How can I tell if plunger starter switch is bad ?

Can anyone please tell me of an easy way to test
the starter switch on my 8N ? The tractor starts
right up when I short the solenoid with a wire!
Thanks!

(quoted from post at 16:44:57 01/28/13)

Can anyone please tell me of an easy way to test
the starter switch on my 8N ? The tractor starts
right up when I short the solenoid with a wire!
Thanks!

Click to expand...

The wire from the switch should have continuity to ground with the button pushed. Solenoids go bad more often than the switch. You could ground a wire and touch it to the pin that the wire from the button connects to. That would tell if it's the switch or solenoid.

I would argue that it is switch that goes bad before the solenoid--if you have the old solenoid or the "made exactly like the original" type. I had a new black plastic solenoid and the copper stud threads stripped. I pulled an old one I had lying about and it worked fine.

To test the starter plunge switch, first, put the tractor in neutral--[u:2e12d6702d]this is very important.[/u:2e12d6702d] Clean an area on the body near the starter switch, remove the starter wire and ground it on the body for just a brief moment. If the starter turns over you probably have a bad starter switch. Double check your ignition switch to make sure it is off you don't want that thing cranking up while you are standing beside it.

Buy a new switch, remove the shifter cover, get a new gasket, and be careful not to lose the detent ball and spring when you remove the cover. That ball and spring is covered by the rear lip on the shifter cover. If you lose the spring, I bet this site, Just 8ns, or your local NH dealer will be able to get one.

FYI, the belly of the cover will be greasy so a helping of diesel or Kerosene to clean it up to work on may be in order. It is actually a simple thing to do other than removing and re-installing the bolts and nuts. The one near the starter switch and gear shift was always the worst booger to tighten.

easy test?

got an ohm meter or test lamp?

#1pull wire off thumb switch and insulate the end.. do not let it touch ground.

be in neutral to test this just in case you mess up on #1.

#2, get ohm meter.. one lead to chassis one leat to tab on switch.. press switch.. should go to 0ish ohms.

or #3, test lamp from bat hot to tab on switch.. pressing it makes the lamp glow.

(quoted from post at 15:29:51 01/28/13) easy test?

got an ohm meter or test lamp?

#1pull wire off thumb switch and insulate the end.. do not let it touch ground.

be in neutral to test this just in case you mess up on #1.

#2, get ohm meter.. one lead to chassis one leat to tab on switch.. press switch.. should go to 0ish ohms.

or #3, test lamp from bat hot to tab on switch.. pressing it makes the lamp glow.

Click to expand...

I endorse Soundguy's process as better than mine. Go with his suggestions.