starter stays engaged

~The solenoid return spring broken, or malfunctioning..

~Or the starter drive over-running rollers jamming & allowing the flywheel to back drive the starter.. Usually if this happens it will eventually release the starter drive though..

~Another cause is power applied to the solenoid during the starter's initial engagement then a sneak circuit [or malfunctioning push button] holding it engaged while the ign switch is on.. Or a sticking push button contact..

~Probably your best way of finding it is to pull the flywheel cover & crawl down under the tractor & take a look with a light as the starter is engaged & the starter button is pushed & released.. If you can get to it? Try removing the black wire from the starter�s solenoid & then hooking a jumper wire to that terminal on the solenoid, then try momentarily jumping that jumper wire to the big stud on the starter� If the starter engages & stays engaged your problem is in the starter solenoid or starter drive� If the starter spins the engine & releases good when the jumper is removed your problem is either in the push button or a sneak circuit in a wire running to the push button..

~If you find the problem is in the push button area remove the black wire that runs from the back of the push button to the solenoid & touch that wire to the one running from the ign switch,, that should crank it, if it quits cranking when that wire is removed your problem is at the push button or in the circuit running from the ballast resistor..

~It shouldn�t take you long to isolate the area that the problem is in.. It might take a little longer to actually find the exact cause..

~If you need a wire print of that starting system just let me know�

[email protected]

~

Do you mean that once started you momentarily turn the ignition off then right back on (quickly so the engine keeps running) then the starter is free????? ????? If so, the push switch may be hanging in. HOWEVER, if the push switch was still stuck in/down AFTER you turn the ignition switch back on (quick so engine kept running), the solenoid would try to re engage the starter and it would grind its teeth with the flywheel. It depends on how long the push switch may be stuck down engaged till it releases fully?????

IF YOU TURN OFF THEN QUICKLY BACK ON THE IGNITION, does the starter try to re engage and/or grind its teeth????? ??

OR

Do you mean you just turn her off PERIOD in which case the solenoid isnt engaged and the starter motor or engines no longer running ?????

If so, does she start right back up and sound like the starter drive engages the flywheel and she cranks over

ORRRRR R

Is it like the drive is permanently stuck into the flywheel and pushing the start switch starts her but she stays engaged until you turn the tractor completely off??? If thats the case, the drive may be stuck mechanically into the flywheel in which case you may need to rock the flywheel or loosen the starter and get it UNSTUCK before you harm the starter and drive.

*********ELECTRICAL STICKING********************

IF turning off the switch releases the starter AND IF the start push switch derives its power from the ignition switch such that it being OFF kills power to (feed) the push start switch, the push switch may be hanging in. That could be a mechanical corrosion sticking problem causing the switch to be stuck in for a while until it vibrates free. DOES THE PUSH BUTTON POP BACK OUT FULLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU RELEASE IT???? Exercise and WD 40 and air may clean up the switch if its getting mechanically stuck and hanging in.

***********TROUBLESHOOTING PUSH SWITCH***********

1) Remove the wire from the push switch going down to the starter solenoid (so pushing it dont engage the starter motor and solenoid) and place a test lamp on the terminal and have ignition switch on. Then push it and the lamp should come on BUTTTTT when released it should go immedialey OFF. DOES THAT HAPPEN??? If the lamp stays lit long after the push button is released, its hanging in stuck mechanically which air and wd 40 may cure or it may need replaced. It (switch terminal going down to starter solenoid) should light when pushed down but go off immediatley when released.

Finally, you asked about starter drive repair if its a mechancical drive stickign problem and NOT the electrical problems described above. It may be possible to remove the starter and thoroughly clean and re lube the starter drive. I use light lithium grease on them, if she still mechanically sticks into teh flywheel, the starter mounting may be loose or the drive simply needs replaced.

Sorry John, but from your description I couldnt tell if you were turning the ignition switch off PERIOD to stop the start motor form engaging or you meant you tuned it off then quickly back on she released and the engine kept running??? If she is hanging in electrically from a sticking switch, a repair or replacement may cure the problem. Do the start push switch test above to see. If the starter drive is stuck mechanically into the flywheel all the time and you have to turn the ignition off period to stop it, the drive needs attention and rock the flywheel and loosen the starter and see if you can clean and re lube the dive mechanism.

Post back your results and test the push switch and e mail or post any more questions [email protected] and we can proceed further if needed.

Good luck n God Bless ya John

John T Nordhoff

~CAREFULY reach up in the starter nose cone & see if you can use a finger & turn the starter drive gear backwards with your finger. It should lock up when turned the other way but freewheels in the reverse direction.. If it is locked both ways you probably have failed starter drive rollers, or broken roller springs.. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST!!

~If the starter drive does indeed freewheel in one direction suspect the starter solenoid return spring is broken or the solenoid is jamming up in it's bore.. You could even have a broken starter nose cone [I hope not,, BIG$$$], or even a broken fork..

[email protected]

You may be able to clean and lube up the drive sliding part and assembly so she slides in and out nice n smooth on the shaft as she should if that appears to be any of your drive hanging problem. If the interior of the drive assembly is bad causing it to NOT back out from the flywheels teeth, you may not be able to do any good cleaning or lubing.

On the solenoid, some (not sure about yours) you can remove the electromagnet barrell part of the solenoid where the spring is away from the rest of the starter. Those plungers need to move free in and out in the barrell (not rusted or gummed up) so the spring holds it in till the solenoid (electromagnet) is engaged forcing it out. I did that to one and my son used the spring under one of his drum kick pedals lol it worked great.

Sounds like she's mechanically hanging in, so check and clean and lube the drive and make sure the solenoid pushes the drive out but she snaps (spring action) back in when power is removed.

Sorry I needed to know more about what you meant by she "stays engaged" but hopefully now you can figure her out and may need a new drive or solenoid.

John T