Tractor not starting, bad starter?

[STx]

Can't get the tractor to start this morning. Starter spins but there's a grinding sound. I thought surely a bad starter but, pulled the starter out and engaged it and it's throwing the gear and spinning fine and that has me a little confused. I don't really know what else it could be though. I would welcome any alternative suggestions or confirmation of my initial diagnosis.

Video here - Starter - YouTube

 

[rdinatal]

Check the starter gear. Are the teeth good, none missing or broken?
Check the flywheel where the starter engages for the same.
Check if the starter movement is smooth, any binding, dry?

Just the process of taking the starter out and spinning it may have loosened up the shaft and gear movement.

-R

 

[STx]

The teeth all look fine, none missing and no obvious chunks. The video was shot after re-installing it. Since it all looked good, I hoped that maybe it would work if reinstalled. It never does but, I hoped anyway.

 

[KubotainNH]

That sounds like the gear isn't being pushed out to the flywheel. I used to have a truck that had a bad spot on the flywheel, it made a grinding noise. Good idea to check the flywheel at that spot but unless there's a big chunk taken out or something is no longer lined up it should make some noise more than a free spinning starter.

 

[rdinatal]

Did you check the movement of the starter drive? You should be able to spin it by hand to check the outward movement along the shaft. No binding or sticking.

Spin the gear by hand. Which way can you spin it? One way, or both? Don't let the motor spin, just the gear.

-R

 

[STx]

Here are the gears. I don't see anything but, maybe I'm missing it.

 

[747driver]

Had the same problem with my Kioti. I could start the tractor by jumping it at the starter. When using the key it wouldn't. I read a posting where the key switch gets dirty and corroded not allowing current to flow to the starter when you turn the key to the start position. So i went to the store and bought electrical cleaner in a spray can and gave it a few squirts into the switch then turned the key off and on a few times to cleaner the contacts. Success !!! You might give it a try.

 

[rdinatal]

Take a picture of the gears in this area, please...



-R

 

[boomer1025]

Spray the starter drive gear with some lube, looks very dry and possibly binding.

 

[STx]

Had the same problem with my Kioti. I could start the tractor by jumping it at the starter. When using the key it wouldn't. I read a posting where the key switch gets dirty and corroded not allowing current to flow to the starter when you turn the key to the start position. So i went to the store and bought electrical cleaner in a spray can and gave it a few squirts into the switch then turned the key off and on a few times to cleaner the contacts. Success !!! You might give it a try.

This particular tractor, NH TC40DA, has an issue with the safety switches making the key not work. The "approved" fix is to install a relay for the starter solenoid, I just ran a wire straight from the battery to a push button and then to the solenoid to bypass all of it. I know I've getting good power to the solenoid.

 

[STx]

Take a picture of the gears in this area, please...

View attachment 493024

-R

Here you go -

 

[KubotainNH]

I would like to see the inside of that starter. I think you'll find something is sticking or broken inside it. The external gear spins but may not have any torque. That unit looks like it will have gears inside.

 

[STx]

I decided to go with my initial impression and replace the starter. Fortunately, the dealer a couple of towns over had one and it's all fixed up. The only thing I don't like about living in a rural area is how long it takes to go get something like this if it isn't local. Almost 3 hours round trip but, at least it's fixed so I can get back to building the pad for my shop.

 

[rdinatal]

Well, that's one way to troubleshoot it!! Good luck with the build.

-R

 

[STx]

That thing has been acting up off and on for 2 years. Given that everything else was known good, I just couldn't see it being anything other than the starter.

It's only guessing if you get it wrong.

 

[RNeumann]

Pull the starter

Put 12v to starter using jumper cables with foot on it to prevent it moving

Does the starter THROW THE GEAR OUT ABOUT 3/4" and spin?

If it's just spinning the device that moves the gear out is bad- maybe hitting the side with a mallet will free it up temporarily.....but it will need replaced or rebuilt.

If you keep screwing around with it and strip even 1 tooth on the flywheel you are up a creek- your little starter issue will seem like nothing when you are pulling the motor to change the flywheel.

 

[crazyal]

Looks like a gear reduction starter. It sounds like one of the gears inside it is damaged. I would keep the bad starter for parts. I find that when you're not in an immediate need things like starters are much cheaper on-line. That old one might be able to piece your new one back together years from now and buy you enough time to order one.