1980 Ford 555 won't start

[oldyellowford]

Hi all,

Noob here. Acquired a 1980 Ford 555 from a neighbor a couple years ago and it had been running fine since. Parked it in late Nov 2012 and went to start it a couple weeks later and nothing, panel lights lit for a second and went out, won't come back on. Battery is fine- fairly new, there is power at the starter/ solenoid. Can't tell if it is neutral as the fwd/ neutral/ rev lever seems to be bound up. Linkage looks fine but it won't shift even with rear wheels off the ground (they both spin freely, just in the opposite direction of the one you are pushing). Any thoughts? Appreciate any help, thanks!

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome:

 

[ThomasH]

That is almost certainly due to a bad battery cable or cable connection. Check your cable connections first, including the other end connections to the starter and frame.

 

[joecdeere]

sure sounds like a bad ground

 

[Soots]

So tunes to me like you have two different problems. First, panel lights, a blown fuze . Second, three shift lever IS stuck in gear and starter is not. Strong enough to start it while in gear . The fact that when jacked up the wheels turn opposite. Or bad ground. Try to get Into neutral.

 

[oldyellowford]

Thanks for the advice all, will check the cables from start to finish tomorrow. As I recall the ground cable wasn't in the greatest shape... Might be pulling the fuel tank too, seems we're leaking diesel.

 

[don45640]

Don't know if this helps or not,but MY backhoe won't actuate the starter unless the shifter is in neutral(you say yours is stuck?),but I bypassed that feature. don-ohio

 

[oldyellowford]

Sorry I haven't updated, been under the weather... It certainly seems to be an issue in the wiring as I've found we have no power at the ignition switch... I have two wires to check in the start circuit that would most likely be the culprit. Pretty sure it's the battery to switch wire, if not it's somewhere between the solenoid and switch. Will let ya know when it stops raining. If those don't work I'll be trying your suggestion Don! Thanks again!

 

[don45640]

Right! Been sick myself...just barely made it thru the 6days-12 hr. shifts(they call it `**** week',LOL! Now I'm off `til Mon AM,but still sick.Hope you find the problem and let us know when you do,Man! don-ohio ^)

 

[jimmysisson]

Rear differential requires wheels to spin opposite wen unloaded. Perfectly normal. If you brake or block one and rock the other you might be able to free up the shifter(s). Two people for that job.
Your neutral safety may be preventing starter engagement. Don't recommend disabling that feature - it has saved many a guy in a rush. I suppose you could disable it just for a test, if both rear tires were blocked up safely off the ground. Then reattach the wires immediately.
Once your shifters are freed you can analyze any other problems. Be safe.
Jim

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 1998 555E, so this might not apply, but if the forward/reverse lever on the steering column goes out, you have to replace it to get it to start. They wear out with use and over time.

Can you jump it at the starter and get the starter to engage?

You need to follow the path of power to find out where it ends. If the battery is good with the key off and on, then it's not grounding out. Follow the cable from the battery and make sure you have power at every connection before and after.

On my dozer, there was a small regulator on the side of the block that went out that gave me fits just finding it.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[don45640]

No,that's true,what Jimmy said(don't disable your neutral starter switch)....I disabled mine because I always start the machine in neutral and the shuttle clutch lever is locked by a plate in neutral position. don-ohio

 

[oldyellowford]

Sorry, I've been out with flu/ pneumonia for the last few weeks. Finally got her started- it was the power wire to the ignition switch. Not sure what happened to it, need to pull the fuel tank and rewire/ patch leak in tank, but she started with bypassing the faulty wire Thanks for the advice!

 

[don45640]

Glad you posted back,Old yellow! Glad you got èr fixed! don-ohio:thumbsup: