Starter Button

dactura

Member
My starter button is tempermental. When I press it, it will behave like it's not gotten a good contact. Sometimes it works and sometimes it won't. If I keep messing with it... depressing it, twisting it as I do, it will eventually start. It seems to work better when it is warm than when cold. I bought a new starter button but don't want to replace the old one until it gets worse of a problem. I've had the new starter button for a couple of years. One day it simply would not start. I thought, "Ok, it's replacement time!" - but when I went out again, it started right up.

I don't think it's a voltage problem. It's usually around 11.9 volts.

Any ideas on what this problem could be? I have not read any posts complaining about the starter button.
 
Hi Dactura, you don't say what tractor you have. What ever it is, I agree with you that the electrical connection is intermittent. If it's a 9 or 2N, it could be the switch, not the button. The button drives an adjustable link into the switch. On the 8N the button is the switch of course and supplies ground to the solenoid. If it's an 8N have you tried bypassing the button with a jumper wire? Key off of course.
 
You have a defective meter or a dead battery.

At 12.06 volts, your battery is only 25% charged.

At 11.89 volts, it's dead.

If it's not the battery, it's most likely a connection as Jim suggested.
75 Tips
 
(quoted from post at 11:25:11 04/28/18) You have a defective meter or a dead battery.

At 12.06 volts, your battery is only 25% charged.

At 11.89 volts, it's dead.

If it's not the battery, it's most likely a connection as Jim suggested.
75 Tips

Well, it's probably a crappy volt meter... which I will check with my good meter later. It's a digital voltmeter I bought when there was the great discussion on amp meter vs voltmeter .

Usually it won't start when I get down to 11.14. As you may remember, you guys sorted me out on getting the correct pulley for my fan belt after I purchased a new alternator, so I've been able to run without putting it on the charger for 6 months or so.
 
Oh, sorry. It's a 1947 8N. I have read about grounding the wire that goes to the button to start it a while back, but never tried it. I will do that next time it gives me problems. Good idea!
 
Had a 9N with similar problem. Remove the starter switch and JB weld a penny to the end. It fixed mine. It seems the shaft that goes from the starter button to the starter switch wears after years of usage.
 
(quoted from post at 06:30:19 04/29/18) Had a 9N with similar problem. Remove the starter switch and JB weld a penny to the end. It fixed mine. It seems the shaft that goes from the starter button to the starter switch wears after years of usage.

Thanks for that! It makes sense. I don't know how many parts on that tractor are original - but it often amazes me how well it runs and how reliable it is. I like your innovative solution, but wonder what happens if the penny comes loose. I suppose it will work it's way to the bottom of the case and you will not be able to start it anyway because the penny is no longer doing its job. Good to know that pennies still have value!
 
(quoted from post at 08:19:24 04/29/18)
(quoted from post at 06:30:19 04/29/18) Had a 9N with similar problem. Remove the starter switch and JB weld a penny to the end. It fixed mine. It seems the shaft that goes from the starter button to the starter switch wears after years of usage.

Thanks for that! It makes sense. I don't know how many parts on that tractor are original - but it often amazes me how well it runs and how reliable it is. I like your innovative solution, but wonder what happens if the penny comes loose. I suppose it will work it's way to the bottom of the case and you will not be able to start it anyway because the penny is no longer doing its job. Good to know that pennies still have value!
Just remember that is a fix for a9n with mechanical switch, not your 8n with a solenoid.
 

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