Ford 3400 Cold Start Issues

Jetbird · Feb 24, 2014

Hi, I have a 1968 3400 3-cyl. gas tractor. Starts great when it's warm, but when it's cold I just get a click. Tapping the starter relay mounted under the battery tray pivot pin usually gets it to start. So far I have replaced the crappy old cables with new heavy cables (01 gauge IIRC). Also bought a nice new battery with lots of CCA, I think 700. Tractor has a new voltage regulator as of last summer. Once it starts cranking the starter spins nice and fast, so I don't think the battery is low. Should I suspect the starter relay since it starts after I tap on it? Does my starter have a solenoid mounted on it, maybe it's that? Already searched the archives and I am a dunce with electrical, would really appreciate help. Thank you. :?

Dean · Feb 24, 2014

Starter solenoid is simply a different word for starter relay in most applications.

Yes, it sounds like yours is failing, though it could be the starter.

Dean

Jetbird · Feb 24, 2014

So a little research suggests I need an Echlin ST542, which can be found at NAPA. This is a 4-pole 12 volt solenoid. Seems like an easy thing to try. Maybe the contactor inside is wearing out so even though it clicks for me, I am not getting a good connection. Is that the idea? Thanks.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 25, 2014

Remove the solinoid and clean it and the brkt. it mounts on.They must be grounded. We had several new tractors come in that we had to do that.

Ford 3400 Cold Start Issues

Jetbird

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Dean

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Jetbird

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Anonymous-0

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