Ym1720 won't crank or start

Eberle · May 1, 2015

First post on here, just bought my first tractor a ym1720d last week, under 500 hours on it. Everything seemed to be working great, until today. Went out this morning to start it, turned the key back until the little light went out, turned to start it and it cranked a few times "kinda made a grinding noise" tried a few more times and now it's completely dead. Lights come on but nothing happens when I turn the key, no clicking, grinding nothing, I tried turning the headlights on and they come on but don't even dim when I turn the key. I hooked a jump starter upto it thinking it needed a jump but it made no difference.

Please help. . . Thanks

clemsonfor · May 1, 2015

Can you carnk it by touching your jumper cables directly to the power bolt on the starter and isolate it away from all the ignition wireing?

Sounds like either a switch or starter/solenoid problem here.

HoyeTractor · May 1, 2015

Could also be a clutch safety switch that is bad or needs adjusting.

Eberle · May 1, 2015

I'll try that when I get home this evening, thanks. How would I check the clutch safety switch?

amaxwell · May 1, 2015

clemsonfor said:
Can you carnk it by touching your jumper cables directly to the power bolt on the starter and isolate it away from all the ignition wireing?

Sounds like either a switch or starter/solenoid problem here.

PLEASE make SURE the tractor is in neutral, if you try the "wire to bolt starter" method.

HoyeTractor · May 1, 2015

How would I check the clutch safety switch?

There are two wires going to the clutch safety switch. If you hook those two wires together the switch is bypassed. This is only a short term diagnostic tool. Don't leave it that way.

You can also use an ohm meter to see if you have continuity between the two terminals on the switch when the clutch is pressed in.

clemsonfor · May 1, 2015

amaxwell said:
PLEASE make SURE the tractor is in neutral, if you try the "wire to bolt starter" method.

it will also run you over if you stand beside it and try and crank it with the key in clutch out.

Eberle · May 1, 2015

Alright so I made sure everything was in neutral and ran a wire straight from the battery to the starter. The solenoid clicked but nothing else. I checked the clutch safety switch and it was fine

Markey · May 1, 2015

Have you removed and cleaned the negative battery cable where it connects from the battery to the frame??? If that does not fix the problem, again run a positive cable from the battery to the large terminal on the starter AND run a negative cable from the battery to the clean metal body of the starter. This will let you know if you have a starter problem. It's a process of elimination. Once again, make sure tractor is NOT in gear, wear eye protection, and stand on the side.

kenmac · May 1, 2015

Are you sure the battery is hot enough to start the tractor ? I the battery is hot enough,Have the starter checked

TomSeller · May 1, 2015

Eberle said:
Alright so I made sure everything was in neutral and ran a wire straight from the battery to the starter. The solenoid clicked but nothing else. I checked the clutch safety switch and it was fine

What size wire? You need something big, like your jumper cable. Lots of amps involved.

careyo63 · May 2, 2015

Sounding like it's your Battery's Ground. Had the same problems not long after I bought my Ym2000. I had to replace the Neg. cable from the battery to the Frame it was so bad. That kept it going for a couple yrs. then my starter just plain wore out. It was only 75.00$ to rebuild it with a new solenoid. I would pull the starter and have it checked. Most any auto parts store will check it for you. May just be the Solenoid. If the starter works and checks out fine, Then I'd be replacing the Cables.

Eberle · May 2, 2015

Alright so I used a bigger wire and was able to get the starter to crank a little bit but it kinda it made a grinding sound and then stopped again. I'm leaning toward starter, I pulled it off and I guess I'll have it tested. Any other thoughts?

deepNdirt · May 5, 2015

over the weekend the starter on my YM sound the way you are describing ( grinding noise ) a few times and then would not crank, I did the usual troubleshooting as mentioned to no prevail, took the starter off to bench test, found the bendix is kicking out but not spinning fast, I noted it barely turning, ( grinding noise)
Looks like time for new starters for both our tractors,

Eberle · May 5, 2015

Yeah I had mine tested at the auto parts place, and they said it failed. I checked locally and no one would rebuild it so I ordered one from hoye.

deepNdirt · May 5, 2015

My research turn up new ones on ebay for around 80.00 free shipping, so I'm ordering one off there,

Neat 1500 · May 6, 2015

deepNdirt said:
My research turn up new ones on ebay for around 80.00 free shipping, so I'm ordering one off there,

Was it 100% the right one? A few guys have bought them to find that they were not compatible ( ie 9 teeth instead of 11 or vice versa) but if it is right that's a great price.

deepNdirt · May 6, 2015

Neat 1500 said:
Was it 100% the right one? A few guys have bought them to find that they were not compatible ( ie 9 teeth instead of 11 or vice versa) but if it is right that's a great price.

No I'm not 100% sure, I guess I should find out, I assumed by it showing the different YM models these starters would fit my 1700 was included, But after going back to read more about them all I could find it stating was for the 3 cyl; marina engines, another ad that was quite confusing showed 11 or 15 teeth starter to fit our ym1700 through ym2000.
I guess I'll count the old starter teeth to determine which It has before ordering,
Thank you for bringing this to my attention Neat 1500,

careyo63 · May 7, 2015

DND. There's a place in town that rebuilt mine on 5/11. PM. me and I'll give you the PH.# Had it back in 2 days. It was worn slap out and they commented they new someone was in it before.

Guaranteed and cheap and haven't had the first the first complaint. I still use a 8yr. old battery and looks like there's no reason it will make 9. Your 1700 uses the same starter as a YM240. So that is what I would tell any repair shop it came off of. That way it's a US. JD. Yanmar and not a Grey that they may not be able to get parts for.