mf 240 starting problems- please advise

M. Cox

New User
I have had starting problems that seem to be getting worse since I bought the tractor. I have average mechanical ability, but certainly not a mechanic. My biggest problem is the it is intermittent, and cannot consistently tell what the problem is. I replaced the ignition switch. No difference. Last summer, I took the starter to a shop that "bench tested" it and said it appeared to be good, but could be "going out." I have considered that it is a safety lockout issue but don't understand why i can't straight jump the started from the battery. I usually don't get a click of the solenoid. I have take the starter off multiple times, clean contacts multiple time. Sometimes that works and sometimes not. The only thing that is consistent is that when I turn key to "accessory" the two lights in the picture light up and immediately go out when turned to start. Any advice appreciated.
 
You have "cleaned contacts multiple times". That means both ends of the ground cable as well? If everything you've mentioned so far checks
out, I'd be suspicious of one of the cable's ability to "carry the load". Have you approached it from that angle?
 

Did you try a different battery? Bad battery will do all that....if battery good....did you check your battery / cable connections? , take them off, clean them, including and replacement end clamps.

240 here wouldn't start one day, no/poor click from solenoid, some lights on dash, I found corrosion inside the cable end clamps, took them apart, cleaned, put back together and instant start.
 
I'm not fam with a switch that has an "accessory" position but there "may" be some things to try besides what has been mentioned. With your key in your pocket, not kidding, both gear shifters in "N" and "S", fuel shut off cable "OFF", with a chrome shafted screwdriver short the big terminal to the small terminal(that has a wire on it, usually towards the engine side) on the solenoid. It may spark a little but if the starter engages and turns the engine then you have an issue with the wiring from the starter to the neutral safety switch and key switch. If nothing happens then either the starter or solenoid may be failing/has failed. A failing solenoid will sometimes act like a bad starter also. Let us know what happens.
 
I had a similar issue on a 220. It was a bad wiring joint (connection) in the wire bundle behind the instrument panel which was accessible under the hood.
 
I think I finally figured it out. It was the battery neg (ground cable to frame). I really didn't suspect it as it appeared in good shape. it must have a lot of corrosion under the plastic cover. The pos battery cable has always had more corrosion. I have cleaned the contacts for both the pos and neg cables, and other contacts which sometimes helped for a few weeks. The strangest thing is that I got no voltage drop when I tested either lead with the multi meter. I thought it was was stater because the gauges would cut off when it tried to crank it. I hope this holds up. If so, it would be the best 10 dollars i ever spent.
 

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