Ford 640 w/12v conversion - Started Then Wouldn't Start - Electrical

[nsfab]

First off, this is my first post and I want to say thank you for everyone being as helpful as they are. I would have needed to post a long time ago if it wasnt for the knowledge base that has made this site so great.......

I went to go fire my 640 the other day(the coldest morning we have had in GA yet this year) and as soon as I bumped the switch, the tractor moved as it was in gear(apparently my neutral switch was bad, didnt know it). I took it out of gear, and went to go fire it again, and nothing. I recently bought the tractor and one of my intentions was to clean up the wiring. This finally gave me an opportunity to do it. So, I went out, bought a new starter relay, ignition switch, starter switch, and new +/- leads from the battery. Wired it all up, and the only noise I get is a click of the starter relay. I cleaned up the ground from the frame to the battery. I cleaned up the mating surface of the starter as it grounds itself through the casing. I tapped on the starter with a hammer while trying to engage it and still nothing. I have never seen a starter just go like that. Works fine for one second and then poof, nothing. We recently moved and I cannot find my multimeter right now to see if the starter is getting a good 12v, but with all new wiring and switches, I dont see how its possible not to be getting power to the starter.

Only thing I have left to do is to take the starter all the way out and get it tested/rebuilt. Unless someone on here has an idea that I am just not thinking of? Thanks for your help guys.

-Greg

 

[TCJatko]

Battery dead? Seems like a good place to start. Be sure to check terminals and cables for good contact.

 

[merlynr]

Put your tractor in the highest gear and try to move it by rock it back and forth. The starter may be stuck.

 

[nsfab]

I have charged the existing battery on my industrial charger for 2 hours as well as swapping out for a battery I know is good from my truck. Got the same result from both batteries. I will try the rocking it back and forth approach. Thanks.

 

[8N Ren]

Sure you wired it all correctly?
Everything is clean, bright and tight at the connections?
Did you load test your battery?

 

[nsfab]

Positive I am wired correctly. All connections were cleaned prior to being reinstalled. I even cleaned off the chassis ground and cleaned off the starter mating surface. As far as load testing the battery, I got the same noise from both the tractor's battery as well as the battery I use in my truck. The battery from my truck is strong enough to turn over my 6.7 cummins by itself('borrowed' the 2nd one last week for a few days) so it shouldnt have any issue turning over the 640.

 

[8N Ren]

You said previously you replaced the starter relay and ignition switch, just wondering why, were they known to be no good?
Maybe one of em isn't working out of the box perhaps.

 

[nsfab]

I was just redoing the whole system while I was in there. All aspects of the wiring, switches, etc were pretty beat up. I just wanted to go through and get everything redone from tip to tail. I have the same noise coming from both starter relays. I am going to try and bump it here in a little bite.

 

[snohobigdad]

Hi, I just brought my 640 back to life. It has a 6v system. Does anyone have a thread or website where I can find info on converting to a 12v system? Advantages / Disadvantages? It is up and running and it only has 120 hrs on it

 

[Soundguy]

if it is up and running.. why convert?

before you convert.. make sure it does not have an electronic ignition conversion. if it does.. you are locked in to current configuration of voltage and ground polarity unless you buy a new EI module and / or a new breaker plate to go back to points.

If you just have to convert it. either buy the tisco alternator bracket kit or make brackets using the old one as a lower.

get a gm alternator.. a napa 213-4011b is a 10si alt, 3 wire and will fit.

need a 12v battery.

need 12v lamps

i would suggest getting a 12v coil. napa ic14sb

remove gen, get correct pulley for alt, if it does not already have it.

install battery negative ground

bolt alternator on.

run charge stud from alt to the wire that used to go to the bat connection on the old vreg ( can remove old vreg )

wire that goes to the coil, 'T' from there and run it thru a 194 style bulb ( get lamp holder from a trailer parts stor.. etc.. ).. run that to a female spade and plug into the #1 tab on the alternator.

make a short jumper with a ring terminal and a femal spade connectior and plug the spade to the #2 tab on the alt and the ring terminal on th the charge stud.

ammeter will likely read backwards so swap wires on studs on ammeter side to side.

repalce lamps

clean up all grounds while going so.

that's it...

oh.. and sell the 6v gen and vreg to someone who wants to keep their good running 6v system stock.