Let's talk about starter switch

grandpa Love · Jun 23, 2018

I have a 640 and a 960. Neither
one has a working starter button.
They are on the tractors,but wires
are not hooked up. Can I test them
to see if they are good? Or just
order new ones? Also will I need
a new key switch? How about
solenoid? Where does the wire
from starter button run? Thanks
for input!

sunbeam · Jun 23, 2018

Put a test light to the wire from the starter switch and the other end to the hot side of the battery when you push the switch it should light up. As far as the solenoid you need an external ground unit one when it is hooked up the small terminal is hot. Most Ford car units work the other way.

grandpa Love · Jun 23, 2018

Solenoids came from Napa. I assume they are from a car. So I should order new ones from this site? Then they wire up the same?

sunbeam · Jun 23, 2018

If you have the solenoid hooked up check for voltage at the small terminal there should be voltage. Car units before 1951 should work. If there are 2 small terminals it's most likely the wrong one.

Destroked 450 · Jun 23, 2018

Connect a ohm meter to the starter button wire terminal and to a good ground.
With the trans in neutral push down on the button and see if you have continuity, if you do the buttons good, if not there's a problem with the button.
These tractors need a 4 post ungrounded solenoid, battery cable to one big post, starter cable to the other big post, wire from the key switch to one of the small post, wire from the starter button to the other small post.
The starter button grounds the solenoid to activate it.

showcrop · Jun 23, 2018

Grandpa, how are you doing with the steering?

grandpa Love · Jun 23, 2018

Worked all week ,cut grass today
until it rained ,bushhogged with
640 this afternoon,after the
rain......... maybe next week!
Always something ain't it?!

Royse · Jun 23, 2018

Destroked, I believe you are thinking of the x01 and prior x000 solenoids.
The NAA/x00 solenoids were only 3 wire units, but as you said,
non-grounded case, activating coil between the battery cable and
the small post that the push button connected to ground.
The engines will roll over with the key off, but not start.
The x01s and prior x000 will not roll over without the key on.
Either solenoid could be wired in to work of course.

Destroked 450 · Jun 23, 2018

Your right, I had forgotten about the old 3 wire units, it's been a long time since my brother sold dads old 850, and we had switched it over to 12 volt with a 4 post solenoid in the early 70's before dad passed.

grandpa Love · Jun 23, 2018

May make a difference that both tractors are 12 volt. ?

Royse · Jun 23, 2018

"May make a difference that both tractors are 12 volt. ?"

Not as far as the solenoid cares, only how they are wired.
Either solenoid will work, it just has to be wired correctly.

Dollar Bill · Jun 25, 2018

Perhaps these NAPA part numbers will help:

1953-1957 Starter Relay: ECH ST 53
1958-1964 Starter Relay: ECH ST 541

Let's talk about starter switch

grandpa Love

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sunbeam

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grandpa Love

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sunbeam

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Destroked 450

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showcrop

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grandpa Love

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Royse

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Destroked 450

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grandpa Love

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Royse

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Dollar Bill

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