Case 430 Starting Problems

Bigmakattak · Aug 16, 2010

I am not an experienced mechanic, but trying to learn more about my newly acquired Case 430 diesel (1967). I get a clicking sound when trying to start it. Sometimes it turns over and starts, but it mostly clicks. Dusted off the old dwell/tach/amp meter and checked a few things. There are 12 plus volts on the batteries (2-6 volts in series) and 12 plus volts on the wire from the key to the starter solenoid. A friend said it is probably the solenoid.So next is the solenoid and relay. I don"t understand how the relay (mounted on the side of the motor) and starter solenoid (on the starter) are interconnected and how they work. Can they be tested?

Thanks for any help offered.

Bill in NJ · Aug 16, 2010

The solenoid on the side of the engine transfers the high amperage battery voltage to the starter. The solenoid on the starter kicks the starter gear forward to engage the flywheel and at the same time starts the starter motor turning. Your problem could be one or more of the following. It sounds to me like you either don"t have enough amperage in the battery or more likely the solenoid on the engine is not transferring the amperage to the starter. Push and hold the starter button. With the starter button pushed, check for voltage at both sides of the solenoid. If you have voltage to only one side the contact in the solenoid is bad. New solenoid needed. If you havew voltage to both sides I would point the finger at the solenoid on the starter. Lastly, there is a possibility that the starter gear is engaged in the flywheel. If so, loosen the starter mounting bolts. That would release the gear if it is stuck forward. Tighten the starter bolts and try to start the engine.

Bill in NJ · Aug 16, 2010

One other thing I thought of. Six volt batteries are notorious for being very senstive to flaky battery connections. Remove all of the battery connections and clean teh battery posts and the connectors. Put them back on and be sure they are snug.

Keith Molden · Aug 16, 2010

I'm not familar with the Case diesel, but my ford 800 series diesel has a ford type solenoid mounted on the engine for the manifold preheater (glow plugs) & that may be what you have on the engine block. I can't see a need for 2 solenoids for the starter as they both do the same thing (deliver power to the starter for starting then to the rest of the electrical system after the engine is started. My guess would be, if all your connections are good & tight and without corrosion, your starter solenoid has a burned place on it. You can take it apart & turn the disc inside over or replace the complete solenoid. You can jump the hot lead from the battery where it connects to the solenoid with one of the small wires on the solenoid & see if this makes the starter crank the engine. If it does, replace the solenoid. Just my thoughts, Keith

mEl · Aug 16, 2010

The 430 tractor does not come equipped with an intermediate starter solenoid. The small solenoid on the 430 is for the manifold heater, a heavy wound wire that gets red hot after a few seconds of 12V being applied that warms the manifold air, that is why the left side cable goes up and out of sight. If the starter just clicks and doesn't run probably the solenoid is failed but bad brushes and springs can cause a similar symptom. If the starter motor runs but does not kick in, the drive on the armature probably is at fault. If originality is not a concern I would replace the Delco with a Nippondenso gear reduction type off a 580 D series backhoe/loader. A relay should be added to kick that in but then you have a real potent starting combination. mEl

Bigmakattak · Aug 16, 2010

Thanks for all of the tips. I want to try the ideas now but the tractor is 100 miles away from where I live. Maybe next weekend.

The manifold heater idea makes sense to me because the large wire from the small solenoid mounted on the side of the motor goes up and terminates on the top of the motor. I did not pull the hood, I just felt where it terminated.
Several buttons on the dash board of this tractor are missing so one of those missing could have been a preheat button.

Thanks again.

Bigmakattak

Bigmakattak · Aug 16, 2010

Forgot to mention... Good thought on the battery cables. I did checked all battery cables and replaced the crossover cable between the two batteries and the power cable to the solenoid. A local store made them. In the picture you can see on the power cable where the shrink wrap came loose. It doesn't look too good but it is a new cable with a tight crimp and I will need to seal it up.

The remaining ground cable was replaced last year. I cleaned all the battery posts. Batteries were new last year too.

Thanks,

Bigmakattak

Bigmakattak · Aug 21, 2010

I wasn"t able to get to the tractor yet. Probably next week. Was wondering if the solenoid on the actual starter is the suspect could I cross the two large studs on the solenoid (power cable stud and stud to the starter unit) with a plastic handled screw driver while turning the key? Is that how you would by pass the solenoid that is mounted on the starter?

Case 430 Starting Problems

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Bill in NJ

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