Ford 4400 Electrical

[Dugbo]

Last week during a -10ｰ cold spell, I connected a battery charger to my Ford 4400 gas tractor to boost the battery for starting. I have an inline tank heater for warming the engine and the water lines w here warm. When I turned the ignition switch, the starter engaged, but it cranked slowly. When I turned the key off, the Charge Indicator Light stayed on. When I turned the key again, the starter did not engage. I've disconnected the + cable on the battery. Today was 30ｰ and no change. When I reconnect the +on the battery, the Charge Indicator Light comes on and the starter will not engage.
HELP! It's going to snow more & need my tractor.

 

[Jerry/MT]

That light should go out when you turn the key to the off position. If it stays on you have a wiring problem and it could be draining the battery.

When you say it won't engage, do you meant the starter motor doesn't turn or do you mean the starter motor turns but it doen't turn the engine?

If it's the former, are the cable terminals on the battery clean and is the chasis ground clean and tight. Look at the cable terminals where the cable itself goes into the terminal under the isulation. This area often corrodes and has a hgh resisitance that will limit the battery current to the starter. What condition is the battery in? You can pull the starter and have it tested if the battery and the terminals are in good shape. When you start are you stepping on the clutch? You don't want to turn the gear box full of cold oil over as well as the engine.

 

[Dugbo]

Thanks Jerry, you where right on. We finally had warm enough weather here to thoroughly check things out. The battery was seriously low and the you have to push in slightly on the key to both start and switch off. It started with a good booster. I will remember all your cold weather start tips.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin