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Push button starter switch

D

Dieselrider

Member
I installed one of these on my JD Gator. Problem is, I am on my 4th one now and they just don't seem to hold up. They are no doubt the cheaper "made in China" variety that everyone is selling. Pulled one apart tonight and as I suspected, the terminals are corroded and dirty from not always making good contact. No way to clean and reassemble the switch.

Question:Is there a make of switch that will for certain hold up and last for years rather than months? Getting 3-6 months out of these El cheapo ones. I know that many older tractors had these push button starter switches and I just can't imagine that they didn't hold up better. Thanks
 
I go to NAPA for mine. they have a rubber cap on the button,the body/case is brass. They last for years,if fact I've never had one go bad. They are better than the factory OEm push button on my '06/'56 tractors. Just put one on my 400 this fall.
 
I put a remote starter switch in my E350 for emergency roadside repair. Was getting power to ign switch but no crank when I turned the key. Auto parts store sold me the starter switch and I wired it to starter and on my way. That was over 2 years ago, never got around to diagnosing the problem but on the plus side it's a good anti-theft device. But there's really no provision for attaching this permanently--meant to be used as hand-held tool. I just keep it out of the way between the two front seats.
 
Like Delta said Napa has good electrical stuff. You can't go too wrong there. Another source is a marine electrical supply on the net. I forget what site I went to now but I got a couple of weatherproof switches from a marine site and they have been flawless so far. They weren't cheap but they last and they have a good solid feel when I use them.
 
I have had the best luck with NAPA ones but even they do not last as long as the older switches did. I think the quality of the contacts are not as good. I wonder if they are not as good because of manufacturing changes in the material the contacts are made out of??
 
If it's getting dirt/water in it, it will either need to be a sealed switch, relocated to a cleaner area, or both.

A marine switch is more suited for exposure to the elements. Get one with the rubber cover, seal the back side with silicone after the wires are connected should protect it.
 
Maybe you could wire it up so that the button energizes a relay or a solenoid that would power the starter.It would remove the amp load from the button switch.Mark.
 
NOT understanding the WHAT or WHY of what you are doing.

How was it set up originally, and why are you trying to "improve" on the original design?
 
Mark I know the latter Gators did just this, feed a relay with the small button. I am thinking maybe someone took the relay out of his circuit but certainly would be worth the effort and solve the problem more than likely.
 
You "can't imagine" the old push buttons having problems, but you'd be wrong.

Even the good old "made in usa" ones from back in the day didn't hold up. Why do you think they started putting solenoids on starters in the 1950's?

The one on our M was such a pain that my dad got rid of the button and put a solenoid on the starter. The solenoids would last 10 times longer than the buttons, but now that it's 12V it hasn't burned up a solenoid, ever.
 
Never had problems with them Don't think the one on the 41 H was changed from when it was gotten in 49 till traded off in 84, Think my 44 Ford might still have orignal.
 
Surplus center, Lincoln NE. Water proof push button switch. 35 amp. #11-3293. $5.70. Really should be wired with a solenoid. #11-3517. $5.95. They will ship right to you. BOB
 
I have always thought the reason they put solenoids on things was to get more juice to the points when starting and not having to compete with the starter for that limited resource. Hmmmmm,,,,, gm
 
Hello dieselrider,

It would help having a wiring diagram. Not very complicated system at all!
It would eliminate guessing, at least on my part,

Guido.
 
I think the reason was to just use a short heavy cable and a very light wire for the power to solenoid
 
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