Starter solenoid question....

[BobG_in_VA]

Any of you folks out there in Mahindra-land that have the 4 cly Indian Mahindras (5500 thru the 7520), ever had the starter solenoid click a few times before the starter would engage??? My 6000 (2002 model) every once in a while will only click when you hit the key. Yesterday (in the 20's for temp here) I had to hit the starter about 5 times before it caught and fired up...I had cleaned the connections to the starter from the battery (direct positive line from the battery) before trying. Just wondered......BobG in VA

 

[DieselPower]

Do you have a multimeter? If so I would check voltage at the battery and then for a voltage drop between the battery and starter. In addition to checking the positive don't forget to check your ground connections.

 

[Philscbx]

You also may need to upgrade the cables and starter solenoid.
Under sized cables, and sub temps make low amps to any starter.

I only use welding grade cable and make them for all applications.

 

[J_J]

Any of you folks out there in Mahindra-land that have the 4 cly Indian Mahindras (5500 thru the 7520), ever had the starter solenoid click a few times before the starter would engage??? My 6000 (2002 model) every once in a while will only click when you hit the key. Yesterday (in the 20's for temp here) I had to hit the starter about 5 times before it caught and fired up...I had cleaned the connections to the starter from the battery (direct positive line from the battery) before trying. Just wondered......BobG in VA

Like Dieselpower said, but also do this. Connect your meter to the starter side of the solenoid and try to start. If the starter is drawing current , the voltage will or should go down to about 8 volts. If the meter voltage does not change very much, then clean both battery connections, and remove and clean the ends of the battery cables, especially ground connection. If any of this does not work, take a jumper cable and another battery and put the positive cable directly on the starter terminal. If it does not start, then the starter needs work. If it starts, then your solenoid needs to be re laced. In the old days, we used to take the solenoid apart and clean or reverse the copper ring in the solenoid. You can still do this, but it is put together with rivets, and you grind them off and do what you can, or just go and purchase a new solenoid .

 

[jwcinpk]

Bob,
I've had to replace the starter on my 6000 twice. Both were under warranty. Generally speaking you are describing the beginning of solenoid failure. Mahindra attributes this to bad grounds on these machines. Hope I'm wrong, but that's the way it started for me. The longer it goes the more often it will click until one day it won't engage at all.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Bob,
I've had to replace the starter on my 6000 twice. Both were under warranty. Generally speaking you are describing the beginning of solenoid failure. Mahindra attributes this to bad grounds on these machines. Hope I'm wrong, but that's the way it started for me. The longer it goes the more often it will click until one day it won't engage at all.

Thanks for the reply....I think I remember a thread you had about this a few years ago....I cleaned the connections at the starter and it has done OK since. I've still got the original battery (knock on wood as I type....) in it (2002 model). I was sure it was the battery as we've had a pretty good cold snap lately...I ran it a couple of days ago and it fired right up...I hope it can make it to spring....BobG in VA

 

[dqdave1]

Ground the starter directly to the battery. Check voltage from key switch to soleinoid for voltage drop. Sometimes , after current goes through all the safety switches, voltage is to low to energize solenoid.

 

[10865]

Ground the starter directly to the battery. Check voltage from key switch to soleinoid for voltage drop. Sometimes , after current goes through all the safety switches, voltage is to low to energize solenoid.

I found a solenoid bypass kit from Bill's Tractor that will usually cure the problem.
It just jumps from the battery directly to the solenoid but still keeps the safety switches in operation.
Bill