ford 1900 turn key and all it does is thump once

[6sunset6]

Make sure the battery ground cable has a tight clean connection to the frame and the terminal connections are clean and tight . check the lugs on the ends. Make sure they are tight and don't wiggle on the cable.

 

[jimmysisson]

So are you saying the engine won't turn with the starter at all? If that's the case maybe the starter drive is kicking in (the thump) but the motor doesn't have the oomph to turn the engine? Weak battery, poor connections you've done. (Right?) Absent a mechanical change in the engine, the starter seems the best line of attack. Any report of its condition?
Jim

 

[jameshust]

well, i heard the sweetest sound today. I still can't beleive she still runs so well. thanks again for all your help.

 

[dqdave1]

So what was the problem?

 

[jameshust]

well, to be honest I am not sure.. For starters it felt as if the starter wasn't staying engaged. so I had that tested. The guy at napa said it was shot. so i went to new holland to see if the starter was under warranty. they tested it and said everything was fine. I put the starter back on the tractor. I flushed out the engine with diesel to get out any water, cleaned all the glow plugs. cleaned all the connections and grounding, barred the flywheel, then crossed my fingers ( seriously). it just worked past the thump noise it was previously making. I have started it a few more times after that, all with no hesitation.
so, maybe the starter, connections just needed some deserved attention. I m not sure

 

[jimmysisson]

Sounds like you cleaned a few wire connectors that needed it. Not simple, but cheap!
Jim

 

[ComputerGuy]

I had a similar problem with a Ford 1910. I thought the start was going bad. I tried it again on a cloudy day, and I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Got a helper to try starting it while I watched the starter, and saw a shower of sparks leaping from the battery cable connection to the starter. Tightened the connection, and now it cranks just fine!