770 electrical issues

mapleman

Member
Stupid me decided to give the old girl a bit of a wash down when I went to replace the coil (having the choking and sputtering problem when she warmed up - that's why the coil replacement). So sprayed some degreaser on and washed it off with a hose (not a pressure washer). Changed the coil, got sidetracked, and did not try to fire her back up until a few hours later. When I tried to start her - no go.
At first - she turned over and over, no fire. THEN I turned the key and got nothing. I checked the battery - in good shape. I turned on the lights to make sure it was getting juice - I had lights until I hit the key again. Then it sounded like it shorted out - lights died. Nothing when I turned the key.
I let her sit overnight (we are drier than a popcorn fart here as well so it could be any better for drying out). Still nothing. Charged the battery anyway - still nothing.
I am an idiot with machines - but I hope to check with a multimeter to see where the issue is. I have not done that yet - still trying to figure out how to do that. I can deal with AC wiring in a house very well. DC wiring on car/trailer/tractor not my thing.
The best clue I can think of is that the lights were on and then when I hit the key it all "shorted" out.

I cannot find anywhere that a connection blew apart and it actually shorting out. It don't think it is a plug issue because after the first fail to fire - it won't even get to turning over. If my started went bad coincidentally, I should hear something right? And it would not short out the lights, right? FYI - I did not wash the starter side - only the side with the coil. Could it be a defective new coil?

Got any ideas?
 
As J S says, you have a bad connection.

First off check your battery terminals. That is my #1 offender. If it has the clamp on type ends make sure cables and ends are clean. If not here check the other ends of the cables.

AC or DC there must be good connections.
J
 
Yup sounds like connection problem from there I would check the voltage regulator, I have had to replace mine after a bath before due to them not being very water friendly.
 
Mapleman, Like John says, the ground cable is likely corroded on the inside. Run a jumper from the batt. ground post to the engine then try to crank it. Chuck
 
Since you can't see the voltage (or lack thereof) on your tractor, you need to do some troubleshooting with a $5 test light that is sold at your local auto parts store.
And I wish I had $5 for every time I recommend that advice.
 
JS is favourite, but if your starter is a bendix design, the starter dog may be jammed in mesh with the flywheel ring gear. You should at least hear the solenoid click, if this were the case.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I will try and pick up a cheapy light. less likely for me to screw it up. I worry about burning up a nice multimeter by not knowing what I am doing...

And I will certainly work on it either tonight or tomorrow and see what I can find. I will report back.
Thanks for the help,
john
 
UPDATE
I have replaced the solenoid and battery. I have unhooked the lights b/c I think that may have been where the short/ground problem was. I am not getting the short out anymore.
I got over my fear of the multimeter and did some measuring.
I get 12.66 volts at the positive terminal on the battery and the same at the starter. So I think I can rule out a bad cable. I hooked up an auxiliary ground to rule out a bad ground cable from the terminal.
I took the starter apart, cleaned it up, and I THINK it may be the starter (or the bendix gone bad).

A couple of years ago, I had trouble with the starter. My brother in law is very good with machinery. He found basically a bad spot on the armature and cleaned it up. It has run great since then. Maybe the starter is finally dead dead? It will suck to spend $300+ to replace it, but I may have to.

If it is a bad bendix - can the bendix be replaced without a whole new starter package?

thanks everyone for your time!
 

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