1520 starting problem

[Jnasystems]

The tractor is now unresponsive. I have tried charging the battery, cleaning the terminals, checking voltages and nothing is working. I even tried a new starter and the same thing happens using the old vs new - nothing. I have 12v at the starter, and when I turn the key, I get a voltage (didn't get a good reading as I was doing it myself, but was above 10v). When I connect a starter, it turns for about half a second and then nothing at all. The old starter does the same thing. Is there a fuse or breaker that could be causing this? the lights in the dash work.

It had been working fine, then I had a really cold day and it had a real hard time running - kept turning off. It had been outside so I thought maybe something was frozen - it did eventually run just fine and I was able to plow the drive. after that I put it in the barn to keep it dry so things didn't freeze up again. when I went to restart the tractor, the starter spun, turned the engine for about 2 seconds then disengaged and free spun. I tried this several more times thinking maybe it was again just too cold. then it stopped doing anything. and that is where it is now - not doing anything. I thought for sure there was a problem with the solenoid, but I took the starter to autozone for a bench test and it is working correctly. the sprocket extends and spins just fine on the bench. also the same thing happens with a new starter from the dealer, so it has to be something else. any ideas?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[jimmysisson]

Check all 4 battery cable connections for bright-and-tight. Sometimes cables fail internally. You could try jumper cables right to the starter, assuming you can do it safely.
Jim

 

[kirkawilson]

The Ford/NH safety switches can be problematic. The best way I found to troubleshoot is to try bypassing the wiring harness completely by jump-starting from the battery post on the starter to the solenoid post on the starter, with the switch on to open the fuel solenoid, and see if that starts the tractor. If so, there is an electrical problem somewhere that can be a 'bear' to find. There are many TBN discussions on the Ford/NH wiring harness problems but I finally installed a push-button to start my 1920 and bypass the wiring harness (and safety switches).