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1973 Ford 4000 STARTER DIAGNOSTIC

A

Allen L

Member
Tried to start my 1973 Ford 4000 today and saw sparks at starter area. Could not tell if sparks came from solenoid or starter.Now it is totally dead. What should I consider as problem? Thank you in advance for your response. Allen
 
Before getting into full-fledged diagnostics, do the simple stuff first, and look CLOSELY at all connections at the starter for evidence of what sparked, and for discoloration from heating.

Clean (wire brush) any suspicious-looking connections, and snug up all nuts and screws involved in connections and give 'er a try again.

OBVIOUSLY, be careful and probably disconnect a cable at the battery so as not to make a "short" with your tools. Mite as well give the connections at the battery a good cleaning, while you're at it.

HOPEFULLY, that will clear up the issue, and there's no actual "short" or other damage that will need to be repaired.

Also, very rarely, the starter mounting bolts may be loose and/or there may be rust, dirt and corrosion between the starter and the mounting surface, causing a poor ground (and sparking) where the starter is mounted.
 
With the key off, find something to jump across the two large posts on the solenoid, like a heavy gauge wire or even a jumper cable. If it turns over, then it's probably the solenoid that went south. If not it may be the starter.
 
Gas or diesel?
The ground cable on a 3 cyl is usually hooked to one of the bolts that bolt the starter to the engine. The starter ground usually does not require a clean mating surface between the engine and starter.
For the rest, follow the advice from the fellows below.
 
I have checked all connections and cleaned. If i bridge across the two poles on the solenoid I get spark but does not engage starter. Should It engage by doing this?
 
(quoted from post at 10:46:36 01/04/19) I have checked all connections and cleaned. If i bridge across the two poles on the solenoid I get spark but does not engage starter. Should It engage by doing this?
Click to expand...

Does the starter spin and not engage with the flywheel ring gear, or does it not spin at all?
 
(quoted from post at 15:15:35 01/04/19) Totally silent, non engagement at all
Click to expand...

Starter drive may be jammed in ring gear teeth.

(Be SURE ignition switch or diesel fuel shutoff is "off"!)

If you are able, put transmission in a higher gear and grab a back tire and vigorously rock the tractor back and forth, (having a BIG tough buddy helps) and note if the engine fan moves. (Indicating the ring gear is free of the starter drive and the engine is free to rotate.)

If the starter has jammed, this SHOULD free it, if there's enough "muscle" to rock it.

Alternately, loosen the starter mounting bolts, and wiggle the starter, freeing the drive.

If that's the problem, you should probably take the starter completely off and check the condition of the starter drive and flywheel ring gear.

If not, sounds like the starter needs to be opened up and checked out.
 
While I still have you for advice. My 4000 is diesel and the starter is hard to get to should I need to take it out. I see two bolts on front but there must be one or two hidden between starter and block.
How many bolts hold it on? thanks again.
 
3 bolts. If yours has a single fuel filter then you may be able to get to the third bolt in the back with some extensions and u joints on your ratchet. If it has the dual filter then you're going to have to remove the filter assembly for sure.
 
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