Farmall M starter button

iowa806

Member
I had to replace the original starter button on the m a couple years ago. Since that time i have gone thru two of the cheap A&I buttons. Its 12v with new cables, good connections and the starter has been rebuilt, but those a&i buttons just do not hold up. Are there better buttons available thru Steiners, All states Ag, etc.? Or are they all built at the same place. I have also heard you can wire in a ford relay to take the load off of the starter button. What do you guys think my best option is?
 
The last one I got I got from the local NAPA store for a '50's Chevy truck and the was 10 years ago and still works great.....Kenny
 
I have my working M wired up with a Ford solenoid and a key switch. Havent replaced that in, oh 15 - 16 years. My I4 and restored M both have buttons I bought at NAPA. They are pretty old, but dont get used much anymore. You could wire up the Ford solenoid and keep it original looking.
 

I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I used the holes where the foot activated switch went to mount a standard Ford-type solenoid. I activate the solenoid with this push button switch:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CON4MU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
I own a 51 GMC the switch is saddle mounted to the starter motor, not remote like a M. they are
good switches, but only have one terminal, the moving part touches a stud on the motor.
Jim
 
The Ford relay (solenoid) can be placed near or on the starter. Then you could use the existing or new push button to send 12v to the S marked (small) terminal on the relay. There is also a "I" small terminal that can be connected directly to the coil side of the ignition resistor if it has one. That helps starting by giving the coil higher voltage while cranking. Jim
 
(quoted from post at 09:01:18 04/03/20) The Ford relay (solenoid) can be placed near or on the starter. Then you could use the existing or new push button to send 12v to the S marked (small) terminal on the relay. There is also a "I" small terminal that can be connected directly to the coil side of the ignition resistor if it has one. That helps starting by giving the coil higher voltage while cranking. Jim

Mine is mounted right on the starter using a spare brush cover from another Farmall starter. A momentary contact switch feeds the solenoid.
 
Two comments that may help:
1. Put the solenoid/relay as close to the starter as possible to minimize the "Line Loss" in the heavy cables. (This advice came from this YT site.)
2. Use a simple key switch to activate the solenoid/relay. This is a safety feature if you have kids or grandkids around. This advice also came from this YT site.)
 
I put a ford solenoid on my H and MH44, takes current off button and allows me to interlock key switch.
 

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