Starter problem Simplicity 9020 with 20 hp Onan

[John S.]

Hello,

My tractor sat for a while, and now the only way for me to start it is to turn key on, and touch a wire to starter hot cable and solenoid post on starter. Any easy fix for this? To remove starter I have to remove engine - a big job I'd rather avoid. It seems to turn on by key after tractor runs a while, but when cold, I need to hot wire it. Is starter junk? I heard they are not rebuild-able. Thanks. John.

 

[mostly_gas]

Check battery with volt meter and see if you have 12.5 volts or more. If your battery has low voltage or has an internal short and self discharging. If battery ok then look at solenoid area, Make sure when you turn the key to start that the small wire on solenoid has full battery voltage. If both battery and key wire check out then your solenoid is probably bad.

 

[John S.]

Gas,

Thanks for the help. The battery is good, and new ground cable. I'll check the switch wire, and if hot, I'll know the solenoid is gone. I use the tractor for snow removal, so if I can get by for a while with the jumping until I get tired of doing so, I'll change the starter. John.

 

[mitch becton]

when you put jumper wire on solenoid are you touching the battery lead post or the one that comes from within the starter also known as the field wire because that is what feeds from. if you are touching the battery feed post and it starts you probably have a bad ignition switch or somethig related there to. if you put the power to the field wire and it starts then the solenoid is worth looking at. you made the comment about not sure if your unit is repairable or not most of the old onan can be repaired by starter rebuild shop may take a few days to find the parts but it can be fixed. if you will post your location i will get you a phone number for a rebuilder in your area.


mitch becton
wmbecton@comcast.net

 

[John S.]

Hello Mitch,

The tractor starts most of the time right now. i think by touching the hot wire from battery to the solenoid post, it must have cleared up some of the corrosion that was preventing contact. I have been able to start it about five times in a row now (fingers crossed), so it leads me to believe it is a corrosion problem in the solenoid.
I am north of Boston, MA, 978 area code. I'd like a good starter/electrical man to send things to when needed, so if you have someone in mind, please post their contact info. I have two of these tractors, and prefer to keep them original, so I will have the starter rebuilt when this problem doesn't fix itself.
Thanks for the help, guys. I'm also in the market for any original Goodyear tires, or a good CCKB engine to have as a spare.
Best regards. John.