Farmall C will not crank over

Beatles65 · Dec 26, 2009

Went out to start my 1948 Farmall C today to clear the driveway and it wouldn't even crank over. I had just charged the Battery with a new charger. The lights work. I pulled the starting rod and there's nothing. Anyone have any ideas as to what is going on. I need this to be running.

Would the temperture have anything to do with it, i think it was around 25 degrees today.

Any help would be great. Thanks, Andrew.

Dave 2N · Dec 26, 2009

Based on my experience with my Super C, it sounds like the starter is locked. Loosen the studs holding the starter just enough to wiggle the starter a little bit. Or--even before doing that, tap the starter with a wrench.

Locked starter is a common problem with C's and Super C's. Can be an indication that you need a new starter drive or ring gear or both.

clint s · Dec 26, 2009

Is the switch pulled out all the way? Do the lights Dim when you pull? Do you have voltage to the saddle?
Could be bad a bad ground, Bad switch, bad wire, bad starter/ starter stuck on ring gear.

Check for voltage first. With the switch on, test for voltage at the saddle if you have it it is the starter or bad ground remove and bench test starter and clean both surfaces reinstall and try again.
If not work your way back to the switch. If you have voltage before the switch and not after, bad switch, if voltage after the switch, bad wire. No voltage before the switch, bad wiring from there.

Sounds like a bad ground though.

mkirsch · Dec 27, 2009

It seems very popular to suspect a locked starter when in reality that problem doesn't really happen that often.

Much more common is a dirty connection. Battery connections corrode quickly, and if you don't maintain them, one day you'll go to start your tractor and... nothing, not even a click.

Clean, shiny, and tight for battery connections... If you have those temporary clamp-on replacement ends on the cables, you need to take those apart and clean them up too. It may be necessary to clip off the end of the cable and strip fresh wire.

MasseyTodd · Dec 27, 2009

Being fairly new to old tractors, my Massey 101 jr. (shouldn't mention that here) did the same thing. I am familiar with most other motors, so checked the battery, cleaned the cables, tapped on the starter, and still only a click. Called my BIL and he asked if I still had the hand crank, he said to turn it over 1/2 crank. Pressed the button and it started right up. If yours doesn't have a crank, I suppose the same could be done by putting it in gear and rocking it.

Jocephus79 · Dec 27, 2009

I call Bull &*%$ on this one
I'll bet its the saddle switch on top of the starter. Clean the contact area in it and it should be fine.

Beatles65 · Dec 27, 2009

Thanks for all of the help guys, cleaned the connectors and the battery with a wire battery terminal cleaner and she started, just a bad connection. Thanks again. Andrew

Farmall C will not crank over

Beatles65

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Dave 2N

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clint s

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mkirsch

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MasseyTodd

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Jocephus79

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Beatles65

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