Farmall m won't start

dweber85rc · Oct 12, 2016

Went to start my M the other day to pull out my lawnmower that got stuck in a wet spot in the yard and it would not turn over to start. The starter would not even try to spin, or make any sound. I could hear the foot switch depress on the button but that is it. I had used it a couple of hours earlier that day without issue. Not really sure what the problem is. Are there any common things to look at when this happens? Was going to pull the starter and test it but is there anything else I should check?

Brownie450 · Oct 12, 2016

Check your batt. terminals first.
The 450 wouldn't start last week after being
used on the auger all fall.
Turned out to be corrosion on the terminals.
Cleaned them up & we're back to perfect
operation again.
Jim

Charlie M · Oct 12, 2016

Could be your starter is locked up against the ring gear. Pull it out, turn the motor enough so it doesn't go back in the same spot and try it again. Could be your push button switch has gone bad also.

old · Oct 12, 2016

Most of the time when that happens it is a poor connection at the battery cables or ground. Then form there it is the switch it self and then the starter unless the battery if weak

Russ from MN · Oct 12, 2016

The starter on our M used to stick once in awhile, we would put it high gear and rock it back and forth with the tires. Otherwise get another battery or a vehicle and some jumper cables and troubleshoot, you can bypass each component until you find the problem.

rustyfarmall · Oct 12, 2016

(quoted from post at 10:29:24 10/12/16) Could be your starter is locked up against the ring gear. Pull it out, turn the motor enough so it doesn't go back in the same spot and try it again. Could be your push button switch has gone bad also.

BINGO!!

AJB-830 · Oct 12, 2016

Does your M have working lights? First thing I usually do when this happens is turn on the lights. If no lights, most likely a bad battery connection. If lights work, hit the starter button. If lights dim, most likely a locked starter. If lights stay on, then probably a bad connection between starter switch and starter. This helps to quickly determine where the problem might be. Al

Dave O'Brien · Oct 13, 2016

These newer starter switches like to not work every time. I think the contacts tarnish up, 3rd or 4 th try, it works. At least in my case.

Goose · Oct 13, 2016

How's your battery?

mattofvinings · Oct 13, 2016

Fastest check that I know is to do a voltmeter check on the 12v battery + to (-). Should be higher than 12v to be in good condition.

dweber85rc · Oct 13, 2016

Took a look tonight and I think I just have some very bad connections. I pulled the starter and hooked it up to my battery charger and it worked just fine. Then I just started working my way back to the battery with the cables cleaning them. Some were pretty corroded, I may have to reterminate a couple of spots, it was kind of dark so I couldn't tell if I got it clean enough. Have to get everything put back together tomorrow and try again. I put the battery on the trickle charger for over night. The battery is 3-4 years old so itay be on its way out too. Will know more tomorrow. Thanks for the tips

Farmall m won't start

dweber85rc

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Brownie450

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Charlie M

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old

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Russ from MN

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rustyfarmall

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AJB-830

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Dave O'Brien

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Goose

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mattofvinings

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dweber85rc

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