Neutral Safety Switch

[Tsulli55]

Hello everyone, I have a Massey Ferguson Industrial 20 with a MF100 front end loader. I'm having a problem starting my tractor. When I turn the key all I get is a light click, one time when I turn the key. I had the starter checked and the solenoid is working, I replaced the ignition switch and i have a new battery. I think it might be a neutral safety switch problem but I haven't got a clue as to where the neutral switch is located on this tractor. I feel like I've looked over the entire tractor but can't see it anywhere. Is there anyone out the who is familiar with these machine? it's a great tractor when it's running. I've also tried looking online for information but I'm at a total loss. It has a Perkins 3 cylinder gas engine, 3 speed with high/low and a shuttle shift. any help would be a God-send. Thanks

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome:

I'm going to move your thread over to our Massey section. Someone over there should be able to offer advice.

 

[Coyote machine]

Welcome to TBN.
How many hours on the tractor? Why did you replace your battery, and ignition switch?
How did you 'check' your starter?
In general, swapping out parts is the most costly way to solve electrical issues. One needs to check things step by step via logic. So, You may have a relay that is tied into your ignition switch which would supply lower voltage to the starter's solenoid and make the starter engage the flywheel and turn over your engine and allow it to start.
Maybe someone who has a MF of this year/model can assist in finding a wiring diagram of your starting system so you can trace out the circuit until you find the issue.
I would suggest no more parts changing until you know what is causing the problem....

 

[Tsulli55]

Thanks Coyote. Well my battery was about 5 years old and wouldn't take a charge. I took the starter in to a Massey dealer and had them bench test it but all I really knew afterwards was that solenoid was working. Ichanged the ignition switch bc I couldn't think of anything else it could . The tractor has somewhere north of 3,000 hours. I used a volt meter to check for battery voltage at the solenoid and it was equal to battery voltage. I've tried looking for a wiring diagram but came up empty handed. I hope I answered everything you asked. I believe my 20 is a 1969 model. Thanks again Coyote Machine

 

[Tsulli55]

:welcome:

I'm going to move your thread over to our Massey section. Someone over there should be able to offer advice.

Thank you Catherine

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks Coyote. Well my battery was about 5 years old and wouldn't take a charge. I took the starter in to a Massey dealer and had them bench test it but all I really knew afterwards was that solenoid was working. Ichanged the ignition switch bc I couldn't think of anything else it could . The tractor has somewhere north of 3,000 hours. I used a volt meter to check for battery voltage at the solenoid and it was equal to battery voltage. I've tried looking for a wiring diagram but came up empty handed. I hope I answered everything you asked. I believe my 20 is a 1969 model. Thanks again Coyote Machine

OK, and you're welcome!
OK on the battery replacement if it's 5 years old. When they tested the starter, they determined it would engage the Bendix gear to spin the flywheel, when the starter is energized, probably via a relay which drops the amount of current flowing through the starting circuit to allow the solenoid to kick the Bendix, etc. without putting too much voltage through the wiring. You should have voltage at the starter small tab connector of the solenoid as you turn the key to crank. That is where you want to check next. Either clip the positive led of your meter to the tab with a alligator clip or have someone else touch the meter probe to the tab while you have the key in crank position. Unless you have 12 volts going to the solenoid tab while in crank position on the key switch it will never start. Report back results.
Also, looking back to your first post, you said one click when turning the key. Is this still the same after the new ignition switch?
If there was a neutral safety you might get one click when the NS switch locks you out from cranking the starter. Have you located any relays on the firewall, for instance? See if you can locate where that click is emanatring from with an extra person or you turning the key while the 2nd person seeks the click source...
Would something that old even have a NS switch?
You also need to verify your ground and positive cable have NO corrosion at the battery terminals, at the starter and at the frame. As well, sometimes the cables from the battery corrode internally and drop voltage when under a load like trying to juice the starter....

 

[Tsulli55]

I looked around the firewall but didn't see any relays so I looked at my battery cables and noticed a lot of corrosion inside. That must have been the issue because the old gal fired right up after replacing it! Thank you one more time for the advice Coyote Machine. I can't tell you how much it's appreciated.

 

[Coyote machine]

I looked around the firewall but didn't see any relays so I looked at my battery cables and noticed a lot of corrosion inside. That must have been the issue because the old gal fired right up after replacing it! Thank you one more time for the advice Coyote Machine. I can't tell you how much it's appreciated.

Hey, that's great! Problem solved; and you needed a battery anyway, so no wasted expense there.
Curious though, which cable was corroded inside the sheathing? I'm guessing the ground, but please post back to tell us which; it could help someone else with a similar vintage tractor.
Tractor on!:thumbsup:

 

[prberger]

Neutral safety switch is under a little (1") rubber cap on the top of the transmission. Has a pressure ball inside that is pushed up when in neutral thus making the connection. When High or low, ball is not up and no connection thus no power. Has two wires coming out. My problem is that one has broken loose and cannot find where to re-attach. Its the orange black and I think it goes to the starter switch but not sure.

Hello everyone, I have a Massey Ferguson Industrial 20 with a MF100 front end loader. I'm having a problem starting my tractor. When I turn the key all I get is a light click, one time when I turn the key. I had the starter checked and the solenoid is working, I replaced the ignition switch and i have a new battery. I think it might be a neutral safety switch problem but I haven't got a clue as to where the neutral switch is located on this tractor. I feel like I've looked over the entire tractor but can't see it anywhere. Is there anyone out the who is familiar with these machine? it's a great tractor when it's running. I've also tried looking online for information but I'm at a total loss. It has a Perkins 3 cylinder gas engine, 3 speed with high/low and a shuttle shift. any help would be a God-send. Thanks