Starting Trouble Battery Drains

[coffeyp]

I have a 1947 John Deere M. It's not starting and it's draining the power from my battery. I just put a new one in it and it's doing the same thing. It will try and start at first then it looses battery power quickly.

I traced the wires outside of the harness and taped up all the wires that were exposed. I haven't been able to get to the wires that connect to the power switch. I'm trying to find where it might be grounding or draining.

If anyone has any thoughts or experience why the battery is getting drained when I try and start the M please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[boomer1025]

The starter might be drawing to much current.
Is the tractor in a warm or cold location. What weight engine oil you using ?

 

[ultrarunner]

I once had a similar problem and it turned out to be the starter.

Once I removed the started I could see the bronze bushing was worn through on one side and because of this it acted like a weak battery...

Only a thought.

 

[Tx Jim]

Simplest way to look for a battery drain is disconnect battery ground cable and attach test light between G cable & batt. If you have a drain light will burn. Then start disconnecting things one at a time until test light goes out. I usually start with volt. regulator, then generator etc.

If you mean batt goes down while trying to crank engine then I'd agree starter is the problem.