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Fordson Tractors Discussion Forum

Major solenoid acting strange

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David Lewis

06-15-2005 17:27:52




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Have new starter cables throughout starter system on a 54 Major. Starter is good, battery is good and have current to the solenoid (new). But the solenoid doesn't do its thing and connect battery to starter - what could be happening here? Probably Operator error - it usually is.




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mark white uk.

06-18-2005 05:02:55




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to David Lewis, 06-15-2005 17:27:52  
Hi David,
I had a similar problem with my Super last week.

Three main problems:

1>The ignition switch next to the hi / lo gear lever was not making contact.

2>On investigation one of the wires to the switch (mounted on top the starter motor)which is operated by the starting lever had a bad connection.

With these two sorted the solinoid just clicked, I then checked the switch as mentioned in 2 and that wasn"t making contact either.
Fitted my spare switch put all the wires back on and she burst in to life.

Hope this may help.

Cheers Mark uk

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Art Wallin

06-15-2005 18:26:13




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to David Lewis, 06-15-2005 17:27:52  
David
Does your solenoid have two small terminals or one? Is the solenoid similar to that of a passenger car(Ford)used in the fifties? If you purchased the solenoid by matching it up to the old one you may have a solenoid designed for use with an ignition by-pass system and the letters I by one terminal and S by the other. (I) meaning ignition and (S) meaning switch. Armed with the answers to the above questions I may be able to help you out.
Art in Texas

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David Lewis

06-16-2005 03:44:33




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to Art Wallin, 06-15-2005 18:26:13  
Yes, it has an I and an S post. I have a wire running from the battery to a button on the dash to the S post. I do not have the I post connected..... .....what do you think?



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Art Wallin

06-17-2005 04:23:26




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to David Lewis, 06-16-2005 03:44:33  
David The type of solenoid you have has an internal ground Meaning the operator of the tractor either with a button or a key switch provides current to the solenoid. The current then passes through the solenoid to ground. If you do not have a good ground it will not work. If you can access the solenoid with one hand and push your button with the other you can feel the switch engageing and should hear a faint clicking. If not , your wiring is not correct. Be sure you have the wire from battery to the starter button hooked to the correct terminal(not the ground) If you have a volt meter or a test light attach it to the (S) terminal and push the starter button. If you get a light or a voltage reading equal to the rated voltage of the battery but no click from the solenoid then attach a jumper wire from a good known ground to the mounting bracket. If you now get a click then you need to provide a better ground for the solenoid. If in the first check above you get a click or can feel the switch operating, put the voltmeter or the test light on the large terminal of the solenoid where the cable goes to the starter motor and operate the starter button. If the light lites or you have a voltage reading equal to the battery rated voltage then you either have a bad starter or the ground from the the battery to the engine. I prefer to attach the ground cable under one of the starter mounting bolts. The way you have it wired should work but it will start in gear, so be cautious! If you try these tests and it still does not work, post another message on Cyber-Fix and we can go from there. Hope this helps.
Art in Texas

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Jason, NW Ontario

06-28-2005 07:35:28




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to Art Wallin, 06-17-2005 04:23:26  
My single post solenoid ended up being mounted in reverse! When I removed it to test it, the lettering facing the ground read "BATT". So I flipped it around and mounted it upside down and reversed the wires to the starter and battery. It fired to life. My wiring is still suspect though, because later I failed to start it again, so had to bridge the connection on the solenoid myself with an old screwdriver.

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David Lewis

06-17-2005 17:00:18




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to Art Wallin, 06-17-2005 04:23:26  
Art, this is terrific - I will run these tests tomorrow. I am sure I can figure it out from here with your help. Where are you? I'm in Cincinnati, OH. Best, David



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Art Wallin

06-18-2005 04:44:33




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to David Lewis, 06-17-2005 17:00:18  
David Am located in a small town about 40 miles north and west of San Antonio, Texas. The area is called the Texas Hill Country and the Name of the town is Bandera(Spanish for Flag). Moved here from Tacoma, Washington about nine years ago to dry out(nine months of rain every year was too much). When you are retired, you have time to do things that may help someone for we all feel the urge to be needed. Worked as a mechanic in a unit repair shop in Tacoma for 15 years begining in 1954 so this site which deals with "old stuff" fits my Bio. Thanks for the Query.
Art in Texas

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Jason, NW Ontario

06-26-2005 02:53:24




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 Re: Major solenoid acting strange in reply to Art Wallin, 06-18-2005 04:44:33  
Art
I, too, am having trouble firing up my '54 in the starter/solenoid area. Your detailed trouble shooting will probably help me out also. Many thanks.



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