Massey 1526 won't start

[bruinruin]

I mean, it won't even turn over. It's like there's a safety switch that has failed. I've messed with the neutral switch and can hear what sounds like a contactor clicking when I play with the selector while holding the key to the starter position, leading me to think that the switch is working.

Operating the key to start as usual, I hear the clicking of the fuel pump, the glow plug light comes on and I get a single click that sounds like a contactor/solenoid, but no starter.

I pulled the starter so I could spin it just in case there was a bad spot on the armature, but after reinstalling it, nothing changed.

I'm a fairly handy guy and lifelong tradesman, but tractors aren't my specialty, especially when I have to work on it out in the snow, which is piling up and making me worry. I have to get this tractor running, so any tips or suggestions on commonly failing components would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

 

[Dmacleo]

you check seat switch and pto switch?

 

[bruinruin]

you check seat switch and pto switch?

As much as I can. I don't know if the seat switch is a normally closed or normally open type, but I did operate the switch back and forth manually while turning the key, and it made no difference.

 

[JWR]

I have that "clicking but won't turn" disease with a Kubota BX2200. Not even in super cold. Many smaller tractors have an issue where the sequence of wire to the starter solenoid runs through so many safety interlocks, etc. that it is often deficient and not a good 12v by the time it gets to the primary side of the solenoid. Sorry to hear you pulled the starter! Have you tried putting a battery charger on it with a good heavy charging current for an hour or so ? [regardless of whether the battery is "good" or not.] Some chargers have the "100 amp plus" starter setting that one can use for a few moment too. I'd try that (which gets a little more voltage to the solenoid) and see if the starter turns. Of course everyone will point to cleaning and retightening the cables at BOTH ends and all that which with your background I assume you already did.

 

[Dmacleo]

really need voltmeter of starter while trying.
can mess with safety switches all day yet w/o knowing if starter had correct volts/amps its all just a guessing game.
you could have a bad switch OR a bad starter, listening for clicks will not help you and could waste money.

 

[lpakiz]

Put it in NEUTRAL, then jump the solenoid. That bypasses EVERYTHING, including the ignition switch.
Put it in Neutral!!!!

 

[JWR]

Put it in NEUTRAL, then jump the solenoid. That bypasses EVERYTHING, including the ignition switch.
Put it in Neutral!!!!

...and have the switch ON.

 

[bruinruin]

Put it in NEUTRAL, then jump the solenoid. That bypasses EVERYTHING, including the ignition switch.
Put it in Neutral!!!!

There are no exposed solenoid terminals on this tractor. The solenoid is attached to the starter and enclosed, unless I'm completely lost.

 

[JWR]

There are no exposed solenoid terminals on this tractor. The solenoid is attached to the starter and enclosed, unless I'm completely lost.

Digging into wiring harnesses is always fun. Surely there is a small gauge wire in the harness leading to the solenoid that normally should get 12v and trigger the solenoid in response to the key being turned to Start. If all that is encapsulated where you can't get to it ... hmmm I don't know. Anyway try the battery charger (which puts 13.8v or so on the cables) and see if it will trigger the solenoid and turn the engine then.

 

[lpakiz]

A way to approach this might be to follow the big battery cable going to the starter. Is that connection exposed?
Could you get a pic for us?

 

[irvingj]

Not sure about a 1526, but late GC2300 series had an issue with ground cables breaking. You might want to check that -- symptoms are the same. All dash lights, etc but no crank. Seat switch on my GC is NC, BTW.

 

[bruinruin]

Thanks to you all for the ideas and suggestions. I had hoped to work on it last evening, but after working 11 hours in the cold and getting home later than usual, the best I could do was to get a charger on the battery, just incase this machine is voltage sensitive. When I put a meter on the battery Sunday, it seemed fine at nearly 13 volts, but the charger can't hurt. Supposed to be even colder today, so I'm not sure if I'll work on it this evening, either.

 

[5030]

Ever bother to load test the battery? Always start with the easiest and most acessable components. Just because the battery shows 14+ volts static don't mean squat. Load test it with a carbon pile resistance tester first, the clean the terminals and clamps as well as the negative chassis ground and then proceed.

 

[bruinruin]

I put a charger on it overnight and was able to start it this evening, so it looks like the simplest answer might be the correct one. Thank you very much to all the guys who chimed in with suggestions. It was those suggestions that grounded me and helped me with troubleshooting.

I feel stuck in the past, when a weak battery would give you a clattering solenoid or a weak response from the starter.

 

[JWR]

I put a charger on it overnight and was able to start it this evening, so it looks like the simplest answer might be the correct one. Thank you very much to all the guys who chimed in with suggestions. It was those suggestions that grounded me and helped me with troubleshooting.

I feel stuck in the past, when a weak battery would give you a clattering solenoid or a weak response from the starter.

Glad it started for you AND hope it was just a weak battery. It is still possible (unless you are able to start it over the next few days, etc.) that you have one of those "insufficient voltage at the solenoid" cases which might have been solved by using the 13.8 or so volts from your charger. Was the starter connected when you finally started the tractor? If not then you just had a weak battery. If the starter WAS still connected it might be the "insufficient voltage at the solenoid" thing.

 

[Dmacleo]

Was the starter connected when you finally started the tractor? If not then you just had a weak battery. If the starter WAS still connected it might be the "insufficient voltage at the solenoid" thing.

suspect you mean CHARGER there.

 

[JWR]

suspect you mean CHARGER there.

YES ! Of course I meant CHARGER not starter. Senile, old, forgetful who knows what else !