Starter solenoid clicks a few times before cranking

[Ed in Maine]

Have had this issue for years and even replaced solenoid, slightly costly. Turns out that when I split my tractor, I fixed it and it starts on first turn of key. I had disconnected the neutral and pto safety switches, put some electrical spray on them. And I think that's what fixed it.
That current going to the solenoid goes through each of those safety switches so a bad contact will cause an issue.

 

[jnelson]

Ed,

That is a problem that plagues a lot of compact tractors and has been discussed in other threads. The safety switches collectively create enough resistance that there is not enough energy across them to energize the solenoid. One solution is to wire in a relay that is energized from the original solenoid wire and directs power to the solenoid directly from the battery - see http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/cub-cadet/157287-cub-cadet-6284-power-take.html. That cure worked well for me for several years and then eventually even that failed to start the tractor in cold weather. At that point I purchased a sealed rubber covered push button starter switch and installed it to bypass the safety switches all together - simple and starts every time now. I can post pictures of the push button switch if you like. It installed nicely in the panel below the dash in an area the factory provided for installing some type of option I guess. The switch is only a couple of bucks at auto parts stores.

JN

 

[Tony H]

Just did the same with my old girl (Cub Cadet 782) . In my case, like yours, the power to the Starter solenoid ran through the Brake switch and front PTO switch.
Sometime the solenoid would chatter a but. Sometimes just not make a good Snap to the Solenoid to get a good connection to the Starter. I rewired the 20+ year old tractor so I tossed the Ignition Switch all together. One switch to run 12V to the Coil and a Push button direct to the Starter. One thing I did that is on teh original schematics but maybe not necessary; when teh engine cranks, the connection between Voltage regulator and battery is supposed to disconnect. I did this with a 'Normally Closed' relay.
I guess the thought is when the Starter is trying to crank and hittin gteh battery hard, that's no time for the Armeture to work hard to try and charge the battery.