Starting Problems - 2005 New Holland TC35A

[RjCorazza]

I have had this problem on several tractors (especially older John Deeres). There seems to be to much voltage drop on the small wires in the loop to the starter solenoid. From where ever the ignition switch is getting it's power through the switch contacts then through the various safety contact switches then to the starter solenoid. There isn't enough voltage/power to pull the starter solenoid completely and engage the starter motor gear and make contact with the heavy duty switch at the back of the solenoid which connects the battery to the actual starter motor.

To remedy this put a small 40amp relay right at the starter "https://www.amazon.com/PACK-AMP-Wat...lja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1"
All the key switch has to do is pull this small relay which will power the starter solenoid. See attached diagram. What you want to do is remove the small trigger wire from the solenoid and connect it to pin #86(white wire). Ground pin #85(black) to block. Wire pin #87(blue) to small terminal of solenoid where you removed the key switch wire. Run a wire from the large battery terminal to pin # 30(red). Now when the key switch actuates the low power relay the solenoid is going to get full 12 volt power. Hope this is making sense and good luck.

This is what I did for my Kubota ZD mowers that had starter solenoid activation problems. Worked great!
You can find pre wired kits, or put it together yourself for very little $$$.

 

[Diggin It]

If I repeatedly turn the ignition switch 10+ times it will all of a suddent engage the starter and start right up. At other times (total randam but rare) it will start on the first turn of the key.

What is the problem? Do I need a new ignition switch?

I would start there (no pun intended).

That fact that it will at times engage and start without any other problems seems to eliminate all of the potential cables, contacts, relays and so on.

 

[woolyAcres]

We long had starting issues with our NH45. We've replaced the ignition switch without much difference, checked all the safety switches multiple times, cleaned the grounds and battery terminals. For about a year we were starting the tractor by touching a hot wire from battery to starter. Finally replaced the battery and haven't had problems since. I can't honestly say what the solution is/was but it hasn't given trouble since the new battery installation.

 

[tmeric7]

There seems to be to much voltage drop on the small wires in the loop to the starter solenoid. From where ever the ignition switch is getting it's power through the switch contacts then through the various safety contact switches then to the starter solenoid. There isn't enough voltage/power to pull the starter solenoid completely and engage the starter motor gear and make contact with the heavy duty switch at the back of the solenoid which connects the battery to the actual starter motor.

To remedy this put a small 40amp relay right at the starter "https://www.amazon.com/PACK-AMP-Wat...lja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1"

Agreed, and well-explained! This is what thclimer was getting at, and what I meant by (A). The links thclimer posts have a diagram and instructions to include this type of relay (I got mine from NAPA) specifically on these tractors.

 

[blee03]

LouNY
I tried your suggestions and when I touched the light tester to the small terminal and turn the key to start it I got a very low light. When I touched the big terminal I got a super bright light. So, per your post I’m not getting enough power to the solenoid.
Now what?
Would a bad or dirty ignition switch cause that?

Did ya make any progress on this?
Curious if you found the fix for your machine yet

 

[HotDogNewHolland]

Blee03,
I have not at this point. I tried feeling the modules to see if I could find the one that "clicked", but was unsuccessful. I did however notice one was pretty loose. I replaced that one with a brand new one and removed all of them, cleaned them and the sockets thoroughly, used electric grease and replaced them all. I finally called the dealer I bought it from and spoke to the head mechanic (who I found out was my neighbor, small world). He suggested trying a new ignition switch. If that doesn’t work he would send out is mechanic and cut me a deal on the service call.

So, the part ($59) will be in next Wednesday. I’ll post the results after that.

 

[HotDogNewHolland]

OK
My part (ignition switch) came in Saturday. I put it in this weekend and so far... the tractor has started every time I have attempted it throughout the last three days. I will update this post in a week or so because the tractor has gone through phases of starting every time and suddenly stop starting but, it’s never lasted more than a day. So, I’m thinking the new ignition switch very well may have been the problem.

Thank you all for your helpful guidance and kind comments. TractorByNet is the place to be…

 

[blee03]

Yeah let us know... if it ends up doing the trick for you I'm going to replace mine and

 

[WM75Guy]

Thanks for letting us know.

 

[HotDogNewHolland]

OK...

I hate to say, but it was starting every time I tried it ... UNTIL Sunday. I actually let it set up for a few days because it have been so hot and no rain the grass didn't grow and when I tried to start it Sunday it did the same ole same ole. "Click" "Click" "Click" "Click" "Click" "Click" 10 to 15 times then it cranks up like there's no problem.
So, I called the tractor dealer service manager and told him what's going on, cuz he's the one that suggested I install a new ignition switch. Now he's saying it could be a safety switch in the clutch. Well according to my research and manual, the clutch does not have a safety switch and I have by-passed ALL of the others to no avail. Then he said it could be the wiring harness and could be a short or corroded connection somewhere. He won't send out his mechanic because every time they have come out it starts right up. He said he needs the tractor at his shop so that when it does act up they can attempt to find the problem.
So, that's where I'm at. I do not own a trailer big enough to haul it. I'm either going to have to pay them to come get it or find a neighbor and pay him to take it to the tractor dealer.
The installation that thclimer posted relative to the relay along with the diagram and instructions would probably work... BUT! I might as well read Chinese. I can't and never have been able to understand electrical diagrams and would likely catch my tractor on fire if I attempted it. I know many of you are probably thinking that it’s the easiest thing in the world, but not I. I'm a bank auditor that owns a tractor. nough said(?)...
If anyone has a solution I’m all ears. Unfortunately, I feel like I’m going to have to pay the dealer mechanic and pray that what he said is the problem, is actually the problem and it finally gets fixed.

Thank you all so very much for all you have contributed to my post so far.

 

[thclimer]

I can understand being intimidated by the electrical mod.

Is there anyone who you know that could help you in person do the modification?

If I was within an hours drive I'd be there tomorrow to help you.

 

[HotDogNewHolland]

That is very kind of you and I'd send you home with some fresh tomatoes and okra from my garden.
My brother in-law is actually an electrical engineer who designed power stations for two different power companies. Last year he retired and moved to Dallas. I never see him anymore and am likely not going to. Well, at least not long enough for him to actually help me on this project.
I wish there was a way you could make the design and all I had to do was splice it into a couple of wires. That I could do.
Thank you friend.

 

[dlctcg]

@HotDogNewHolland - I'm with @thclimer on this... We have both (& many others) suggested this fix multiple time on this forum... It has worked on our TC40D for the past many years with no issues...

If you think you are comfortable enough installing a pre-wired starter relay mod, I could wire one up & send it out to you... You would need to splice it into you harness...

One other thing you really should check & rule out if you haven't already is make sure your Positive & Negative Battery cables are good... NH cables are known to fail even when they look good... they corrode internally which adds a tone of resistance to the circuits. Mean you will see 12+ volts with a meter but will not have the proper amperage.... I have a post somewhere that explains the testing of the cables. I'll find it & post it up here for you also...

Below is a PDF diagram that was posted a while ago by another member of this forum... It is a pretty clear outline of the NH Starter Mod...

I also attached a pic of the relay I installed on our machine

 

[dlctcg]

@HotDogNewHolland - Here is the info I mentioned on testing the battery cables....

This is some info that I have posted previously that may help with the diagnosis....

Cable Test:
Older New Holland battery cables often corrode inside the terminal where it is sometimes impossible to see; not sure it was an issue with your particular yr / model... You will often have voltage so everything seems good. (gauges & all are working). So you will have voltage but they will not supply the required Amperage.

You can test if there is an issue with your existing battery cables pretty simply.

Remove the negative battery cable & then take a negative jumper cable wire and place it on the bare negative post of your tractor battery. Connect the other end to a solid clean ground of the tractor (bare metal location). Try starting the tractor & see if that makes a difference...

If that doesn't change anything you can do the same process on the positive post. Disconnect the Negative jumper from the Battery terminal. Then using your positive jumper cable attach one end to where the positive battery cable connects to the starter (connect this end first), and the other end to the positive battery post (last). Make sure the jumper cable is not able to arc to near by metal. Now reconnect the Negative jumper cable to the battery & try starting the tractor again & see if that changes anything...

Doing this process you basically bypassed the battery cables on the machine

 

[HotDogNewHolland]

I will try the battery cable bypass this evening and let you know tomorrow as long as I can get to it. It was 103 here yesterday and I could only tolerate a few moments at a time outside. This wasn’t an issue when I was young, but age has taken its toll.

I also intend to re-inspect every wire to make sure there is nothing loose or corroded in areas I can see.

If that doesn't clear up this issue I'll let you know about the pre-wired relay offer. As long as I can safely identify the correct wires to splice into, then YES I would greatly appreciate your doing so. I will reimburse you for all expenses.
Thank you friend for you generous offer.

 

[thclimer]

Oh my 103 is way too hot, I know what you mean about not being able to tolerate the heat as you age, its happened to me also.

I would be very surprised if the starting circuit modification does not solve your consistent starting issue.