John Deere 4600 starter

[ab1953]

When I try to start my John Deere 4600 sometimes it will turn over as it should and sometimes it will spin without engaging the flywheel. It grinds on the flywheel. I am wondering if it could be the thermistor or some other problem.

 

[TractorGuy]

My guess would be a sticking starter drive or a worn spot on the flywheel ring gear. Either way you would want to remove the starter to inspect. If it is a sticky starter drive and you keep allowing it to grind it WILL become a ring gear issue.

 

[ab1953]

Thank you for your reply. You were absolutely right. I took the starter apart and sprayed it with a spray lubricant and it is working fine now. I don't know how long it will last but at least now I know that the problem is the starter.
Thanks again.

 

[DanMc77]

My 4600 had an issue like this a few years ago. When you kicked on the starter, sometimes it would just create a nasty grinding sound, other times it would engage and start up. A friend recommended that I remove the starter, and engage it while not installed in the tractor. Put on a leather glove and press on the starter gear while engaging. He said that if the starter solenoid is bad, then it will be fairly easy to keep the gear from extending. A good starter would be hard to oppose. Turns out it was easy to hold it back. A new starter was found on ebay for around $100. With the new starter, this have never happened again.

 

[ab1953]

Thanks for your reply on my starter issue. I found that my starter drive needed lubricating but I will try to remember what you said about how to check it out next time.