I have read quite a bit on TBN about a fairly common problem on the 50 series Deere tractors (750, 850, 950, 1050) - and many other tractors - of a voltage drop to the solenoid/starter due to age of wiring etc. I am near sure I have this issue with my 950 and the frustrating clunk. However, I need some guidance on how to proceed since I am not skilled in this area. Here are my questions:
1. How do I test for a voltage drop at the solenoid? From reading other posts, it seems like I take a voltage meter, dial it to 15 or 20 and put the 2 probes on the positive and negative posts of the battery for the first voltage reading. Then, I get someone to turn the key to start the tractor while I put the red probe on say the tip of the big lug/post of the solenoid?? Where do I place the negative probe? Do i unplug the wire that I think is coming from the ignition switch thru the neutral start switch - and put the negative on the tip of that wire OR do I try to place it on the lug of what I think is the negative post of the solenoid OR do I put it on the tractor frame?
Here's what I see:
There are 2 wire ends that terminate together at that big lug/post of the solenoid. I believe one is straight from the battery (thick cable) and one is from the ignition switch (includes fusible links). Does this sound right?
There is another wire that comes into the solenoid by itself. I believe that's the one that comes from the ignition and through the neutral start switch. Does that sound right? It is a very odd shaped end - it's a flat plug embedded in a fancy connector housing. Can't figure out why they wouldn't just have a post you could put a circle end/more universal connector on.
(If anyone has a wiring diagram for a 950 with a serial number over 20000, please let me know).
2. It looks like the other big lug of the solenoid tight against the engine block has a wire? inside a rubber tube that leads up into the bottom starter.
3. Does the solenoid have a negative wire somewhere?
Thanks for the insights/help!
1. How do I test for a voltage drop at the solenoid? From reading other posts, it seems like I take a voltage meter, dial it to 15 or 20 and put the 2 probes on the positive and negative posts of the battery for the first voltage reading. Then, I get someone to turn the key to start the tractor while I put the red probe on say the tip of the big lug/post of the solenoid?? Where do I place the negative probe? Do i unplug the wire that I think is coming from the ignition switch thru the neutral start switch - and put the negative on the tip of that wire OR do I try to place it on the lug of what I think is the negative post of the solenoid OR do I put it on the tractor frame?
Here's what I see:
There are 2 wire ends that terminate together at that big lug/post of the solenoid. I believe one is straight from the battery (thick cable) and one is from the ignition switch (includes fusible links). Does this sound right?
There is another wire that comes into the solenoid by itself. I believe that's the one that comes from the ignition and through the neutral start switch. Does that sound right? It is a very odd shaped end - it's a flat plug embedded in a fancy connector housing. Can't figure out why they wouldn't just have a post you could put a circle end/more universal connector on.
(If anyone has a wiring diagram for a 950 with a serial number over 20000, please let me know).
2. It looks like the other big lug of the solenoid tight against the engine block has a wire? inside a rubber tube that leads up into the bottom starter.
3. Does the solenoid have a negative wire somewhere?
Thanks for the insights/help!