just fine for the 5 years I've owned this tractor. Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

I'm not familiar with your model tractor BUT on tractors that I'm familiar with the starter relay is designed to utilize a shorter length of wiring harness which gives starter engagement electricity a shorter path with less connections from battery to starter solenoid "S" terminal. This normally sends more amps down the start circuit to starter solenoid for better more reliable starter engagement. Utilizing a starter relay lowers the amount of amperage that otherwise would have to travel through ign & neutral start switches.You could substitute the factory relay for a generic type($25 or less) with minimal wiring alterations. I hope you're not more confused now than before.

 

[Kosmo]

I'm not familiar with your model tractor BUT on tractors that I'm familiar with the starter relay is designed to utilize a shorter length of wiring harness which gives starter engagement electricity a shorter path with less connections from battery to starter solenoid "S" terminal. This normally sends more amps down the start circuit to starter solenoid for better more reliable starter engagement. Utilizing a starter relay lowers the amount of amperage that otherwise would have to travel through ign & neutral start switches.You could substitute the factory relay for a generic type($25 or less) with minimal wiring alterations. I hope you're not more confused now than before.

Hey Tx, thanks for the input. I think I understand the concept you're getting at but not sure it applies in this case. I'll study the wiring diagram some more and see if I can make some sense out of it. Otherwise, I guess the best course of action would be try it first with the jumper not connected, if it dont work connect the jumper and see if that gets starter working. If that fails, I'll need to dig some more. Thanks again for your input!

 

[mitch becton]

as noted by jim this is either called starter relay or starter solenoid this was only used with ford built starters some of these tractors were built in europe and had lucas starting systems which has solenoid/relay mounted to starter if in doubt can you post picture of starter they are very different in looks easy to figure it out

 

[mitch becton]

found my application book the ford 1715 was built in japan for ford it has a mitsubishi starting system the starter has the solenoid already mounted on it your probably going to have to go to a food tractor dealer to find this part it is probably a true starter relay nothing like jim and i spoke of if it is the japanese version

 

[Qapla]

found my application book the ford 1715 was built in japan for ford it has a mitsubishi starting system the starter has the solenoid already mounted on it your probably going to have to go to a food tractor dealer to find this part it is probably a true starter relay nothing like jim and i spoke of if it is the japanese version

I take i this was "auto-correct" at it's finest

 

[Steave]

Not sure but the way I read your post you're having an issue with the safety switch that won't let the starter engage unless you've got the gear in Neutral. If that's the case somewhere down the line the safety switch probably went bad and someone jumped it out to be able to start the tractor.

I'm also not familiar with your tractor model but a lot of fords' the switch is located inside the transmission attached on a lever to the gear stick. It's 2 wires that are in series between the start wire from the key switch to the starter solenoid. Once the gear shifter is in Neutral the switch turns on and lets power go to the solenoid when you turn the Key. In order to bypass this switch someone probably jumped the wires together leaving the wires from the safety switch loose.

That safety switch is probably the most inportant safety device on your tractor. If the switch has been bypassed and someone tries to start the tractor while standing beside it instead of sitting on it the tractor could take off if it's in gear. Killed or injured a lot of people in the past. As long as you're the only one operating the machine and be careful it will however work just not recommended.

I know I didn't give you any trouble shooting tips as I don't know how it's wired but in general the safety switch is wired in series between the key switch and the starter solenoid. hope this helps.

 

[mitch becton]

qapla auto correct and good hit of old age not reading what these crazy machines let us put into them years ago worked for goodyear when they installed computers at retail stores one of the ibm peoples favorite saying was junkin-junkout still true today