Starting 706 gas with hammer

706man

Member
Hi everyone! I am looking for some electrical troubleshooting, please. I am trying to find out where my weak link is between my battery and the starter. When I go to start my 706(gas), i push the rubber button and if I get nothing I hit the dash(by the rubber switch) with a hammer. It usually clicks then or it starts.
The rubber push starter switch is new. I took off every connection between the switch and the starter and cleaned them including the battery cables. I was suspecting that the battery was bad or low. When I got a good connection(after the hammer) it turned the tractor over no problem. I just don't know which component could be the culprit. I only have one electrical tester and am smart enough just to see if there is current. The tester is a GB instruments (GMT-12A). I know I need a couple different testers, but thought my problem might make someone say, "Well, this is your problem....." You know, before I start throwing money at it.
Thanks for any and all help!

Mike
 
Sounds like you have sorted out the connections between the starter switch and the starter.

Now, go over the connections from the starter switch back to the battery, and then go over all the ground connections.
 

Thanks for the reply Dave. When I mentioned that I cleaned the battery cables, I also cleaned and checked everything from the battery back. Sorry I should have been more clear. I had everything disconnected from the the starter motor, starter switch and battery and cleaned or replaced about 97% of it. If the problem is a bad wire connection then I need to look at the 3% that I didn't do.
But if it's a bad component(i.e. regulator, battery, etc) I don't know if I would know they are bad.
I will go thru all the wires completely and eliminate that possibility.

Mike
 
The only tester ya need to work on a 706 is a volt meter and a test light . You get power from the key switch over to the starter button and that goes thru the Orange wire down to the clutch safty switch located under the deck plate on the left side (if it is still hooked up ) then it goes to the S terminal on the solenoid .
 
Do you have any idea of what condition the starter brushes are in? If they are worn way down this
can cause an intermittent start, which you could be blaming on the push button switch.
 
A voltmeter is the ONLY way to efficiently diagnose an electrical problem unless you are able to visually see electrons. Cleaning connections doesn't mean they are good.
 
I am not sure what shape the brushes are in. I suppose a mechanic would have to tell me that, huh? I have never had any issues with the tractor starting until now. That's a good question though. The solenoid is mounted on top of the starter, right? I do know the clutch safety switch has been unhooked since I had the tractor.
I can't get past the fact that where I am hitting the left dash with the hammer should tell me that something in that area is probably the connection issue.
I am going to buy a voltmeter. Can you guys tell me what the volt readings should be off the battery when it is running and off and all that?
Thanks. I will try to diagnose some more. Ugh...


Mike
 
A fully charged good condition 12v Car or tractor starting battery will read 12.5 to 12.65 volts when the vehicle is not running. When running it should read 14.2 to
14.7 volts. Those two numbers should be measured with a quality digital, or analog (has a needle that moves)volt ohm meter. These atr taken at the battery terminal.
The wiring to the Key and to the lights should also be 12.6 when not running. The voltage at the coil when turned on not running should be about 6 to 8 volts if the
points are closed, and 12+ volts if the points are open. Jim
 
I'm not sure what kind of access you have to the back of the starter on a 706. But if you can loosen the
two bolts that hold the plate on the back and slide them out an inch or so you can determine the
condition of the brushes yourself. Each brush is held in place by one screw. If any of the brushes
are wore down to the point that they are less than an 1/8" away from the armature they need
replaced. In particular if the ones mounted to the black plastic pieces are worn badly part of the
plastic holder hits the armature first so the brush cannot contact properly at this point. If they need replacing the starter will have the come off. If they are good make sure the washer stays in place at the armature bushing. Maybe place a pencil eraser sized dab of grease in the bushing hole before closing it up. There is no
rocket science in a 12v Delco starter on an old Farmall. Good luck!
 
You might also test the resistance the next time you get a dead switch syndrome before hitting it with a hammer. Test the start circuit in particular. You could possible have an internal break somewhere where the wire internally might be corroded causing some issues. Might even be a cold joint at the connector.
 
So, now that I have a digital voltmeter, testing the battery I got a 10.81 reading. Would that make this a bad battery issue? Just thought I would ask the dumb question before I move to something else.
I have charged the battery a couple times in the last two months but it obviously isn't holding a charge completely.

Thanks for the new responses. I am trying everything.

Mike
 
(quoted from post at 16:27:23 08/07/17) So, now that I have a digital voltmeter, testing the battery I got a 10.81 reading. Would that make this a bad battery issue? Just thought I would ask the dumb question before I move to something else.
I have charged the battery a couple times in the last two months but it obviously isn't holding a charge completely.

Thanks for the new responses. I am trying everything.

Mike

That would be a dead battery.
 
That would be a dead battery.[/quote]

Boy, you got that right. Took the battery off the M and tried it on the 706 and whoa, what a world of difference. I think I will leave it on there this week and try starting each day but hopefully this has solved my problems. Note to self: digital voltmeter, digital voltmeter, digital voltmeter.
With my luck, something else will be wrong too. Hopefully out of the woods, though.
Thanks

Mike
 
PLEASE REPLACE AND PROPERLY ADJUST THE CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH WHEN YOU GET IT BACK TOGETHER AND OPERATING PROPERLY. An 84 year old
neighbor who just retired 2 years previously got ran over by his IH utility by standing beside it messing with the clutch switch.
I have heard of more issuses with JD owners doing the same thing and starting the tractor in gear.
YES, I AM SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOP!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT ONLY TAKES ONCE.
 

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