Ford 2120 Electrical gremlins

Gwydyr · Mar 24, 2014

Hi, this is my first post here so I apologize if my inexperience shows. I have my Dad's 1992 Ford 2120 which I've taken pride in always starting. However since an abortive start attempt on a 0 degree morning which very quickly killed the battery (I know I should have had it plugged in but it was outside that night) it has started only once. After swapping the battery, the lights would come on but when I turned the key to start or to turn on the glow plugs the light would go out and there would be silence. I jumped from the battery to the solenoid and nothing. I cleaned all the electrical connections and it started so I could bring it back inside. Since then it hasn't started and has had the same symptoms. I replaced the starter relay switch and the solenoid to no avail. I've cleaned the electrical connections and fiddled with the all the wires but no luck. If I jump the solenoid I get a click in the starter relay but that's it. I'm already over my head in diesel engines and electronics, what should I test next?

Thanks for your help-Steve

kirkawilson · Mar 24, 2014

My 1998 Ford/NH 1920 continues to have starting problems too. I found help on this forum from a guy who mentioned that these Ford/NH starters need a full 12 volts to the solenoid before the starter will engage. Of course, in addition to the 12V, your battery must provide sufficient current. I suggest that you attach jumper cables or a jumpbox to your battery and then try to shunt to the solenoid from the battery. If it starts, your new battery may be weak. My problems continue to be voltage loss in the wiring harness that keeps the full 12V from the starter. Every wiring connection or splice is a loss point in the harness so I am chasing each connection trying to restore the 12V. Another option is to install a start push-button on the dash wired from the battery post on the starter to starter solenoid. But, this solution bypasses all electrical safety switches and wiring harnesses so you hafta be careful. Good luck!

kirkawilson · Mar 25, 2014

Here is a previous link discussing Ford/NH electrical starting problems.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/278208-ford-model-1920-starts-run.html

Gwydyr · Mar 25, 2014

Thanks a bunch, that makes a lot of sense. The wiring is patched together in a couple places so I'll just go through it piece by piece like you suggest. Also the battery is old so while it still holds a charge it definitely doesn't help. I'll give an update once I figure it out.

jimmysisson · Mar 25, 2014

My '93 2120 has the battery it came to me with nine years ago. I don't know the model but its a rugged unit. Keep it charged and use your block heater, but mainly get the biggest battery that fits and you should be good. Mine starts easy so the battery is lightly stressed.
Jim

Gwydyr · Jun 5, 2014

Thought I'd give an update so the next person picking through the search results has an answer. It was the battery. Although it held a decent charge, you were right that with the 20 series its all or nothing for voltage when starting. I got a new commercial battery and it started up on the first try.

trmechapt · Jun 5, 2014

Make sure that you unbolt the ground cable from the frame and clean the ground connection there. I have seen a bad ground at the frame cause problems.