Branson 2400H

[mhutchin]

After 100 hours my tractor would not start. I completed the electrical checks and determined that my starter solenoid needs replacing. However, I'm being told that the complete starter assembly needs to be replaced for $475 plus shipping.
Part number EA0003037C

The question is. do you know of a replacement for the starter or a solenoid?

 

[monkeyduster]

You might find a local independent shop that can test and rebuild it for a lot less.
Good luck!

 

[CoyPatton]

Search for gwisejr. He recently had starting issues with a different model Branson. His seemed to resolve with an attempted failed removal of his starter.
I suspect that he had a grounding issue through his starter to the bell housing where it mounted. If you find this to be the issue with yours, I suggest a ground wire from a starter mount bolt to the frame nearby. Ensure both contact bolts are free of grease, crud and paint. Remember to include these in your inspection routine for battery/starting issues.

 

[Texasmark]

I think for $475, I'd do some investigating on my own to determine just what is the problem. It could be something as simple as a seat safety switch, or not sitting in the seat properly, or another safety switch like trying to start with the PTO engaged, or what have you.

Could be you broke a wire somewhere along the interlock circuit in using the tractor.

100 hrs on a starting solenoid is wayyyyy to early to suspect a defective unit. If it was defective in mfgr, it would have shown up much earlier. I had a 2400 and never had a starting issue in the 4 years I owned it.

The starting relay (solenoid) has a 12v energizing low current wire which , with power applied with a ground applied causes the solenoid to energize. You can disconnect the energizing wires at the solenoid terminals and, with terminals or other "test" type accessories, connect power to those terminals and determine if the solenoid will close and roll the starter. If you do and it does, then one of your interlocks is open. If not then it could be a problem with the high current power connections to the starter, which includes the grounding circuit from the starter case back to battery -, or the battery itself.

If you don't know what I am talking about, do you have a neighbor with some electromechanical abilities to help you?

 

[oldnslo]

At only 100 hrs is it still under warranty?

my tractor is few hundred miles away so can’t look at it but is there one or two small wires connected to starter solenoid? If only one simple test is jumper wire from main battery terminal on starter to solenoid. This bypasses all the safety switches. Make sure tractor is in neutral before trying this.

 

[K5lwq]

I would think warranty would cover this if in fact it ends up being the solenoid. That is exactly what a warranty is for.

 

[Texasmark]

2 wire means that you have the ground applied through a transmission switch..very popular on old iron...like my Fords of the 60's and 80's. Single wire means that the solenoid case needs to be verified that it is in fact electrically connected to battery -.