Starting Issue

22 Chief2 · Aug 22, 2021

I am having an issue with my new to me 8N. When I push the starter button the starter makes a noise like it is spinning but the engine wont turn over. If I push the starter button several times it may turn the engine over. If the engine turns a couple of turns it pops off and starts just fine. I have put a new starter and solenoid on. I checked the battery with a multi-meter and am getting 6.48 volts (running a 6V system). When I replaced the starter I looked at the ring gear and it looked fine. When the starter sounds like it is just spinning, I do not need to hand spin the engine to move the fly wheel so I dont believe it to be a ring gear issue. Where should I look next?

Bruce (VA) · Aug 22, 2021

Do a voltage drop test.

6.48 v at the battery is perfect, but you don't know how much of that voltage is actually getting to the starter. It takes a specific rpm of the starter motor to
spin the bendix out to engage the ring gear. If the motor is spinning ( and yours is) it may not be spinning fast enough to engage the bendix.

If it passes the voltage drop test, it's time to replace the bendix.
75 Tips

22 Chief2 · Aug 22, 2021

Thank you! I did replace the bendix and when that didnt work I replaced the whole starter with a new one with the bendix already on it. Still had same issue.

How do I do a voltage drop test?

Abbby · Aug 22, 2021

Using your voltmeter check the voltage at the starter while cranking.

teddy52food · Aug 22, 2021

Is the ring gear loose on the flywheel?

Den N Ms · Aug 22, 2021

22 Chief2 ,As Teddy52food said it could be a loose ring gear.Remove the starter and take a big screwdriver or a pry bar and turn the ring gear by the teeth and watch it to see if it is loose from the flywheel when turning it.If it is post back for more info.

Bruce (VA) · Aug 23, 2021

Testing voltage drop is easy but it requires a helper or clamp-on test leads. You first check voltage at the battery, then move your lead over to the starter lug. This is assuming positive ground polarity. While holding the two leads in place have your helper press the start button and you read the voltage. Any more than 1.5 volts drop and you have a problem.

If you have a meter w/ a loop ammeter, Ford specs 100 to 150 amps cranking a warm engine.
75 Tips

Jim L WA · Aug 23, 2021

I know you said it's 6 volts, but has someone replaced the battery cables with the small cables used with 12 volt systems?

22 Chief2 · Aug 27, 2021

So I am still having starting issues. I removed the starter and verified the ring gear is not spinning in the flywheel. I checked voltage drop, I am getting an initial 6.37 volts at the main post on the solenoid and when I press the starter button bolts drop to the neighborhood of 5.8 volts.
The symptom remains the same, when I press the starter button the starter sounds as if is spinning but the engine dont turn over. Every once in awhile the engine turns and the tractor starts right up.
New starter, new bendix, new solenoid.
Any ideas of what to look at next?

Bruce (VA) · Aug 28, 2021

You have a defective bendix.

Try another supplier to get a different brand.

Don't put any grease on the shaft.
75 Tips

Jim L WA · Aug 28, 2021

22 Chief, Question: did you put on a new starter and solenoid because of this problem?

Starting Issue

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