1964 Ford 4000 Gas

I have a 1964 Ford 4000 that runs great but I can"t get it started unless I pop start it. Currently I can"t even get the starter to turn over. I replaced the starter. I replaced the starter solenoid and I installed a new starter safety button. I turn the key on and hit the starter button and nothing. If I jump the starter directly from the battery it turns the starter over. The tractor is still 6-volt.

What transmission?

Original or modified starter wiring?

Did you install a 6V solenoid?

Dean

a). Bad starter button.
b). Bad wire from ignition switch to starter button.
c). Bad wire from starter button to solenoid.

In b) that would include wiring to/from safety switch.

That's where I would start, anyway..

I'm assuming its a 4cyl. gasser. My experiences with 63 4000 gasser / 5spd. may or maynot be helpful. DEAN and SOUNDGUY and a couple more guys here are the true gurus on these older Fords.

On my 63, need to have adequate size battery cables from B. to Sol. to Starter as well as to Ground. Make DARN SURE your connections are bright metal-to-metal at each connection INCLUDING the battery posts...also that your cable(s) don't have internal corrosion. With that said, your starter switch may have a bit of dirt/trash/ XX that keeps it from working properly.

Here's a "test"... sit in the seat...tractor tranny in neutral...switch key "on"...take a screwdriver or some metal object and "cross" the screw terminal (on the starter button on the tranny top) to "ground". I do this against the starter button itself. It should spin right over.

The "starter buttons" can be a "PIA" even when new. Just this morning, I started my 4000 w/o any difficulty (in the proper manner)... shut down a few minutes later and it was like your description...IE dead. I then did the screwdriver thing and it instantly fired. Later...after another shutdown it restarted like it was supposed to.

"CLEAN...BRITE...TIGHT"

Rick

Incorrect solenoid will cause that problem. The older fords used a ground type 3 wire solenoid and if you have a newer 4 wire it will do just as it is for you. Since it will spin over but jumping the big posts on the solenoid you know that from there froward is just fine so it has to be the solenoid or the wiring form it back to the battery. So you have the wrong solenoid or a bad wire or switch

Your tractor needs a 4 post relay but you must get the correct one for it to work.

Answer the questions Dean asked and we can help you figure it out.

Place "wiring diagram 1964 ford 4000" in the search engine, may help.

It has a 5 speed transmission. The transmission is configured in a way that the gear shift pressed all the way down is 4 and 5, in the middle it"s 1 and 2 and all the way up is 3rd and reverse. Original starter wiring. I did install a 6 volt solenoid.

Rick,

I tried to cross the screw terminal and nothing happened. I tried it in several different spots where there's no paint.

Tom

John,

Where is this relay? Is it the black wire junction located by the voltage regulator?

Tom

Get a I&T Shop Manual #FO-20, not worth much but does have a wiring diagram in the back and some information. I"m not one of the experts, I would test each wire between the battery and starter with an olm meter to make sure they are good. I would test the ignition switch to make sure it is good. When I say test, I mean disconnect the battery and each wire/component and test separately, and as mentioned, clean all connections. My Ford tractor shop manual suggests: "Starting Relay Control Switch Faulty" or "Starter Relay Inoperative" or "Excessive Circuit Resistance". Maybe one of the others will come back with help, good luck.
Warren