MF 165 Mod 66 Diesel - smoke around the starter

When I started my MF 165 for the last time, I noticed some smoke coming around the starter, so I was very worried about this ! But I kept driving because I had to pull my brother's car. I kept driving because I thought the clutch was stukked. I definetly sure it is an electrical problem because my head lights were very weak. So the battery was not charging except when I shaked the wires coming from the starter going to the regulator or somewhere else. So If you have an idea for proceeding properly... You are welcome ! I would chek it in the right order. Thanks a lot in advance Jicarre from Belgium

For your replies. I measured the power around the starter. It makes 7.90 V when the ground on and 0.8 V when I turn the switch ignition key. No reaction only the little cylinder on the top of the starter is burning after few seconds trying.

I remember when I tried to start the engine the day after the incident, I needed to switch off the ground key because a noise (bzzzzz zzzzz z)came from the starter. It was the only way to stop the suspect noise... You imagine I would not prefer to buy an new starter ! How can I be sure it is the starter wrong ?

My guess would be that running this with the starter engaged burnt your starter out. If that is the case you will also need to check the teeth on the starter when you change it. If the teeth on the starter gear are gone or wore down real bad, you may want to look inside the bell housing on your tractor to make sure the teeth on the flywheel are not tore up. If the flywheel teeth are shot, you'll have to split the tractor in half to change the ring gear.

Deffinately not good running the tractor like that. What starts out as a small in-exspensive problem can quickly turn into a major costly problem if ignored.

Thank you for answering my question. So I tried like you said to bypass the + of the battery but without success and the solenoid is very hot after fex try but nothing happen not either a clic or a clac ! So what to do else ?
I did not yet dismount the starter to have a look on the teeht... Is something to do before dismantel ? Is something else to check ?

It sounds to me like you need to look into finding a new starter and solinoid. I would check ebay before buying new from a dealer.

The last starter I bought was pretty close to $400 for a rebuilt.

I will have a look soon. If I have good news, I will keep you informed !

Keep one eye on this post !

Jicarre

You may have to dig deep in your wallet to replace the starter now. With any luck the starter lived through it. It is more than likely the solinoid being stuck, a bad ignition switch is a good possibility.

I think if it were me and someone needed a tow...and my starter started smoking. I would shut the thing down and either fix it or call a tow truck for them. I'm pretty certain a starter will cost you a whole lot more than a tow truck.