574 IH starter problems

bayouman74

New User
I am new to this website so please bear with me if I forget something. I have a 1974 IH. It is a model 574 diesel. This old machine has been doing fine until recently. I went out to start it about a month ago and all I could get was a click from the starter. So since the starter had not been serviced in over 15 years, I decided to get a rebuilt one. I had the supplier to try the starter before I left his place--the starter turned good. Put it on tractor and nothing but a momentary click. Bought a new switch-put in on and still would not start. I then bought a new battery and installed it and still it does not start. I have tested the continuity of the + and - battery cables and get 12 volts from the + post of the battery to the starter solenoid. Can someone give me a clue as to what to do? Thanks for your help!
The Louisiana bayouman74
 
Easy stuff first if you have not done already, you may want to check it again. Clean connections are a must, make them shine. Proper sized cables. The solenoid needs to be checked if it is passing all the power, You can do this by bypassing the solenoid with a good set of jumper cables. It still could have a poor ground.
 
You have already made mistake #1 you throw parts at it before trouble shooting.
I have a 584 that gives me trouble off and on like your having. It has always been battery cable connection issues. But on this one it has a good reason for giving me problems. It was given to me because it caught fire and ALL the wiring was burned off of it and as of right now it has 3 wires. A start wire a excite wire and a charge wire. Your problem is very likely to be simple poor battery cable connections or even a bad battery cable
 
I would start by getting some alligator clips or a helper to hold the voltmeter on the + and (-) terminals of the battery at the time when you attempt to start and are getting the click.

If the battery voltage barely dips then you have a bad connection somewhere, energy is unable to flow to the electrical load.

If the battery voltage dips way down, lets say in the 8-9 volt range while starting, then the electrical energy is flowing and current paths are likely sound. It leaves two possibilities, either that the starter or engine is mechanically jammed, OR the battery is weak and unable to supply the proper amount of current.

Ideally you started with a stationary battery voltage north of 12 volts. One option to get more clarity is to remove the battery and have it load tested, or, if you know its an old battery that has been sitting and not maintained on a tender or minder, then it may be time to pony up for a new battery. I highly recommend the tender or minder for batteries that sit for extended periods.
 
(quoted from post at 17:37:45 10/19/18) I am new to this website so please bear with me if I forget something. I have a 1974 IH. It is a model 574 diesel. This old machine has been doing fine until recently. I went out to start it about a month ago and all I could get was a click from the starter. So since the starter had not been serviced in over 15 years, I decided to get a rebuilt one. I had the supplier to try the starter before I left his place--the starter turned good. Put it on tractor and nothing but a momentary click. Bought a new switch-put in on and still would not start. I then bought a new battery and installed it and still it does not start. I have tested the continuity of the + and - battery cables and get 12 volts from the + post of the battery to the starter solenoid. Can someone give me a clue as to what to do? Thanks for your help!
Gentlemen: Thanks for all your advice! I will try all of these tips and get back with you as to what happens. I am 74+ so it will take me some time to check all these suggestions to see if they help. Thanks again for the help! It sure is good to have a website like this!
The Louisiana bayouman74
 
Like old says-you need to troubleshoot before replacing parts.In addition to what matt said,there is a safety switch on the clutch pedal.But what you need to check first-try to crank the starter,test for 12v at the small terminal on the starter solenoid.If there is-check your cables like matt said.If not-trace the wire back from the solenoid to the key switch. It should go thru the safety switch.You can jumper around it TEMPORARILY. AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN NEUTRAL WHILE TESTING. Let us know what you find.Mark.
 
Hi, first check the battery ground cable were it connects to the transmission housing on the right side under the battery box.
Remove the bolt and clean the connection. The 574 also has a clutch depressed starter safety switch. The switch is located on
the upper side of the clutch pedal with 2 wires into it. For testing only the wires can be connected together eliminating the
switch.
If the the starter still just clicks then does your 574 Diesel have an upright muffler or an under slung exhaust?
If upright muffler was there a rain cap on the muffler and was it parked outside?
Water could have have run down the muffler and into one or more cylinders causing a hydro lock.
If you suspect a hydro lock DO NOT try pull starting the tractor or forcing the engine to turn over a severe damage to the
engine rods could occur.
To verify hydro lock, block rear wheels, put tractor in neutral, remove the starter and use a bar or large screwdriver in the
ring gear teeth and pry to turn the engine over. If it will not go one direction try the other direction, see if you can turn
the engine at least 1 revolution.

JimB
 
At some point in time they added a clutch pedal safety switch. Try a jumper wire in it .If it starts there is your problem and I will bet that is the most likely problem. This will be right down by the pedal pivot. Will have 2 wires coming off the same side just unplug it,with the jumper wire in the plug on the wire side it should start. Only thing is you don't have the safety of not starting with the key, not pushing the pedal down. Ours got by passed years ago. I'll venture to say a good portion of them have been done.
 
Good Morning Gentlemen: I would like to thank all of you for your responses and suggestions as to how to get my 574 to crank. I finally found the problem and fixed it! The wire going to the starter solenoid from the switch broke somewhere and how this happened I do not know. The last time I had used the tractor everything worked properly and some way while the tractor was sitting the wire broke. Sounds crazy to me but when I replaced the wire the "ole joker" cranked. Again thanks to all of you guys for your help and thanks for this website!
 

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