Ignition Problem Ford 1710

[RickB]

Hardly know where to re-start. Starting with jumpers direct to starter is a decent workaround so the electrical issue was on the back burner. Water pump went out too, but that's just bolts, thank goodness.

Remember this is a 1700, not a 1710.

Strange electrical symptoms (pulled apart the 'dashboard for good access finally):

Good 12 volts at the yellow main on key switch

Turn key to on and get only 5-6 volts at red (wire to fuse block)

Power at fuses, but no accessories

Turn Key to start and get 5-6 volts at white (wire to starter solenoid kicker),

lower level voltage at solenoid

Here is where it get strange - disconnect the voltage regulator, and instead of getting 5 - 6 volts at the key outputs, I get a full 12 volts - but no activity on either the starter or the accessories.

Pulled the yellow 12 volt 'in' wine off the key switch and went direct to out terminals on key switch (bypass the switch) and no joy on any circuit - starter, glow plug or accessories with voltage reg either connected or disconnected.

Glow plugs work fine with my direct wire to battery setup for the workaround start.

I will keep troubleshooting this, but I switched over to pulling the water pump off since there is no workaround for that issue. I'm reluctant to take it to the New Holland shop, at $70 per hour this sort of thing could end up costing a fortune to troubleshoot.

I'm abandoning the new new tractor idea as well. I ended up getting two new front tires. The hole was so big I would need a plug the size of 2 thumbs to fix. Way beyond slime. AZ sun is hard on rubber and they looked like original equipment. Now a new water-pump.

If anybody has any ideas, I really appreciate the help. I'll mull on this, but my main puzzle is why disconnecting the voltage reg causes the output voltage change on the key switch.

Thanks in advance for telling me what's wrong with this thing.

The VR clearly has a short to ground, or is completing a path to the alternator which has a short to ground (or any of the associated wiring).

 

[oldford1710]

Could it be an internal problem with the alternator? A short in the alternator?

I will re-check continuity on all the wires between the 2 VR and the alternator - I think I checked most or all already and they seemed OK.

This would be a good time to have the alternator checked as well I reckon since its pretty much already off since I pulled the water pump.

 

[oldford1710]

After replacing the fuel filter, battery ground strap, front tires and water pump, testing the alternator, starter and battery (all good) and the replacing the IGNITION SWITCH, we again have a nice old 1700 working in the vineyard. The ignition switch, which was one of the top original suspects, was the cause of the ignition issue.

Upside, my buddy and I know a lot more about Ford 1700 tractors than we did when this started!