starter button

R Bruce

Member
Hello all, I have a JD model 50 (1956) , not get engaging the starter, I did all the usual, clean the battery posts, went underneath and cleaned all connections inside the button and post on the outside. Checked for juice, got a good result, but still no engagement. The inside of the button shows a decent amount of wear, anyone have a suggestion before I flip that out?
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Likely, the copper stud in the starter that the moveable contact touches is arced away, as well.

Sometimes it is possible to slot the two mounting holes in the starter switch a bit and move it a little towards the copper stud in the starter and get another year or two of starts out of it.

You have to be careful, though, not to move it enough so it's metal case shorts to the stud.

If replacing the switch, it's best if a NOS US-made Delco can be found (possibly ebay) vs. the junk from ''The Land of Almost Right'' being sold today.

At some point, the stud in the starter will need to be replaced, a job for an auto-electric shop unless you have a soldering copper and the soldering skills to do it yourself.
 
Flip the stud around. It sure looks like the bottom contacting half is all worn away. Then just push on it and see how it contacts. Right now if u push on if u should see a no contact situation.
 
Ive had some luck dressing the contact points in those switches but its hard go get in there EASIER TO BUY A NEW SWITCH. One other thing Ive tired is to open up the two holes where the switch mounts to relocate the switch a bit relative to the starter BUT AGAIN JUST GET A NEW SWITCH.. Make sure the pedal and any linkage allows the button to be pushed all the way down tight.

John T
 
Check where the battery is grounded. If it is grounded to the battery box, the ground should be moved to the rear end casting below the box. These tractors were notorious getting corrosion between the battery box and the cast rear end, causing a loss of ground and continuity.
 
I repaired a Auto-lite switch like that(Hard to find) by taking it all apart, sanding up all the contacts and re-assemble with thin spacers under the stud and the connector bar to take care of the wear and all new insulate-ing material. It had a snap ring on plunger so it was possible to dis-assemble. It works like new now but a lot of work. Your switch is the same as Delco and new switches are $20-$30 at Napa. Auto zone and others so very easy to get a new switch???Cleddy
 

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