Re: My tractor broke down...again!

Posted by RAB on May 04, 2006 at 14:19:42 from (195.93.21.6):

In Reply to: My tractor broke down...again! posted by Christos on May 04, 2006 at 09:07:21:

Christos,
Just a few comments which may help in the long run.
If you keep draining your battery (even a premium grade), it will soon be scrap or badly impaired. They are designed for high amp output for starting and very litle else, need recharging soon after the starting sequence. Normal running electric should be available from the generator with only short term defficiences in the battery charge level.

Your problems seem to be in the main feed from the battery to the starter motor or in the earth return to the battery connection, and in the charge circuit.
Unless you are very unlucky, most of the faults will converge on one point in the circuit which is common to both starting and charging sections.
If you are unable, for any reason, to get it sorted yourself, get it fixed by an expert before more damage occurs.

It seems to me that poor servicing previously is likely to have caused minor problems to build up into a really big problem now.
If each problem is diagnosed and fixed properly so that it does not re-occur, then any electrical or running problems on an old tractor like yours are relatively simple to diagnose and fix.

You said "acts like it not getting any juice".
If it acts like it, it probably isn"t getting any; check it out so you are certain by checking voltage drops across components or connectors as appropriate, then you will know for certain what and where the problem is - ie you will be able to fix it!

Your surging problem could be sediment but could be a blocked vent in the cap or a vapour-locked fuel line. If on checking the carb filter you find it clogged, the problem is before the filter - the filter is working as designed. If it is not clogged, it does not mean there is no problem upstream. Possibility problem could be electrical, but not enough information/diagnosis to be 100% sure of anything.

If your usual solution is to "jiggle a wire", it is not surprising problems are mounting up. Diagnosis may include "jiggling" but this does not fix it! Checking voltage drops with a voltmeter is a much more scientific method of fault-finding and will give proper results if done in the correct order (if two or more connections are "dodgy", jiggling will only indicate a "fix" when all are making good connections.

Electrics on these old tractors is basically simple. No complications of computer connections and tranducers shutting down parts or all of the systems.
Just simple. Starter circuit. Charge circuit. Lighting circuit. Ignition circuit. I think that is about all there is.

The Alternator fix? The answer is NO! Well not unless all your issues are with the dynamo and voltage regulator. That may simply need a sensible diagnosis to find the fault, then fix it.
Your issues are patently not simply with the charge circuit - a fully(?) charged battery would start and run the tractor until it became discharged!

My advice. Get an expert to fix it properly. Sorry if that is too blunt, but there it is. If you are driven to your wits end by these little issues, get them fixed by someone who will not be at their wits end - an expert who has the diagnosis tools available and can use them efficiently.
Regards, RAB

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