Ford 1710 tractor starting problem part 2

[Francis Kingz]

Hi,

I had asked a previous question about a starting problem with my Ford 1710 tractor. At that time the tractor was cranking but not starting. I used the helpful advise I got on here to fix the problem but I now have a new problem.

As of last week I had the tractor starting and running fine. I then made the mistake of disconnecting all of the electrical connections I could easily see and cleaning them with brake cleaner and wd40. Now the tractor will not crank at all.

Battery connections are good. Bought new cables. Preheat glows. Battery is fully charged but nothing happens when I turn the key. Dashboard lights, headlights and gauges not working either but they haven't been for awhile.

Is there something simple like a fuse I could have popped somewhere?

Any suggestions where I should start looking to try to solve this problem.

Thank you very much. Appreciate any help. New to working on tractors.

 

[dqdave1]

I would retrace all wires I removed; making sure I had the schematic with me to verify everything is hooked up coorectly. Check to see if you have a fuse by the starter motor. Main fuse located there. With a volt meter, do you have power to the starter switch? Just a few ideas to start with.

 

[Francis Kingz]

Thanks for the reply.

Don't mean to ask a stupid question but what would the main fuse by the starter look like? General idea.

 

[BG4985]

IMHO.....Im going to bet it is not going to be a fuse... if it was running before you took the wires off and cleaned them, then nothing at all (not a single click/pop), im thinking one of the wire connections is not in the same spot as it was before you cleaned them, or now not making a connection....spend a little time where your mix up was most likely to occur and see if you can spot it. It would be like trying to troubleshoot your mags and feed ramp to see why your AR is now double feeding when the spent case is still in the chamber. If you still want to check fuses though...On my 1700 all the fuses are in front of the drivers left knee, take off the two screws holding the plate and youll see all of them.

 

[dqdave1]

your unit should have a fusible link right by the starter solenoid. Check it.

 

[Francis Kingz]

Thanks for all the help. Tractor started to start up again all on its own. Never got a chance to try anything. When I get a free day I am going to take my time and look everything over real close to see if I can figure it out.

Still don't have headlights and or the two red lights in the tach or the temperature gauge. They occasionally come on on their own. But at least it is running, for now.

Thanks again.

 

[djradz]

As your problem appears to be intermittent, I'd start looking at things that make and break contact. Items like switches (starter/on/off switch for sure), and anything else that your tractor has for safety. Not sure about the 1710, but I seem to recall my 1720 had a PTO safety switch and a neutral safety switch. Also, I'd check relays, including the starter solenoid. The problem with the lights could be related, or not. That could be a fuse, or somebody messed with the wiring (or rodent damage), or again, maybe the starter/on/off switch.

Good luck. I'd suggest you get this figured out before you start to use the tractor any distance away. Not much fun working on equipment in the field or woods, especially this time of year.

 

[jinman]

Francis, using brake cleaner and WD40 is not the best choice for electrical contact/connector cleaning. Either of those may contribute to poor connections and may even have some interaction to cause corrosion. The best cleaner for electrical connections is contact cleaner like this from Amazon.

Look on the left side of your steering wheel on the vertical face below the instrument panel. There should be a rectangular cover easily removable with a couple of screws. There are two fuses behind the cover. Check those fuses to make sure one is not blown.

 

[Francis Kingz]

Thanks for all the help.

Not really good at working on machines but am going to give it shot. Found basic wiring diagram online. I will be spending my next day off taking things apart and checking connections. I won't be using any WD-40 again.

Tractor had spoiled me with 2 years of trouble free operation. Bought it from a widow. It had been sitting outside uncovered for 3 years. Bushes growing up through it. Replaced battery and it started right up. Got kind of spoiled until now.

It is for sure worth the effort getting it going again. Solid little tractor. Probably outlive me.

 

[Soundguy]

crc makes a good contact cleaner

soundguy

 

[Carl1710]

Hi,
Just joined the site. I to have an 85 1710 and had same problem when helping a neighbor. I had to get it to our property so I jumped the starter with a screw driver taking a chance of shorting out the solenoid, however I did get it started and drove home. Found out the neutral reed switch connection was faulty so I jumped it and by passed the seat switch and it started once with the key so I traced the wires to the safety relay, tapped it, turned the key and it fired up. I replaced the wiring from the reed switch in the tranny and all wires to the 4 connections on the safety relay and the relay, I have not had a problem since. I used marine grade wires and soldered connections and purchased a bosh type 20 -30 amp relay from local auto parts to replace the safety relay.

 

[jimmysisson]

Good on you for a helpful first post. And welcome!
Jim

 

[Carl1710]

Hi everyone,
You guys helped me with my pto problem and I really appreciate it. Now I still have a starting problem. It will not start with the key although glow plugs warm up ok and battery charges in on position. I replaced the safety relay thinking that was it and I don't think the solenoid is the problem because it starts when I jump it with a screw driver.I am going to remove the dash and ohm out the switch to the starter connection. Also checked the neutral reed switch and it ohms out ok. Any ideas?.

 

[Soundguy]

Use a test lamp, follow the volts. see if you have power at the key switch start terminal, if yes, move down the wire to the next connection, then next, etc.

 

[Carl1710]

Sounds great, I will do that.
Thanks.

 

[Soundguy]

Keep us posted

 

[Carl1710]

Hi everyone,
Update on the starting problem, went ahead and followed all wires and changed whatever looked questionable still no go so I jumped the starter switch at the switch and it started once and never again so I'm back to the screw driver at the solenoid. Anyway have a more pressing issue.
Installed a new radiator today. Seconds after startup noticed pressure build-up and gushing out the vent. I took the thermostat out and fired up the tractor with cap removed and coolant flew straight up. Now smoking and runs rough. Got a feeling the head gasket or head is cracked also knocks louder than before maybe a valve too.
The tractor is an hour and half away so it's hard for me to work on it. I will begin back this week to remove the head and inspect it.
Any ideas?

 

[Soundguy]

you won't know much till you get it to where you can work on it.

 

[Carl1710]

Hi everyone,
Took the head off and found the head gasket was torn passing compression to cooling port. Also noticed #1 cylinder had something beating the head and had found its way out the exhaust. The piston looks good although I did found to large metal chunks blocking coolant port held only in place by the head gasket, must have been part of the casting. Good news, head is not cracked but having it shaved and valves + seats
done because compression test came back 130, 130 and 100psi. When taking the Prechamber out I noticed one of them was missing the lower seal gasket.
Waiting on valve seals from Jessica to assemble the head.
I would like to clean the injectors before install, any ideas?.

 

[Carl1710]

Head back on, I adjusted the valve clearance, and fired it up on first cranck over.
Very happy how it all turn out. New solid extra row aluminum radiator, hoses and radiator cap.
Looks and runs great. Now I'm going to work on the pto hopefully get that working real good.