New MF135 owner - alternator dead & power steering leak

[SkyePN]

Hi everyone, glad to be here.

Bought my first tractor this weekend, a 1969 Massey Ferguson 135 with a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel, power steering, front end loader, and back blade. Pretty worn out but I'm happy to wrench on it on the weekends and get it back to it's full working glory.



A few problems that need to be addressed before I can put it to work. I have a set of manuals on order but who knows how long it will take to get here. Found the owner's manual PDF (low resolution, can't read the wiring diagrams) but haven't been able to find the workshop manual or parts manual PDFs online. Hope it's OK if I ask some dumb questions until they arrive. Want to start fixing & ordering parts asap as summer's days are numbered.

Issue #1 - alternator is not charging. I cleaned it off and pulled it, pretty sure it's a Delco Remy 10DN externally regulated alternator. Looks like it's been full of mud at some point. The alternator wiring on a diesel is a bit confusing to me since there's no ignition switch on/run position?

Tractor off: Getting constant 12.8V to BAT and F terminals, 1.5V at R terminal (measured to chassis ground).
Tractor running: 12.7V at BAT and R terminals, 12.2 at F terminal.

How can I tell if it's definitely the alternator and not the external regulator?
Is it worth getting the 10DN rebuilt/replaced or tackle conversion to 10SI?
Is this the original alternator that came with the 135 or has someone converted it?

There's a black wire that's come loose from somewhere in the photo below, could be the problem. A round thing is clamped on the wire, is that a diode? If so I suspect it's supposed to going to the F terminal from the warning light or some 12V source?

Leaning towards getting the 10DN fixed at least for this winter, so instead of mucking around with wiring, I can spend time fixing other problems, namely....



Issue #2 - power steering fluid pouring out from under steering wheel. I have a power steering pump under the alternator, and a hydraulic cylinder on each steering arm (I've done some searching and learned there are a few different types of p/s systems)

Where would I even start diagnosing this issue? I've seen various suggestions about pump relief valves, or filter or ???

I can feel some lateral play when I grab the steering wheel and move it side to side. Is there a seal kit that goes under the steering wheel, like on IH tractors? Can someone point me to a part #? I've looked at some online parts dealers and don't see anything obvious.



Thanks a lot... frustrating to try and figure this out without a legible wiring diagram

 

[pmsmechanic]

A quick easy test for alternator charging is to hold some ferrous metal to the rear bearing, like a screw driver. If the alternator is charging there will be a definite magnetic pull on the screwdriver.

Massey parts diagrams are a bit of an adventure to get to. Go here Welcome to AGCO Parts Books , sign in as a guest user. Type in 135, click on Massey Ferguson and look for 135 tractor. You are looking for Section 118 for the alternator, section 196 for the power steering gear (deluxe and orchard), sections 206,208,210,212, or 214 for the power steering pump.

Have fun!

 

[SkyePN]

Thanks! The tractor is a couple hours drive from home, I only get to work on it on the weekends, so I pulled the alternator and have it with me. I'm going to take it to an alternator shop tomorrow and have them bench test it. I've copied your notes as I don't get a cell signal at the property so have to rely on whatever diagnostic material I've remember to print beforehand.

Thanks for the link to AGCO and the section numbers, I must have searched for two hours for that info. I guess it's not indexed in Google etc.

If anyone has a photo of the 135 diesel electrical diagram (high enough resolution to make out the alternator terminal labels) I could really use it to trace wires and make sure everything's connected correctly this weekend. I think its figure 62 in the owner's manual or figure 194 in the service manual. The only diagrams I've been able to find are either broken attachments or too low res to read. I found one that was readable but the alternator is cut off :mur:

 

[SkyePN]

One thing I did notice from the cut off diagram I posted above is it appears there should be 5 wires going to the alternator (black, blue, red, grey, white) and I only count 4 in my photo in the first post (plus the ground which doesn't appear to be in the diagram). In that case the black wire with the little round inline thing should definitely be attached somewhere? The silver paint overspray makes it hard to make out the colors from the photo

 

[SkyePN]

Hmm I guess nobody recognizes the black wire, I'll have to try and trace it through the loom.

Quick question about the P/S pump, I only see an oil fill plug on the top of the reservoir, am I supposed to fill it completely with fluid? The owners manual gives a capacity but not the procedure.

Manual says "Drain and refill power steering pump reservoir with hydraulic oil M-1129-A" same oil as the transmission/hydraulics.

My local farm supply sells "Universal Transmission/Hydraulic Oil" and AW-46 Hydraulic Oil are either of those acceptable substitutes?

Harvest King Universal Transmission/Hydraulic Oil

"Multifunctional tractor hydraulic/transmission fluid which lubricates the transmission, differential and final drive gears. It acts as a power steering, power brake, power take-off and implement drive fluid. It provides a medium with the correct friction and heat transfer characteristics for proper operation of the tractor wet brakes and power take-off unit. Meets or exceeds the performance requirements of major tractor OEMS specifications. Protects against wear, rust, foam and leaks. Extends the life of your equipment. (3-5-01831)"

 

[JethroB]

Maybe this will be helpful. Our 135 has been in the family since new in 1975. It is a beast but has had a good share of electrical and leaky power steering gremlins.

Enjoy.

 

[SkyePN]

Thanks! I think that's the same PDF I have, same size & coffee stains on the cover. Unfortunately the wiring diagram isn't readable.

If I can get the power steering leak from a flood down to a trickle I'll be happy.

 

[JethroB]

Coffee stain watermark, maybe a trademark? ha. At some point over the years my dad apparently had the alternator replaced with one with an internal regulator. But the old regulator remains with a rats nest of unused wires. His happiest (5300+) hours were spent putting around on it almost to age 90.

 

[pmsmechanic]

In post # 6 there is a PDF for a MF135 owners manual. On page 53 of that manual there is a wiring diagram for a diesel engine. The scan isn't great but if you print it off and take it to a alternator repair shop along with a picture of your alternator from post #1 or 4, they should be able to show you which wire goes where. If they can't then you know not to take your repairs there.

 

[SkyePN]

My guess is that the black wire is the 18 gauge black highlighted in red. The diagram shows two ground wires attached with a ring terminal. Your pictures only show one. Also, what was the results of your alternator test?

View attachment 669284

Thanks! If that's what it is, it looks like it attaches to the ground on the voltage regulator. Where is the regulator, behind the dash somewhere? The frame for the front loader makes it hard to look back there.

Alternator was dead per bench test, got a new one yesterday. Will install this weekend. The casing model # on the alternator was from a 10SI but the alternator was a 10DN, had me confused.