Super Dexta Solenoid Bad???

jlowe14 · Oct 17, 2023

Have issue with Super Dexta (12V) starting. Solenoid clicks but won't engage starter. However, I can use jumper cable to direct jump the starter from battery and
will crank right up. Thinking the solenoid is bad?

waugh621 · Oct 17, 2023

Sure sounds like it to me. I run a screwdrver across the solinoid posts to test.

sotxbill · Oct 17, 2023

I'm confused.. my super dexta had a lever that manually force the selonoid into starting mode and pushing in the bendix... Do you have a different/newer starter?

Majorman · Oct 18, 2023

All Dextas came out with a switch on the starter operated by a lever. The switch turns on the solenoid to switch the battery power to the starter motor.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 18, 2023

All the pictures I'm coming up with online for Fordson Super Dexta starter solenoid show an electrically-actuated solenoid.

Texasmark · Oct 19, 2023

2 things here: Solenoid internal contacts are pitted due to age and don't have enough surface area to conduct the couple hundred amps or so required to start the engine.

Other thing is that the interconnecting wiring has corroded to the point where again, there isn't adequate surface area to carry the required current. I'd take all my high current (battery +&-) circuit wiring contacts apart and clean them up nice and shiny then reinstall nice and tight. Be sure to include the bolt that holds the - terminal to the tractor mainframe. Inspect the crimp on connections on the cables for old age....replace as necessary.

If you do the cables (first) and that doesn't solve the problem, either take your solenoid apart and clean up the contacts or get another....I have taken several solenoids apart and filed (burnished) the terminal contacts and turned the disc over that's attached to the plunger rod. Never did that on the type that mounts on the starter but I may have my first crack at it on my Case-IH that started acting up yesterday....but first I will do the cable thing.

jlowe14 · Oct 19, 2023

Thanks for that. I replaced all the wiring (i.e. battery cables, starter cable, low amp wires from switch to solenoid/alternator, etc...). Funny thing is it is a new solenoid as well. Since I was able to run a jumper cable directly from battery to starter terminal and it started right up, I'm thinking the new solenoid may be burnt inside or isn't able to handle the high current.

olddavid · Oct 19, 2023

(quoted from post at 06:40:20 10/19/23) Thanks for that. I replaced all the wiring (i.e. battery cables, starter cable, low amp wires from switch to solenoid/alternator, etc...). Funny thing is it is a new solenoid as well. Since I was able to run a jumper cable directly from battery to starter terminal and it started right up, I'm thinking the new solenoid may be burnt inside or isn't able to handle the high current.

Since it works with jumper cables and even though everything is new I would check all the cables (including the ground cable). I just made the mistake of blaming my starter and solenoid when it was a bad ground cable post connector. Check all connections.

Super Dexta Solenoid Bad???

jlowe14

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waugh621

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sotxbill

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Majorman

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BarnyardEngineering

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Texasmark

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jlowe14

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olddavid

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