Mystery Starter Cranking

I have this "off brand" lil AC D 15 utility I use for bush hogging etc. Its equipped with a Ford type starter solenoid and a generic sort of On Off Start swtich that has given me problems like a loose or restitive contact that has to be in just the right place to maintain ignition n maybe a couple bumps up to the Start position now n then before the solenoid engaged, but she always eventually worked. YES the battery n cables n grounds and switch n solenoid wiring all look fine n not shorted.

Anywho Im near the barn yesterday n hear this noise AND THE LIL D 15 (no one around it or touching it mind you) STARTS CRANKING THE STARTER OVER ????????? I run over n turn the key on n off n wherever but she keeps cranking and its slowing down cuz the battery is gettin weak. I run n disconnect a battery cable but by then she stopped cranking due to a low battery and there werent any sparkies when the cable was disconnected.

I didnt see any rats nests or water or nuttin around the solenoid or switch that could be shorting it, WHATS YALL BEST GUESSES WHY SHE STARTED CRANKING THE STARTER?????

I'm headed to town to pick up a new universal On Off Start switch and a Ford Solenoid cuz the switch was acting up a lil anyway n those solenoids arent expensive.

Have fun yall

John T

You the electrical engineer are asking us low life second rate farmers.

Is this a test or what?~})

I give up what caused it other than a shorted out switch or something?

Gary

Hey John T – My money’s on an ignition switch problem.

It’s already been “acting up” – seems only logical it might spontaneously energize the starter solenoid circuit due to a temperature change or something. (I’m presuming you’ve eliminated gnawing critters, etc. exploring the wiring harness...)

Suggest once you get the new key switch installed you open up the old one. Bet you’ll find worn contacts and metal filings in spots where they shouldn’t be.

----

Alternative fix: Trade your D15 for a hand-cranked tractor(!)

Bob M

Years ago I had a car that did the same thing once in a while - a Ford Maverick. Seemed to be related to humidity or temperature, never did figure it out.

Sure sounds like a switch or possibly etherial happenances to me

spring for the more expensive switch, even if it is also made in china. We have two different priced ones at my work, and the better one is around 20$ vs the cheap at 7$. There is a noticable difference, even though both are not domestic.

solenoid is a good plan, intermittent connection and/or prolonged cranking cannot be good for it. maybe spring for the more expensive one of those too.

maybe adding a safety switch to the clutch pedal would be wise. A universal backup switch could work for that. Then only a solenoid problem could energize the starter if you have an extra switch in series.

A lot of that universal electrical is not made for being out in the weather. depeding on your tractor storage conditions and climate you may want the big $$ marine rated parts.

karl f

I agree My Uncle had a 400 who"s key switch went intermittent. One day it sputtered to "on" just after he went to his shift job, and after driving the 400 hot out of the field.
It was in reverse, it had FH 3-16 plow raised on the back of it, and it was in reverse.
The sputtering switch sparked the ignition system and sent a spark to a cylinder with fuel in it. The thing actually started. It made 5 passes in the yard , going round and round in ever widening circles. A rear tire hit a RR tie and sent it off into the brush behind the buildings. It mowed down about 8 2 inch saplings and came back home to smash into the tack shead. This frame building was pushed off its foundation by the plow. The tractor"s FH lower links climbed the foundation and lifted a rear tire off the ground. It sat there grinding a hole in the ground till there was no more dirt to move. My Aunt Ruth Heard the tractor running in the yard about 10 minutes later, and went out to find the incredible reality. She twisted on the switch some and it stopped. Needless to say there was a similar sight (and expression on the face) for my Uncle. There were no kids around the area, and it was the switch. JimN

Probably the switch, but none the less one more good reason to park our tractors in neutral.

karl - The clutch safety switch is a good idea.

Carrying it a step further I'm contemplating adding a marine-rated battery disconnect switches in the battery ground cable on all my tractors.

Would effectively eliminate the possiblity of an accidental start. Also eliminates the chance of a fire from a short circuit while the tractor is parked.

Further it will deter at least the casual would-be tractor thieves...

My 400 did that too. I believe that the switch had gotten wet and had shorted out. I am uncomfortable about leaving it outside after that. I will cover the dash with something if it is going to stay outside. I did replace that switch and it has not happened again.
SDE
Unanimous, don't you thimk?

Im just gonna replace the switch first then wait n see,,,,,,,I dont see the solenoid as self activating really,,,,,,,and since the switch was already a problem thats my first bet also,,,,,,, if it everrrrrrrr does it again then the Ford solenoid,,,,,,,its parked inside out of the rain by the way

Thanks yall

John T

REminds me of a story (true) where a truck wiring shorted out causing a fire. The owner got in the truck and got it backed out of the building but couldn't get the fire out by himself. The wires shorted out & caused the starter to turn &go back in the shed. Just by habit he put it back in first gear not thinking this could happen. The battery failed a few feet before the shed.

aww heck, be real modern n fancy: use a passkey system from a mid 90s gm!
guaranteed to deter operation by the owner when least expected! ;-)
btdt & i won!

i'm all for keeping it simple (yet maintaining a factor of safety). The simple things seem to deter plenty of people from using their own stuff!


karl f

Several years ago I had just purchased my '50 Ford truck, and decided I better move it before the rains started and it sank axles deep in the mud. Got in, hit the starter and nothing happened. So I get out and open the hood, clean the battery connections and close the hood. The headlights came on and the starter started crankin' as soon as I closed the hood. Now I'd seen the movie "Christine" and was a little freaked out, but I opened the hood and managed to get the battery cable unhooked (probably in record time) and it stopped. Then I started probing around in the wiring and discovered several places where the insulation looked okay until you undid the clips holding it in place, and the insulation just fell off and left 8 inches or so exposed. I bypassed everything and put in enough new wire to get it started and moved, then the next summer re-wired it from stem to stern.

Might try a marine switch. David..................

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...Name=3+Position+Off-Run-Start+Ignition+Switch