Help! New toy borke!

dapper · Feb 9, 2006

I broke my new toy!!! Hit the key to start, turned over, and I backed off the key. Didn’t start, and I hit the key again. Starter made funny noise, and now the starter just spins. Sounds like the solenoid not engaging engine. Anyone know if there is a shear pin in the solenoid? Did a search and could find no similar posts. Tractor is a NH TN-65. Any ideas on this one? Anyone have this happen to them?

jinman · Feb 10, 2006

Ouch! It's a good thing your TN is still in warranty, because I think you have a case of "infant mortality." Probably the starter bendix is malfunctioning, but also maybe the starter's drive gear self-destructed. That's the easy fix. The hard one is if the flywheel gears sheared off. That will require splitting the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I think since you hear the starter motor running that all the electrical functions are working properly. It really does sound like a mechanical failure because of the strange noise you heard.

Good luck! I think I'd be placing a call to my dealer very quickly. Those are just the kinds of failures the warranty is designed to remedy.

DocHeb · Feb 10, 2006

Low battery not giving enough starter RPMs to spin out the starter gear/engage solenoid?

dapper · Feb 10, 2006

Thanks Jinman
Hopefully the bendex. Do you know if there is a shear pin on this thing, to prevent chewing up flywheel gear. Don't think it made enough noise to be eating up gear. Now it sounds like gear rotating on shaft. Possibly broken shaft? Have call in to dealer. Will post outcome.
John

dapper · Feb 10, 2006

Thanks Doc,
Checked bat. and all seems ok. All lights good and bright. Solenoid spins, just doesn't seem to engage flywheel. Does anyone know about tow starting diesel? Done this plenty of times with old 600, but not sure about diesel. Working in the warm side of the barn would be a great help.
John

RickB · Feb 11, 2006

The solenoid doesn't spin. It completes the electrical circuit that allows the starter motor to turn. And mechanically shifts the starter drive so the pinion engages the flywheel ring gear. If the starter motor runs, but the tractor does not turn over, the starter will need to be bench tested. Either the starter drive has failed, or the linkage between the solenoid and starter drive has failed. Bottom line, either a starter repair or exchange is in order.

dapper · Feb 11, 2006

RickB,
Thanks for the info. That is exactly what I needed to know. I can hear the starter shift forward, but just spins, and doesn’t engage flywheel or the pinion just spins on the shaft. Either way starter is on order. It should be in on Tuesday.
Question? It looks like the starter is held on with 3 17mm bolds. 2 of which are going to be a bear to get to. Anything special I should know about removing the starter. Looks like the fuel filter will have to come off, and fuel line connection in front of the starter. How much room needed to the front of tractor to remove starter from housing?
I am hoping that I can remove the starter without taking off the loader & loader bracket. (Loader with bucket is still attached) Think this is possible? If not will it be possible to remove the right side bucket bracket without taking off the loader itself? Thinking I can support right loader arm, and pull pins from bracket, then 6 30mm bolts to drop bracket to get to starter. Looks like I will need some help handling the bracket itself. Removing loader would require tow starting of tractor and then setting loader on stand. This is all being done on level concrete floor with way of lifting loader arm if necessary.
You’re an invaluable resource to this site, and the talent here is second to none. I appreciate all that talent!
Thanks for your post.
John

RickB · Feb 12, 2006

Fuel filter and fuel line will need to come off. Removing the loader bracket with the loader installed may well be impossible, at any rate it is a bad idea. I don't remember removing a starter on a TN with loader. But I would remove the loader before attempting it if it is a mechanical shuttle tractor that can be pull-started, or if another lifting device is available. Not sure about the mount bracket; that can get to be a lot of work, especially on a cabbed tractor.

dapper · Feb 12, 2006

Thanks Rick,
Looks like I will tow start and remove bucket. Open station tractor, so looks like 6 bolts to get bracket off. Possible that starter can be removed without taking off bracket. Will have to see. Big job just to remove starter. Thanks for the tips. Will keep posted.
John