mf t0-35 not starting

Blanx

Member
Let me start by saying I'm a mechanic and I have very little experience working on cars or engines. I'm not afraid to try.

This is a 1948 t0-35 that is on a 12v system.

The other day I was running a 1948 t0-35 and shut it down just like normal. I went to crank it back up and nothing. It acted like there was no power or it as if it were in gear. So I tried to trouble shoot it a little bit. I replaced the neutral safety switch. It still does the same thing.

So here what I have so far. I've ensured its in neutral. The battery is fully charged. I turn the key. push the start button and I have verified power goes to the neutral safety switch and then comes out the other side when I push the start button. that wire goes to the solenoid switch and I have verified power to the terminal there. The coil has power going to the + side as well.

I checked as many of the grounds as I could and they all seem to be in good shape.

I'm now stumped as to what could be causing this issue or how to trouble shoot it from here.

I guess it could be the starter but there is no noise what so ever when I try to start the tractor. any help would be great.
 
I'm guessing you meant to say your not a mechanic right??
Well either way trouble shoot then parts never the other way around. Here is a simple test you can do to check the solenoid/starter. Be 1000% sure it is out of gear and block the tires just in case. Then use a jumper wire form the to big posts of the solenoid. Be sure you use a heavy wire about the same size as a battery cable. When you do that if the starter is good it will spin over and if that happened that means the solenoid is bad. Shoot if you have the ignition on it may even start. What doing that does is by passes the solenoid. If that does spin it oven you either have a bad solenoid as I said or a bad connection. Now if all you get are a lot of spark which you will get some and the starter does not spin then the start it self is bad
 
Better check the serial number. The Ferguson TO 35 didn't come on the scene until late 1954. A 1948 Ferguson would be a Te 20 or To 20. The 35 has a 3 x 2 transmission (6 forward speeds) with 2 shift levers. The 20 has 4 forward speeds with 1 shift lever.
 
yes that's what I meant lol.

which post are you speaking of. I have a picture.

or do you mean by pass and go right to the starter?
 
here is the pic
a164509.jpg
 
Try a jumper wire from the battery side terminal on the solenoid to where the small wire is (indicated by the red arrow). If you jump the two big terminals use some very heavy wire, and some thick gloves. Very easy to get a electrical burn should the starter be stuck (seen that happen before, not very pretty to see).
 
so I did the jump and it started right up. I changed the solenoid and it fires right up as long as it grounded to the tractor. when your an idiot like me and lose the bolts that ground it makes the harder.

anyone know what size those are?

other wise the tractor runs great again thanks
 
Depending on if the solenoid is mounted to the starter or if it is mounts some place else. If mounted to If it is not mounter to the starter just buy a few common size blots like 1/4 inch , 5/16 and 3/8 and a few nuts and see which fit.
 

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