(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Starter failure in Ford 641?

M

Millweld

Member
I pressed the starter switch and heard only the solenoid click but no cranking. After only a few seconds the battery cable was very warm. I disconnected the + cable from the starter and attempted to jump the starter with a good battery with the negative connected to the block and the positive to the starter but got only sparks. (I switched over to 12VDC with negative ground about a decade ago and continued to use the original starter.) Does this sound like a starter failure? What should I expect during a removal and replacement? Any advice will be helpful - especially a Utube description. Thanks.
 
First thing I would check is for starter gear locked with ring gear(put in high gear then rock tractor back and forth to unlock). Starters usually drag and turn slow for a while before going completely belly up.
 
A detail I omitted in the original post may be significant. When I converted from 6 to 12 VDC a decade ago my tractor would start in about 0.1 seconds. Just a quick push of the button did the trick. But yesterday, it cranked but didn't start in that 0.1 sec so I immediately pressed it again and it would not crank. Sounds like a gear jam as you said. Thanks.
 
I had a 641 that was converted to 12 and when I started it you could hear the starter speed winding down after the engine fired. I think you might want to just get you a 12 volt starter as the 12v spins that 6v starter to a fast high RPM. You certainly dont want any ring gear problems before their time.
 
A starter generator alternator shop told me when converting from 6 to 12 volts if the tractor is a worker it is easier on the ring gear to remove a field in the starter. This removal slows the starter so the engagement into the ring gear doesn't wear as fast. If the tractor doesn't get used that much, probably won't matter.
 
You have to rock it hard enough to turn the engine over,you will see the fan blade moving. Make sure the ignition is off,,,,AND,,,,pull the coil wire while you are rocking it.
 
I removed the starter and immediately I noticed it was slightly bound and had to pry lightly with a screwdriver. I noticed 3 cogs on the ring gear had their corners rounded rather coarsely (don't know how to load pics). Starter turned easily so I reinstalled it and all is a well as can be expected. My bad was attempting to restart instantaneously after the first pressing of the starter button. It just didn't have time to reset.
I'll work on pics so I can get opinions as to how bad it is.
 
At this point if starter gear look's good I'd just use the tractor as usual and hope for the best. If gear on starter is less than perfect it would be wise to replace it to minimize chances of damaging ring gear farther. It may very well work fine another 10 years. Not much else can be done without splitting the tractor so why not wait until there's no choice.
 
The starter shaft and gear appear to be AOK. No marks or uneven wear. It must be harder steel than the ring gear which is opposite of what I would expect - I had rather have to replace a starter than the ring gear!
 

Ring gears normally get worn in one or two spots because engines stop at the same one or two places with very high frequency. Starters can stop anywhere in their rotation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Btzj02
Source of a 3 Post (correct) starter solenoid.
Replies
7
Views
195
Btzj02
Btzj02
B
Ford 3000 starter wiring
Replies
7
Views
396
JMOR
J
K
Ford 3000 - Electrical Problems or Stuck Engine?
2 3
Replies
44
Views
1K
sotxbill
S
L
Ford 2N - new starter, new starter solenoid
Replies
2
Views
267
Tim PloughNman Daley RIP
T
R
Ford 640 starter motor constantly running
Replies
2
Views
239
raxxter
R
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top