I have a related question about my 1630 starter switch. I bought this tractor 2 weeks ago (1st gen Boomer, 1998, 27HP FWD/HYD--289 hours), it's my first diesel machine. I was confused because the manual described a 4-position starter switch, and I only noticed 3--the starter cranks in the 3rd position. I got confused thinking the glow plugs were on in the 2nd position. Starting it took several tries, a higher throttle, and created lots of black smoke. THEN, I noticed that the glow plug light was not coming on in the 2nd position (DUH!), and realized that there are indeed 4 positions on the switch. However, the starter kicks in in the 3rd position -- so I've discovered that if I leave it in gear, the neutral safety shuts the starter down and I can run the glow plugs for 5-6 seconds. Then back to "N" and she starts right up. (Still puffs a little smoke for a few seconds if cold, but it sounds like this is not so unusual).
So, I'm wondering if anyone has seen this--it could be the switch, or maybe it could be the glow plug relay or the starter safety relay. I can't quite figure from the schematic how these interact, but the other symptom is that the gow plug light--which the manual says shuts off after 4 seconds-- never actually shuts off, as long as I hold it in position 3.
Any advice? I could keep hitting the glow plugs in gear, but I'm not happy about getting used to that, especially when I know that the only thing stopping it from cranking in gear is that neutral safety switch.
Thanks
(PS although it's not a "TC", I'm really happy with it--after 9 years with a 9N, it's amazing to have a machine that does all the work, not just most of it!!!)