MF1085 starter problem

Hal Gillett

New User
Hello all. First time on this or any forum.
Problem- the starter on my MF1085 sometimes "sticks on". After starting the tractor, I can hear something high pitched and whining. Even once I turn the tractor off, the sound continues. I've had to disconnect the battery to stop it. Once, hitting the starter with a hammer stopped it.
Now, I was servicing the batteries and replacing a ground cable. Once I reattached one battery, the tractor tried to start as soon as I reconnected the ground. The starter is somehow stuck on. I'm not the most mechanically inclined but I'm keen to learn and enjoy fixing things myself if I can. I was going to replace the starter but wondered if there was a simple servicing of the starter that might fix it- lubrication or something like that. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!
 
More then likely the solenoid is stuck. I would have the entire starter looked at or replace the entire starter. The reason being is that you had it stick on while the tractor was running. This usually over speeds the starter and they usually are damaged when this happens. Think about the BIG ring gear turning the little starter drive gear.
 
Okay- thanks for the advice. I was wondering about whether the solenoid was at fault so I will probably have both replaced. Appreciate it!
 
Having the starter rebuilt is less expensive than replacing it with a new starter. Starter solenoids are fairly inexpensive.
I've got a Massey 285 that I use every day (7 days/week) and probably have to have the starter rebuilt every two or three years. Whe you remove the starter, if you find the bolt closest to the block is virtually inaccessable, when you have the starter rebuilt, the starter can be "indexed" which shifts the solenoid outboard and therefore making that third bolt eassier to remove/install.The first time I had to remove the starter I just about lost my religion, what an absolute chore...anyway, after having the rebuilder index it, I can now remove and/or install the starter without blistering the air at all.
 
I hear you about turning the air blue- just looking at how to remove the starter made me shake my head- steel lines of some sort in the way just for a start. I'm going to start with the solenoid- already have it out- see if that solves the problem. If not, I may call in some help.
 
Chances are the solenoid is the problem, especially since hitting it with a hammer stopped it.

There are 2 causes for a starter to stay engaged.

One is a mechanical malfunction with the solenoid or starter. It can be an electrical connection within the solenoid or the starter drive gear binding on the shaft, not allowing the gear to retract out of the flywheel.

The other cause is electrical. The small terminal on the solenoid is what signals the solenoid to energize. If that terminal is continuing to get power with the engine running, the starter will stay engaged. Causes are, the wire is improperly installed and touching the battery cable, the wire harness is damaged, shorting the wire to battery voltage, the ignition switch is shorted or failing to return.

If it continues to stay engaged, be ready to disconnect the small wire, see if that stops it.
 
Thanks for the info. I like how you say to be ready to detach the small wire. That bit about being ready reminds me of one time how I was in the middle of my field with no tools, and then running at full tilt to the drive shed for tools while the solenoid or starter was whining and smoking! By the time I got back, all was quiet. It had disengaged on it's own. Fun times.
 
The contacts in the solenoid/switch are stuck/welded together. That's not an entirely uncommon problem. You likely have a Lucas M50 starter
on that thing. The switch for that thing could be anywhere from 20 bucks to 150 bucks depending on which exact one it is. If it's the cheap
one I'd just replace the switch. If it's the expensive one I'd probably replace the whole starter.... You can buy genuine Lucas starters for
probably ~400 if you look around. Personally I'd stay clear of the aftermarket starters.
You should also take a close look at the battery cables and battery itself. This problem usually develops as a result of low cranking voltage
and high current draw. The cables may be fairly rotten internally at this point and for all they cost might well be worth replacing.

Rod
 
Perhaps foolishly, I opted to spray some lube where the plunger spring enters the housing attached to the starter and put everything back together. Turned the key and turned it over. No solenoid sticking on (yet) so it's working for now. Over the last year, replaced all the battery cables and took the batteries in out of the cold to charge them. They're up to snuff, so we'll see how long things last. I will soon pick up a solenoid I ordered in case it craps out again. Thanks everyone for all the advice and tips. Will probably be back some day with more questions about something else.
 

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