Electrical - won't start - bad ground?

Royalwapiti · Jun 4, 2012

I have a 460 Utility that has always given me trouble about once a year with my ground cable. I recently replaced it with a longer one and tried attaching it under the seat on the frame. I scuffed the paint under the connector. The old ground was short and only grounded to the metal battery box. The battery box is thoroughly rusted now, as the tractor sits outside year round.

Now when I turn the ignition on the ammeter jumps to the -10 position and when I actually hit the start position on the ignition it goes to -20 and stays there until I turn the key off again.

I am stumped. I have tried moving my ground to different places and now think it might be something else.

I thought maybe it was the ignition and took it out of the instrument panel but I did get the tractor to turn over briefly. with it out so i put it back in.

Any suggestions? Thanks

Andrew Z · Jun 4, 2012

Just throwing this out there are you sure your starter is 100%. How is your positive cable, connections on the battery? Can you turn it over if you jump directly to the starter?

Andrew

old · Jun 4, 2012

Sounds like the solenoid is sticking and if the starter does not turn then it sticks and does not make contact like it should. I would pull the starter and solenoid and have them checked at an auto parts store and make sure both are good.

Bob M · Jun 4, 2012

To isolate the problem grab your jumper cables. Connect one from the grounded battery post to a starter mounting bolt. Then use the other cable to perform these tests IN ORDER:

1 - Jumper directly from the ungrounded battery post to the starter. If the engine cranks, the starter is OK.

2 - Jumper from the battery to the STARTER side of the solenoid. If it cranks the cable between solenoid and starter is OK.

3 - Jumper from the battery to the BATTERY side of the solenoid, then try cranking using the key switch. If it cranks the solenoid is OK.

If it passes all 3 of the above problem has gotta be one of the battery cables. (Keep in mind that even if a battery cable looks good on the outside, the conductors can be corroded away beneath the insulation!)

Royalwapiti · Jun 5, 2012

Thanks for the help.

I'm not sure what you mean by some of these. My solenoid is attached to the starter. So I don't know how to do #1. Is what you are referring to as "ungrounded battery post" the positive? And then where on the starter, since the solenoid is there I don't see where to hook anything.

Number 2 and 3 above didn't kick the starter.

I am taking the starter off. It is a bit@h getting out from around the power steering lines and TA levers. And then the steering link for the left side doesn't want to come off the steering box. That would allow the starter to slide right out. I PB blasted it today we'll check tomorrow.

I replaced the starter about 7 years ago and remember it being a bear. Funny thing is I probably only have about 20 hours on the tractor since then. But it sits out in the weather year round. I only use it a few hours a year. Spend more time fixing it then I do using it. Time to sell.

Royalwapiti · Jun 5, 2012

Nope, it doesn't kick over the starter anytime. I pan to remove and test the starter, the solenoid is attached so they will check that too.

Also I may replace the positive cable since I changed the ground cable. The positive is longer and thicker = $$$$.

Thanks guys.

SadFarmall · Jun 6, 2012

Well, it sounds like the system is grounding elsewhere. The starter should not cause any movement in the ammeter at all. Therefore I suspect you have two issues.
1). The starter itself probably wants some attention.
2). There is a defect in the wiring somewhere, causing poor contact and possibly a short circuit to ground somewhere.
SadFarmall

Royalwapiti · Jun 15, 2012

Hi Again,

I took the starter in for testing and he rebuilt it. The inside of the case so rusted he couldn"t get the brushes out.

Started right up. He told me to park it in a shed....lol it has been in the weather for the 9 years I owned.

Thanks for the input.

Electrical - won't start - bad ground?

Royalwapiti

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Andrew Z

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old

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Bob M

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Royalwapiti

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Royalwapiti

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SadFarmall

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Royalwapiti

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