CG2610 won't start, stater just spins

Bolens1886 · Oct 31, 2011

Well all of course it happens at the worst time! 12" of wet heavy snow. Hit the key let the golw's heat up and it engaged the starter turning the engine over\, didn't start (typical first try). turned the key off waited a min. and tried again, this time the starter motor just spins at high speed. Any ideas??? Tractor only has 118 hr on it.

Egon · Oct 31, 2011

The solenoid may not be engaging properly?

This may be due to the suddenly colder weather and grease getting more viscous.

Give the starter a gentle tap or two.

Or, cover with a tarp and apply heat. [small electric heater?]

ray66v · Oct 31, 2011

First, jump it while cranking it, to help determine if it is a voltage issue.

Second, have someone tap on the starter with a hammer, while cranking, this could determine if the bendix is stuck.

If either of those work, let me know, we can go from there.

Bolens1886 · Oct 31, 2011

I put the battery on the charger last night. It sits in an non-heated shed so I can use my magnetic Watts heater right on the starter. The manual didn't show it to be a standard bendix design, but if it is it is like the old chevy's when the solenoid goes or gets sticky. I will give all that has been stated a try.

ray66v · Oct 31, 2011

Modern starters don't use the old Chevy design, but defective parts can cause it to stick.

After try testing by jumping it, check all the power connections to see they are tight. And, also check the ground strap between the engine and the frame. One member had a problem with his.

Wacky · Nov 1, 2011

He stated" the engine is turning over" sounds like it is not igniting.
Does the red lights on the dash dim slightly when you warm the glow plugs? How long are you warming them? Did you try longer?
Do you hear the fuel pump running? Is there water in the fuel filter? Is there fuel getting to the injectors? Maybe lost its prime for some reason?
OOPS I misread your post. Sorry.

irvingj · Nov 2, 2011

Doesn't sound as though it's a ground strap (but still good idea to check that anyway), since OP stated the starter (now) just spins at high speed. Mine wouldn't do a thing when the strap broke.

Does sound like the starter's pinion gear isn't travelling outward to engage the flywheel teeth.

Warm it up & try again.

ray66v · Nov 2, 2011

irvingj said:
Doesn't sound as though it's a ground strap (but still good idea to check that anyway), since OP stated the starter (now) just spins at high speed. Mine wouldn't do a thing when the strap broke.

Does sound like the starter's pinion gear isn't travelling outward to engage the flywheel teeth.

Warm it up & try again.

If the ground connection has gone bad, but not fully failed, or any of the other connections are bad, you can get a situation where the starter is not be able to pull enough amps to get up to full speed.

This could cause the type of symptoms he is describing. The starter is going to sound like it is spinning fast, because there is no load on it.

This type of a failure is unlikely on a machine this new, but you need to rule things out.

The battery is still the first suspect.

Bolens1886 · Nov 4, 2011

Been without power so haven't had much of a chance to deal with this issue. Hope to dig into it tomorrow. Power came on last night so put battery charger on it. Yes, it sound lke the starter motor is running unloaded and it is not engaging the ring gear on the engine. My first guess was that the bendix was hung up somehow, but didn't think it should have a issue with so few hours. The lights on the dash have never dimmed when heating the glowplugs. Of course there is no indicator for the glowplugs on the 2610, think I'm going to add one soon. Another option I'm thinking is to put a timer circuit on it to turn on a light at 45 to 60 seconds so that one is sure that the glows are hot. The fuel pump is clicking away as normal. As for fuel issues, good question had a half a tank and it started just fine about two and a half weeks ago.

Bolens1886 · Nov 5, 2011

Well, it's not the battery, not solenoid, not the ground strap...now for the bad news...the internal gear (made of nylon) that the planet gears engage from the starter motor. Not a great design as far as I'm concerened as it is the weak link and where all the torque is developed to engage the ring gear.