Somerschool
New User
I have an early 8N (Serial number 1000 or so) that deserves a better owner than me and a MUCH better mechanic. Here's my problem:
I was mowing tall grass and lost power. Turned out my air filter was completely clogged with grass seeds. By the time I figured out that problem, however, the tractor had been out in the field in an inch or more of rain. When I went to start it, I got NOTHING.
I assumed the battery was dead, and charged it up to a full 6V before I tried again. Still NOTHING. NO clicks, no noise, no nothing. It's just like what happens when you try to start the tractor while it is in gear--nothing.
I got out my voltmeter and measured no voltage drop between the hot wire on the starter and the starter button. I pushed the button and got a very satisfactory 6V drop. So it would appear that I have all the electricity I need at exactly the right spot.
My local mechanic suggested I whack the starter with a hammer. I did so, but without a lot of confidence. Nothing. I read a suggestion online that I put the tractor in high gear and rock it until the fan rotated. I did that and heard some encouraging puffing noises from the pistons, but no change back at the starter.
I'm assuming the rain could have allowed something to short out somewhere, but I can't see why I still wouldn't get some reaction from the starter if I put 6 volts through it. I can't see why the starter would completely die on my after sitting in the rain. Is there anything I can do with a voltmeter, hammer, or pixie dust short of replacing the starter?
I was mowing tall grass and lost power. Turned out my air filter was completely clogged with grass seeds. By the time I figured out that problem, however, the tractor had been out in the field in an inch or more of rain. When I went to start it, I got NOTHING.
I assumed the battery was dead, and charged it up to a full 6V before I tried again. Still NOTHING. NO clicks, no noise, no nothing. It's just like what happens when you try to start the tractor while it is in gear--nothing.
I got out my voltmeter and measured no voltage drop between the hot wire on the starter and the starter button. I pushed the button and got a very satisfactory 6V drop. So it would appear that I have all the electricity I need at exactly the right spot.
My local mechanic suggested I whack the starter with a hammer. I did so, but without a lot of confidence. Nothing. I read a suggestion online that I put the tractor in high gear and rock it until the fan rotated. I did that and heard some encouraging puffing noises from the pistons, but no change back at the starter.
I'm assuming the rain could have allowed something to short out somewhere, but I can't see why I still wouldn't get some reaction from the starter if I put 6 volts through it. I can't see why the starter would completely die on my after sitting in the rain. Is there anything I can do with a voltmeter, hammer, or pixie dust short of replacing the starter?