Starting Problem (tractor)

[tugboatphil]

I have a 33hp Massey Ferguson, 3 cyl diesel. Several weeks ago, the starter switch would not shut the engine off. Normal starting is like this; turn key left and fuel pump and preheater come on. Let off, turn all the way right and the starter solenoid kicks it. Let off and it runs.



So after using 4th range and 4th gear with my brake as a shut off, now it didn't start. We'd had some cool nights, but not enough to think that the battery was drawn down.



So with the switch on, I jumped across the starter. I heard the solenoid gear spin, but it didn't kick out. I did this about 4 times with no sucess. I switched batteries, with one fresh off the charger. I tried the key switch one time. I got the starter to engage the flywheel, and then the whole electrical system was dead.



Did I fry my starter? I'm barely tolerable with a multi meter, but how can I find what's wrong here? The key switch was my original thought, but now I don't have a clue. There are about 9 or 10 wires coming off the back of the switch. It was too dark to trace them, and I have a road trip this morning. Is there possibly an inline fuse?



Anyway, thanks for any help. I won't be able to read any responses until Wednesday morning.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Just a guess, since the shutdown switch didn't work, maybe fuel leaked into the cylinders and it is hydrostatically locked up. I would try to turn the engine by hand with something and see if it will turn through one cycle without stopping, if so, then that is not the problem. I have run seen this happen on a stationary engine where the tank was mounted higher than the engine. bg

 

[QRTRHRS]

Make sure your fuel selenoid is working correctly. My Massey never kept running after turning off the key but when I start mine, I have to pause after preheating to allow it to fully open or it won't start. I don't know if these would continue to run if the starter stuck like our Rams or not. I use mine hard including many many starts. The electrical system has never failed even with indiscriminate power washing.

 

[tugboatphil]

Thanks for the replies. I can't check any electrical items, as I have no electrical system right now. I'm guessing that it is either in the switch, or between it and the battery. Just got home. Will look at it in daylight tomorrow.



Thanks again.

 

[DKasper]

Sometimes when an electircal system activates when the key is turned but then dies when a load is put on it, a bad ground may be the culprit. You might want to check your grounds and make sure they are making good contact.

This is a tough one!

Good luck -- I know I hate it when anything electrical dies on my JD 3010 -- 24 volt start, 12 volt run ... yuck!



Dave

 

[tugboatphil]

Thanks, Dave.



I tried tracing the wires yesterday (in the rain, of course) and didn't find any inline fuse or fusable link. Since the problem started with the switch, I'm going to try replacing it. I hope my "discount" friend is still at the parts store.



Oh, Dave. I saw an old NFL film the other day. I see you used to spell your name with a "C" when you played for the Raiders. Why did you change it?

 

[jrjuday]

Hey Tugboat, what ya doin' on this forum? Try www.ytmag.com. They have a Massey discussion forum. If that doesn't get you going try my "other" favorite site, www.allischalmers.com. There are lots of knowledgable tractor nuts on their discussion board and they're happy to help out even if it's a question about an "off-color" tractor, kinda like the great people on the 1st gen. forum. Hope this helps, John.

 

[daveshoe]

When you said the solenoid ''did not kick out'' --that got me to thinkin'. I had a similar experience with a starter on a small tractor. The Bendix on the solenoid is a mechanical device that makes the starter kick in, On tractors that are subjected to dirty conditions and sit around for days or weeks between uses in a dusty old barn, the grease that is so critical to their operation just gets all gummy. I had a starter jam up on me just like yours with a no -start condition and it was cured by putting the starter on the shop bench and cleaning the thing up. You will see if anything like starter contacts need replacing at the same time. a farmer/mechanic freind of mine says that many starters are replaced each year that are just dirty.

Give this a try as it dosen't cost a dime.