John Deere 50 electrical problem

handcrank

Member
Battery is at 60%. Cable ends are clean. Lights work. When I push the starter
button I get nothing. Could it be the starter. Any help would be appreciated.
 
It could be the starter switch. Brushes in the starter could also be worn out. Either one is a relatively cheap fix. The terminal stud on the starter might also be the culprit. You already said that all of the battery cable connections are clean.
 
If the battery is truly at 60% of full charge it is in fact the problem. A starter needs a lot of amps and a battery that is low on charge just does not cut it.
 
Did it quit all of a sudden or has it been "acting up", i.e. intermitent trouble? Some possibility that it could be a mechanical problem. Does the starter pedal return to the "up" position when it's released? The actual switch on the starter body is actuated by a mechanical arm on the starter pedal mechanism. That arm could be broken if this is a "sudden acting up" situation.

The starter removal can be difficult unless you have small hands!! I call it a knuckle basher.

Most likely it is the electrical switch connection to the stud on the starter body. A bit hard to explain unless you have seen one apart.
 
Take a look at the [b:654c4848f0]Lamps and Wiring[/b:654c4848f0] diagram below.
a256178.jpg" width="650"


Using a test light, check the end of the cable connected to the starter switch on the starting motor for a good connection.
a256179.jpg" width="650"


If the light shines, then the ground cable and power cable are making good connections.

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#ff0000">CAUTION: Please be mindful of common safety steps; expressed or not.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>

Before you begin this troubleshooting step, make sure of the following:

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Lock both brakes.

Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

Remove the coil wire from both the coil and distributor.

Turn the gas off at the fuel filter.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]

You might consider bench testing the starting motor.


If there is power at the starter switch, then push the button to engage the starting motor.

If the starting motor engages, then check and/or adjust the starting motor pedal and linkage.

After checking and/or adjusting the starting motor pedal and linkage, then push the starter pedal.

If the starting motor does NOT engage, then remove the starter switch and check for wear on the copper contact.
a256181.jpg" width="650"


If the copper contact is severely worn on the edge, then it may not be making a good connection with the stud terminal on the starting motor.

Inspect the stud terminal on the starting motor.
a256185.jpg" width="650"


If the stud terminal is severely worn, then it may not be making a good connection with the starter switch on the starting motor.

You might consider replacing one or both if they are severely worn.

Hope this helps.
 
It could be the starter switch. Brushes in the starter could also be worn out. Either one is a relatively cheap fix. The terminal stud on the starter might also be the culprit. You already said that all of the battery cable connections are clean.
 
(quoted from post at 21:48:45 05/27/18) If the battery is truly at 60% of full charge it is in fact the problem. A starter needs a lot of amps and a battery that is low on charge just does not cut it.
2
 
I tried jumping with a fully charged battery all it did was groan and tried to turn over. Seems like its not making good contact somewhere.lm getting up in years and getting hard to do any wrenching.i will try toget underneath and take a look.is this something an older fellow can handel? Thanks again.Don.
 
Where do you live? Maybe someone who posts here would live close to you and could come by and give you a hand. A few years ago I found a poster lived in the next town to me 13 miles away. I was planning to help him, but he fixed the problem by himself.
 
I live in a small town 2o miles north of gaylord mi.iwant to get a look at the starter.could someone tell me how to go about it. Thanks Don.
 
I took the starter off an have it on the bench.the ternimal connection and the switch connection both look to be badly worn.i would like to try it on the bench but don,t know how to go about it, any help appreciated thanks, don.
 
Get a known good battery and a pair of jumper cables. Connect one jumper cable from battery - to starter switch. Connect other jumper cable from battery + to starter frame. If the starter is good it should run. Starter is not polarity sensitive and should run with either polarity.
 
Be ready for the torque when it spins. It could hop right off of the bench onto your foot.
 

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