sparks from starter switch?

BigTone · Jan 6, 2012

went to start the m today, first time in about 2 years...new batt. cables, new cable from push button switch to starter and new starting switch....we hooked everything up to the battery and put the charger on the battery, it was dead so we were going to let it charge for a while but we got antsy!!! i turned the key on, hit the button (battery was still getting juice from the charger) and a spark shot out from where the batt. cables hook to the starter switch. after that, no sparks, no reading on the ammeter (not sure if it was reading anything before, didnt look)....do you think i smoked the push button switch? im planning on cleaning all the connections tomarrow and start checking for power with my tester....any advice will help

sflem849 · Jan 6, 2012

bad (loose or dirty) connection

souNdguy · Jan 6, 2012

ditto on signs of bad connection when you get a spark at a connector..

Dougct · Jan 6, 2012

my M did the same,take your starter button off and pry it open with a screw driver,you will find the thin strip of metal between the contacts will be broken or fryed.when u put a new button on it will turn over much better.they are all made the same and i change mine every few years.

gene bender · Jan 7, 2012

You had a bad connection there better check it out.

SadFarmall · Jan 7, 2012

As a matter of interest, is this a problem with newer replacement switches or just a case of [i:b380f755ad]anno domini[/i:b380f755ad]? The switch on my Farmall M is over fifty years old and has never even looked like going wrong, though to be fair I nearly always start the tractor with crank handle as it has magneto ignition.
SadFarmall

BigTone · Jan 7, 2012

From what I have heard, the problem with the switchs are the 12 volt systems, they are built for 6 volt and the IH guy told me yesterday that you have to be carefull with them when using the 12 volt....6 volt never seems to have an issue

rustyfarmall · Jan 7, 2012

(quoted from post at 16:39:05 01/06/12) went to start the m today, first time in about 2 years...new batt. cables, new cable from push button switch to starter and new starting switch....we hooked everything up to the battery and put the charger on the battery, it was dead so we were going to let it charge for a while but we got antsy!!! i turned the key on, hit the button (battery was still getting juice from the charger) and a spark shot out from where the batt. cables hook to the starter switch. after that, no sparks, no reading on the ammeter (not sure if it was reading anything before, didnt look)....do you think i smoked the push button switch? im planning on cleaning all the connections tomarrow and start checking for power with my tester....any advice will help

You didn't have a good, clean connection, and maybe you didn't get that nut quite tight enough. The spark you saw more or less "welded" the connection, and that is why you didn't see it again. Take it apart, use some emery cloth and make the mating surfaces nice and bright, and then make sure the nut is TIGHT. Not likely there is any permanent damage.

TheDurk · Jan 7, 2012

I replaced my IH switch with an Echlin from NAPA made for school buses. It's a little harder to push but better made and heavier duty than the original (and my 140 was born 12V). It's been in there about twenty years now and no sign of trouble.

sparks from starter switch?

BigTone

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sflem849

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souNdguy

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Dougct

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gene bender

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SadFarmall

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BigTone

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rustyfarmall

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TheDurk

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