1986 JD 214 electric lift not working-grounding question

I'm trying to get my electric lift unit on my 1986 JD 214 to work again. I have a JD service manual and have performed all but one test, which is the small switches on the actuator. The motor/unit works when I connected leads directly from the battery to the motor. The motor/unit works when I performed the test lift actuator assembly. When I performed the test solenoid function my test light would not light. The manual says either solenoid is defective or not grounded. I replaced one of the solenoids (no longer available from John Deere, I purchased one from Ebay) as I could not feel a click when moving the lever from raise to lower. My question is about not being grounded. What can I do to get a ground to the solenoids? Do I run a wire lead from the negative battery post to the solenoid(s) where they are bolt to the side panel? I do intend to perform the test switches function. Any assistance is always appreciated.
 
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Sounds like you have the later, two solenoid system?

The solenoids, AM35906 appear to be still readily available from DEERE.

Does each solenoid "click" in turn as the control lever is mover one way or the other?

That would be my first step, to check that the "control" part of the system is working.

You could take an unpowered test light, clip the lead to a good ground, then touch the probe to the small terminal that activates each solenoid and verify power is getting there, then touch the probe to the "case" of the solenoid. If the solenoid is not grounded the test light will light there, as well.

The solenoids are unique in that two of the large terminals are connected together when the solenoid coil is NOT powered, then, when the coil is powered those contacts "open" and another set closes.

Similar solenoids are used on electric winches and it when one fails it takes a bit of thought and testing to figure out what's going on.

Also, on the power/motor side there is a fuse link from one of the large solenoid studs to ground. Is that intact and grounded?
 
Thanks for your reply. I have the 2 solenoid unit. I see where the solenoid(s) are available from DEERE. At first when I installed the new solenoid both of them would click. Now, the solenoids click when you turn the igniton switch on. I don't think that is right. I have another 214 with identical electric lift. My fuse is intact fastened to one of the large solenoid studs that is bolted to the side panel with the operating lever. Everything is bolted firmly. I did take a test light connected to ground and to the small terminal and it lights. I'm wondering should I run a wire from the negative battery post and connect it where the solenoids are bolted for grounding? I'm not sure what is meant by being grounded and how to solve it. I believe I will remove the panel and run a test on the solenoids. Thanks for you help!
 
(quoted from post at 05:06:52 04/28/21) Thanks for your reply. I have the 2 solenoid unit. I see where the solenoid(s) are available from DEERE. At first when I installed the new solenoid both of them would click. Now, the solenoids click when you turn the igniton switch on. I don't think that is right. I have another 214 with identical electric lift. My fuse is intact fastened to one of the large solenoid studs that is bolted to the side panel with the operating lever. Everything is bolted firmly. I did take a test light connected to ground and to the small terminal and it lights. I'm wondering should I run a wire from the negative battery post and connect it where the solenoids are bolted for grounding? I'm not sure what is meant by being grounded and how to solve it. I believe I will remove the panel and run a test on the solenoids. Thanks for you help!

You wrote "the solenoids click when you turn the ignition switch on".

If you are saying they BOTH do that would seem to indicate they ARE grounded.

On the other hand, I don't believe they should BOTH be energized at the same time, that may be why the lift doesn't work.

You said you had a shop manual, there's a section that goes into detail on how the adjust the microswitches on the left lever mechanism and shows the wiring.

Also, for testing, it sure wouldn't hurt to run a ground wire from the solenoid mounting bolts to the (-) battery cable, loss of ground from rust and paint between the dash pedestal and the frame could cause some weird issues.
 

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