Ford Jubilee Won't start

FERNHILLFARM · Aug 9, 2023

Hello! I'll start by saying I know very little about tractors and have always had someone else who took care of the tractors I used but that is no longer the case so I am needing some help. My Ford Jubilee tractor won't start, it just makes a clicking noise when I try to start it. The first few times I tried turning the key on and off and just starting over, now the key won't turn, it is stuck in the horizontal on position ( I can take the key out, just can't turn it). Any thoughts on what might be going on?
Also does anyone have a video of how to jumpstart a ford jubilee? I have a portable battery jumpstarter but was not sure if there was anything special I needed to know.
Of note, it has a 12V system not a 6V.
Thank you.

Old Ford Mechanic · Aug 9, 2023

Check and clean battery cables at the battery. If still no start check battery voltage.

HFJ · Aug 9, 2023

(quoted from post at 22:36:46 08/09/23) Hello!

hi fernhill, and welcome to YT

the first thing i would do is replace the switch. if it's stuck in the on position, you'll have no way to turn the tractor off if you jumpstart it.

This post was edited by HFJ on 08/09/2023 at 07:04 pm.

caterpillar guy · Aug 10, 2023

I would start with what both HFJ and Old Ford Mechanic said. I would also check connections of cables to make sure they are bright and tight. Don't twist them off or strip the threads but tight at a reasonable level. Then check fuel level. You'd be surprised how many times I've had people tell me their machine won't start or run and it is just out of fuel. If that is good then pull a plug wire and hold with an insulated pliers, and roll it over to see if you get a good blue spark or not. If a weak looking red or yellow spark that needs fixed. Do these things one at a time and check each note if there is a difference or not before going to the next thing this way you know what changes helped or not.

Bob N.Y. · Aug 10, 2023

Has the starter button next to the shifter been bypassed? If it has, that is a dangerous situation.

used red MN · Aug 10, 2023

Hello Fern Hill welcome to YT! I agree with FHJ about
changing the ignition switch but it seems you may have
some complications or misunderstanding about what is
happening. Have you operated this tractor before? In
original form you would turn the key on, then with the
transmission in neutral push down a metal button
about 3/4 inch in diameter down on the top of the
transmission near the gearshift. If your tractor does
not utilize this system then telling you to replace your
ignition switch is a bit more complicated. This is
probably because when the tractor was converted to
12 volts the system was changed to utilize a switch
that incorporated the starting circuit into it.
Nothing special about jumping the tractor with a
booster pack red booster cable goes on plus +
terminal of battery and black on the negative -
If you need more help maybe someone on here would
be willing to help you in person. Where are you
located?

FERNHILLFARM · Aug 10, 2023

(quoted from post at 05:59:57 08/10/23) Has the starter button next to the shifter been bypassed? If it has, that is a dangerous situation.

What do you mean/how would it have been bypassed? It was working normally up until this point.

FERNHILLFARM · Aug 10, 2023

Thanks so much for the info. I ve been driving the tractor for the next 1.5 years, so not the first time driving it. The start button is right next to the gear shifter and choke, and looks like the original start button. I guess I should buy a new ignition/key starter, although not sure how to install it, if anyone knows of any videos or info to share on that?
If on the off chance that someone lives near western MA and likes working on old tractors, I would be grateful for the support.

Geo-TH,In · Aug 10, 2023

The push button is a safety device. I
would not by pass it . It won't work
unless you are in neutral.

HFJ · Aug 10, 2023

(quoted from post at 14:39:23 08/10/23) I guess I should buy a new ignition/key starter, although not sure how to install it, if anyone knows of any videos or info to share on that?

look behind the dashboard at the body of the switch itself. it should only have 2 wires coming from it, and be held in place by a big thin nut threaded on from the back.

our hosts here sell a replacement switch, i have 2 of them in my tractors. it doesn't matter if you accidentally swap the 2 wires around when you connect the new switch.

if you have more than two wires on your existing switch, let us know. that would indicate a change from original wiring.

Bob N.Y. · Aug 10, 2023

Seeing as how you are still using the original starter button, you need a simple 2 position key switch, on and off, not one with a start position.

used red MN · Aug 11, 2023

Here is a video
Ford ign. switch replacement

Ford Jubilee Won't start

FERNHILLFARM

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Old Ford Mechanic

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HFJ

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caterpillar guy

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Bob N.Y.

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used red MN

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FERNHILLFARM

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FERNHILLFARM

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Geo-TH,In

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HFJ

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Bob N.Y.

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used red MN

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