855 can't get starter to go

Brian_Stephens · Sep 6, 2008

the wife says she was having problems getting it to start so she was boosting it and it would start.. I figure a battery is no problem.... I get home fire it up a couple times no problem... try again and no action...

try again no action.. The battery is low... just under 12 volts.. after charging so I get a new one... The battery cables are horribly corroded so I get new cables too...

But now I turn the key and still nada... no action on the solenoid none on the starter....

How do I test the starter??. The key switch seems fine.. I get a different lights in the different positions...

What else is in the start circuit? is there a brake switch or a seat switch that may have gone TU?

I have a good manual somewhere but of course I can't lay my hands on it may have to buy another...

Any ideas would be appreciated...

Brian_Stephens · Sep 7, 2008

Tractor has been creeping after you press the brake (not coming out of gear?) not the less it will no start when in gear... so Pressing the brake and away she goes...

Havoctec · Sep 8, 2008

Your last measage does not make sense. Are you saying that it will start as long as you push on t he brake?

crashz · Sep 8, 2008

I think he means that if the hydro pedals are slightly out of adjustment, and it creeps when it should not be moving, then press the brake and it should start.

Yours should have a seat switch and PTO switch that won't allow you to start the tractor without sitting in the seat with the PTO disengaged. Mine has a gear shift switch that won't allow the tractor to be started in gear either, but with your hydro, I'm not sure what you'd have. Maybe it has something to do with the hydro pedals. Maybe you can give them a wiggle with your foot while starting.

So if turn the key to run, lights come on and they do not dim when you advance the key to the start position, then its most likely one of those safety switches.

Good Luck!

slahey · Sep 9, 2008

I had similar problem with my old 212, fiddled with it for a month checking solenoid, relay, and starter switch. Finally grabbed the new positive battery cable and wiggled it. Motor started to turnover! Pulled on the cable and it came out of the clamp. The insulation was all the way to the end of the wire! I stripped it back 1/4", drilled a smaller hole in the first hole, and shoved it in. Then center punched the outside of the clamp to hold it tight. Guess where the battery cable was made?

Good website!

Brian_Stephens · Sep 9, 2008

To clarify....
After I discovered the solution to my woes, a couple of folks on another forum piped up and explained what causes the problem... Strange how a bunch of shooters up here in Canada seem to know about tractors too!.

The NSS (neutral starting switch) was not engaged becuase the forward pedal is out of alignment slightly (it's also causing the creep) so once I stepped on the brake the it reset the pedal the 16th of an inch and she starts....

I will crawl under it and lube up the rods and adjust the forward pedal back a 1/4 turn and see if that solves me problem....

lhk531 · Jul 23, 2010

I also had problems starting, and found the neg wire from battery was lose on the engine block. I also had a bad solenoid found a web site to order new starter for $90.00 verses over 200 for one from john deer

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