Another one to run by you guys...

My Ferguson TO-35 has been cranky starting this year...actually, to turn over. Once she turns, fine. Been suspecting a switch problem. I'd turn the key, nothing...hold it there for 15-20 seconds...RRRRRrrrrr vrooom.

Last night, nothing. I used a test wire to short between leads on the solenoid that go to the switch (after making sure the bucket was down, I had a chock in place, and 3 times made sure I was in neutral!)...bam, there she goes.

Which makes me believe I have a bum switch or contacts needing to be cleaned there...BUT...

If the switch was bad, why does the tractor shut off when you turn off the switch???

Would this indicate I have some other problem? Or just corrosion on the switch contacts is such, there's enough voltage getting by to keep the solenoid closed, but not enough to close it to begin with?

Thanks again,
Matt (Who is 15 years younger than said tractor...)

Thanks guys!

Carol

I only saw two wires that were blitheringly obvious, maybe I didn't notice a third going up there.

I'll have to raise the bucket up to get myself in a better position to take a look.

Carol

For some reason (rectal cranial inversion?) I wasn't thinking of the start-run like a car has.

There's only two wires going to the switch...does the "on" position hold something open by nature of completeting a circuit to ground, whereas the "start" position completes a circuit back to the solenoid?

Just curious...I'll run to Napa one day and buy a new key switch anyway!