MF 135 solenoid

mstanfield · Sep 12, 2015

New to me MF 135 with Perkins diesel. Starter difficult to engage; need to continually bump the switch...toggle on-off until it finally
catches. Replace some old wiring that had bad insulation. Took starter to NAPA where it tested fine, including the solenoid. Starter switch
tests ok for continuity. It sure sounds like a bad solenoid....what else should I be looking for?

maxwell99 · Sep 12, 2015

Just replace the solenoid, they take the hit each time you engage the starter. The contact points burn off a small amount each time, finally they get where they no longer make contact.

May not be your problem, but it's much cheaper to replace a solenoid than other diesel electrical starter parts.

Let us know what you find wrong,

Sometimes it can be a ignition switch losing contact or a bad battery.

I have had a bad battery cable end go bad, the cable end looks good. But you take it loose, turn and twist the cable end and white corrosion powder starts falling out, the cable is bad up inside the cable.

A Diesel requires the complete starting system, all components, to be in top notch condition.

Jack in NB · Sep 13, 2015

Have you tried the poor man's key - an old screwdriver or 4" spike - directly at the solenoid terminals?

Carefully jumping the large screw terminal (with the heavy wire from the battery) to the small terminal with the wire from the switch should give you a solid engagement. This bypasses the switch and related wiring.

If that does it, the switch and/or wiring is suspect.

If not, then the battery terminals or cables could be the problem.

Bob N.Y. · Sep 13, 2015

Try loosening the large stud in the end of the solenoid, rotate the stud 180 degrees and retighten. The local starter, generator, alternator man did that with my 65 diesel starter. It works great now.

MikeNL · Sep 14, 2015

I assume you've checked the start safety switch on top of the gearbox.
Mine was dirty and made a poor connection. I carefully took it apart and cleaned it internally, never had any problems since.
Its easy to check by (temporarily) bypassing it.
New ones are also available quite cheap.

BigMarv1085 · Sep 18, 2015

same problem with my 135. I have replaced selonoid 4 times in the last year. I finally got a heavier duty one from O Riellys that works

mstanfield · Sep 20, 2015

Thanks for your help guys!

It was the solenoid...all back together. My confusion was that I was told it tested ok...

Oh well...back and running. Seems like a straight little tractor!

I'm sure I'll have more questions.....

MF 135 solenoid

mstanfield

New User

maxwell99

Well-known Member

Jack in NB

Member

Bob N.Y.

Well-known Member

MikeNL

Member

BigMarv1085

Member

mstanfield

New User

Similar threads