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M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart

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Kevin Brooks

05-11-2005 09:22:03

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Folks,
Recently rewired my '51 M for alternator and fired it up yesterday...Vrroomm! As I was basically running without any gas tank ('cept what was left in the carb) I needed to shut down. Several hours later I returned to restart the M with a better fuel supply but all I got what a sold thud (sound maybe like started solenoid?) and then my makeshift idiot light went out and I had no power. My battery checked out at 12.56V afterwards - up substantially from the 11.0V prior to first start. When running the new ammeter seemed to hit ~20amp mark (amp scale large at +/- 60amp). My batter to starter cable appears larger than the usual 12v cable, might still be O.E.M from 6v days. Starter is a remanufactured 6v. Front and rear headlamps wires were disconnected due to condition. Light switch was in low or dim position. (Which way is OFF? Decal in worn away and only partial lettering can be seen.) Is there a dimmer resistor which I can replace made for 12v, if not, where could or should I place one? Are there light switches made for 12v systems and would that be more appropriate? Lastly, is there an in-line, smaller-sized resistor that can replace the newly installed ballast resistor?
All help and comments appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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Nat

05-12-2005 08:00:18

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

Does the light only go out when you're holding the starter button, or did it go out and stay out?

There are two distinct possible scenarios, both discussed at length below.

If the light comes back on when you release the starter button, you have a jammed starter.

If the light is out for the count, you have a wiring problem.

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Kevin Brooks

05-12-2005 09:21:01

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Nat, 05-12-2005 08:00:18

Once the light went out it stayed out. I hear nothing from the starter, either.

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onefarmer

05-11-2005 13:02:45

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

I used the 6v switch for years and never burned it out. Of course never ran it dim much. I don't know why they had a dim anyway. I just took out the 6v bulbs and put in the brightest 12v I could find.

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Eastsider

05-11-2005 12:39:49

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

If you need a resistor for a 12 volt light switch, they can be found. The normal 6 volt one has one wrap of wiring, while the 12 volt one will have two wraps of wiring on it. I have found both types while searching for lighting parts in the past.

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arod

05-11-2005 11:12:17

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

If your light went out, I would think a bad battery cable connection. Happens on old pickup just the same all the time. A dirty post and cable connection will COMPLETELY break the current. Hard to believe as they are both snug, but hey, clean them and VROOOM. Also I had an M where the bendix gear would not retract and overshoot and hang on the ring gear. Have to loosen the starter bolts and rock it til it tugs out if that is the case, annoying but elementary to fix.

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Richard Fazio

05-11-2005 10:43:51

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

I have to go with Bob. I'll bet your battery cables to the battery connection is dirty. Clean them up and put it back together. The light going out is the clue. You have no power at all. Happens to me once a year on one of my tractors. You always think it's something terrible and it turns out to be nothing. Hopefully!

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Bob M

05-11-2005 10:24:16

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

Kevin - Your sudden "power failure" is probably a bad connection in one of the battery cables. Look for a loose/dirty connnection at frame ground and at the starter switch. Also check for a bad terminal clamp and for corrosion hidden under the insulation at both terminal clamps.

The light switch "off" is all the way to the left.

Don't know if anyone makes a 12 volt dimmer resistor. Wouldn't be hard to make your own from an old ballast resistor. (Note: Even on the "bright" setting the lights are not terribly bright. On "dim" they are pretty much useless. Consequently I have never understood the need for the dim setting!)

Don't know of a smaller size ballast resistor. However if you are not a stickler for originality you can always swap the stock 6 volt coil for an internally-ballasted 12 volt coil (no external ballast resistor required).

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Janicholson

05-11-2005 10:01:52

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-11-2005 09:22:03

I believe you have a JAMMED starter, not a blown starter. With the Ignition OFF, put the shifter in high (5th) gear. Get one or two people pushing on the rear tires forward and back rocking the tractor. Do this violently !!!! you will hear a loud clickish thud and the starter will be free. (take it out of gear before starting) This is a common problem and the fix is discussed in a host of posts in the archives. look for M starter problems.
95% chance of this being the prob.
JimN

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Kevin Brooks

05-12-2005 09:25:13

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Janicholson, 05-11-2005 10:01:52

If I cannot move the tractor would any harm be done if I just removed the starter?
Also, any gaskets around the starter that might need replacing once removed?

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farmallhal

05-12-2005 14:03:46

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Re: M rewired, fired up, blew starter on restart in reply to Kevin Brooks, 05-12-2005 09:25:13

No gaskets associated with the starter removal. Mine had two bolts holding it on and was simple to remove. Also easy to reinstall. If starter is jammed, removing it should free the jam. You might want to have it checked at NAPA while it's out if you feel you have a starter problem. You won't hurt anything by removing and checking the starter.

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