Ford 4600 Starting Problem

Mnethercutt · Jul 30, 2019

Hello,

I work for my schools forestry dept. and we're having issues getting one of our tractors to start. It's a Ford 4600 diesel. Tractor was having issues with the battery charging so we replaced the solenoid, then the alternator. Battery is now charging but now we have an intermittent starting problem. I turn the key to the 'run' position and the dash lights and all cut on, but when I try to start it does nothing. I've tried going around and tapping on different things but have not been able to identify any specific thing that might be causing the problem. Tapping on the solenoid doesn't seem to fix it. I've also tried messing with the 'master key' (not sure what it's called, but its the key hidden under the hood beside the battery), and on one day that made it crank right up, but then another day it didn't have any effect. Most of the time I just go around tapping stuff until it decides to start. It will crank if we jump the solenoid points. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can check?

Thanks in advance!

old · Jul 30, 2019

What you call a master switch sounds like an anti theft device and sounds like it is going bad or you have a poor battery cable connection some place. Be it ground or at the battery

Steve@Advance · Jul 30, 2019

A simple test light will be a world of help when looking for electrical problems.

Do some basic trouble shooting, Have an assistant hold the start switch while you check for voltage, starting at the battery. Systematically work your way toward the starter.

That you have dash lights, and if they stay on when trying to start, leads to the direction of a starter switch problem, neutral safety switch, loose connection between the starter switch and the solenoid. If that has the solenoid mounted on the starter, it can be voltage drop between the switch and the solenoid, a weak solenoid, or a tired and dirty starter.

Just be careful, be absolutely sure the tractor is in neutral, keep your hands away from any moving parts, and assume that it could crank at any time during the test!

db4600 · Jul 30, 2019

Pa bought a 4600D in ?78 and after a couple years the neutral safety switch gave us some fits. As Advance said make sure it?s in neutral. If I recall the safety switch has a plug connector just behind the lower dash panel on on the left side.

OH Boy · Jul 30, 2019

High/Low Range shifter must be in neutral

Mnethercutt · Jul 31, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:31:09 07/30/19) High/Low Range shifter must be in neutral

It's always in neutral for both switches. Is there a way that I can bypass that neutral switch to test if its the problem? I assume its not as simple as just unplugging it.

Thanks

RBoots · Jul 31, 2019

On our 4600, you have to wiggle the HI LO
shifter in the neutral position to get
the neutral safety switch to make contact
enough that it will start. Been like that
a long time, probably should just replace
the switch or adjust it sometime. Worth a
try wiggling the shifter though, just
make the sure the other shifter is in
neutral before wiggling the HI LO shifter
while turning the key.

Ford 4600 Starting Problem

Mnethercutt

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old

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Steve@Advance

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db4600

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OH Boy

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Mnethercutt

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RBoots

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