Frozen Starter (literal)

steve terplak · Dec 23, 2017

Hey guys,
I have a 165 gas, recently rebuilt top to bottom (starter included)
Went out to move my firewood wagon last weekend (temps in the teens), turned key, heard a loud click, ammeter showed drawing lots of power but no sound of the starter dragging or even attempting to turn. Just the loud click at the solenoid. Even with charger hooked up (batter was good, just wanted to be sure) still just a click and nothing.
Next day it was in the 40's, started right up.
Went out yesterday to plow some snow, temps in the teens, same thing happened. Click and nothing. Went inside, took my wife's hair dryer to it for a few minutes (just heating starter and solenoid area) and it started right up.
So

Anyone ever deal with this?
Is it moisture in the starter freezing?
Is it more likely electrical and I should just tighten my connections?
Is it something in the solenoid?

Not sure where to start.

gab · Dec 23, 2017

I used to have a truck starter that had a bad armature, didn't want to put a lot of money in it so got an Auto Zone starter. Any temperature below about 30 all it did was click, second starter worked fine.

marloweg · Dec 23, 2017

your starter is not sealed real well and if it sits outside rain can get in not very common but it dose happen.you should pull starter of and take it apart and dry it out with that amount of moisture it will rust

steve terplak · Dec 23, 2017

Pull it off, dry it out...would it help or hurt to spray down with WD40?
Where do you supposedthe moisture is getting in? In the casing somehow, where solenoid meets starter or in the connection between the actual starter cylinder and the tractor itself?

Am I better off just replacing?

Ronnie Budd · Dec 23, 2017

Spraying WD40 into it could help and won't hurt. That's what WD40 was originally developed for--to dry out electrical connections. I've dried out many an old points distributor with it to get going again. We used to tie a piece of heavy plastic over our tractor starters and distributors that sat outside to prevent the problems you are describing.

ed will · Dec 23, 2017

Hi, I had that exact thing happen on my Case 530 CK
I was miles from home on a construction site. I found a gallon paint can on sight , put a few cups of diesel in it, then soaked a rag with fuel , put it in can with end hanging over the side like a wick. I lit it and put the can under the starter area, I let it burn until starter felt warm. Probably 15 minutes--fuel gone. Tractor started right up. Ed Will Oliver BC

big jt · Dec 23, 2017

My guess is you have a bit of moisture getting into the bendix on the starter drive. Allows the solinoid to move but the drive isn't engaging which won't let the solinoid move far enough to make the electrical connection and spin the motor.

Most definatly a touch of moisture causing your troubles. Drying out the starter should fix it. Also look for places that water is getting in and make sure the hole in the bottom of the clutch housing is clear and letting water out.

jt

Frozen Starter (literal)

steve terplak

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gab

Well-known Member

marloweg

Well-known Member

steve terplak

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Ronnie Budd

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ed will

Well-known Member

big jt

Well-known Member

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