International 254 no crank

victorygarden · Oct 24, 2020

Hello,
We are having an issue with my diesel 254. My dad is convinced that the key was stuck in the start position and burned out the starter. i am not convinced that is the problem. When you turn the key the dashboard lights up and you hear a click. But when you move the key to the start position, you get nothing. The tractor has been working up to this point fine. Yes the tractor is in Neutral for both shifting and speed. I have been reading about hidden safety switches that may be causing the issue. Suggestions?
Thank you ahead of time everyone!

Janicholson · Oct 24, 2020

If when the start position is turned to, the dash lights go out, the connections have a probability of corrosion. If the dash lights dim down, and if the headlights were on at that time they
also dim down, it could be a failed battery, or a failed starter. Using jumper cables (real, not tiny booster cables) with the tractor in neutral and brakes locked, touch the non grounded
cable to the solenoid lead going into the starter. If the starter spins like crazy, but does not turn the engine (it should not turn the engine) at least you know it is not the starter motor
itself. If it does not spin the starter is at fault. Jim

victorygarden · Oct 24, 2020

(reply to post at 09:23:35 10/24/20)

Thank you for the suggestion. I will give it a try today and let you know!

JimB2 · Oct 24, 2020

Does your tractor have a clutch safety switch on it, the purpose is to make sure the clutch is depressed before the starter will engage.
Look for a round switch with a center plunger activator and 2 wires connected, some switches were place when the clutch lever was home position it held the switch open, others the clutch lever had to be fully
depressed to make contact with the switch. These switches were a common failure and as a TEMPARARY TEST make sure transmission is in NEUTRAL and CLUTCH depressed, connect the 2 wires together on the switch and
try the to start the tractor.

DO NOT LEAVE THE SWITCH BYPASSED AS THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE.

victorygarden · Oct 24, 2020

(reply to post at 10:14:41 10/24/20)

That is a great suggestion. I will take a look at that today as well. Thank you for the idea! And yes, I always take safety seriously. I appreciate the knowledge

Centerplate · Oct 24, 2020

(quoted from post at 09:23:35 10/24/20) If when the start position is turned to, the dash lights go out, the connections have a probability of corrosion. If the dash lights dim down, and if the headlights were on at that time they
also dim down, it could be a failed battery, or a failed starter. Using jumper cables (real, not tiny booster cables) with the tractor in neutral and brakes locked, touch the non grounded
cable to the solenoid lead going into the starter. If the starter spins like crazy, but does not turn the engine (it should not turn the engine) at least you know it is not the starter motor
itself. If it does not spin the starter is at fault. Jim

Victory,
Use a test light and check if you have power to the key switch.
Then check if you have power to the out side of the key switch when you turn the key.
Next, check if you have power to a clutch safety switch. It might be in line before the key switch, some vehicles have a safety switch to make sure the shifter is in neutral. Then you should have power to the start terminal on the starter, again tested with the test light.
Good luck with it.
Tell us what you find.

derwen1959 · Oct 24, 2020

Have you checked battery and ground connections
Also it is possible the battery has died from over
charging or old age or just give up

International 254 no crank

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