IH 574 Problems Starting

I'm having intermittent problems starting my IH 574.

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Symptoms
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1. Turn the key to the start position.
2. Sometimes I hear a click (not sure what that is coming from). Many times I don't hear a click. In either case, the starter motor doesn't even try to crank the engine. The problem seems to be getting worse because I used to regularly hear a click and it would sound like the starter would try to crank the engine. But it sounded like it didn't have enough power. This problem is only during cold weather. However, there are times where it has started during cold weather.

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Additional information
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It has set outside for about 2 years. We use it at least once a week in the summer and maybe once a month in the winter when we get heavy snows. This winter, it has set a lot.

The battery is fairly new - about 1 year old. We have placed it on a charger to make sure that it is fully charged.

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Debugging the problem
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I suspect that the problem is electrical. I've tried several obvious things in an effort to fix the problem. I've looked at wires, connections, reseated battery terminals. But nothing has really fixed the problem. Usually, after several days, the tractor will just start. Many times (but not all times) it starts when the weather warms, usually above freezing.

Can anyone tell me what terminals that I could short on the solenoid in order to bypass the switch?

Is there a way to tell if I have a grounding issue in the starting circuit?

Where are the grounding points on an IH 574?

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding what might be the problem or how I should go about debugging the issue?

Thanks,
-- Aaron

Several of you inquired about the type of engine. It is gas.

-- Aaron

I was always tought to check the cable for resistance. I did that on this one and it tested fine, but after all dignosis and cleanup it was all that was left an turned out to be it.

JimB

Disconnect battery. Next remove starter and see of the bendix or drive starter turns easily. It should not and you would have a broken bendix.

Hope these two things might help. If not you may have starter problems with brushes or the starter swithch itself.

Jerry Gilliam

To bypass the key to see if there is a problem there, put the tractor in neutral, and lock the brakes!!!!!

With the key in the on position, jump briefly between the battery non grounded post, and the little post on the relay. (no need to disconnect the wire unless it has an insulator on it that keeps you from contacting with the jumper)
This will spin the starter. If it just clicks, and nothing else happens, the starter may be open. Tap on the starter with a plastic hammer on the end away from the engine, and try it again. If successful, it needs a set of brushes, and bushings. (rebuilt)
If not , the relay may be bad. check to see if there is voltage going to the starter when the jumper is briefly connected. If so the starter is open, and needs rebuilt. If not it is the relay.
A bad ignition switch, or wires going to it, or from it will also cause the relay to work or not.
But the above should isolate the issue. Keep us in the loop. more info is available with some of your diagnostics. JimN