JD450C Won't Start

I haven't yet had occasion to do any engine work on this machine and am trying to get a sense as to the scale of this job... something a DIY'er can muddle through or one that I ought to have someone who knows what they're doing come do?

Thanks!

Used it most of the day and restarted it several times successfully. It still doesn't sound right when it's starting though. After I press the starter push-button, there's a ten to fifteen second period where it sounds like the starter is spinning but it hasn't engaged the flywheel. Once the flywheel is finally engaged, the tractor starts up quickly and sounds normal.

Again, I'm guessing I have an impending starter failure... but I don't know if it's the starter or the solenoid or whatever, and I'm not sure what to do next?

I picked up a copy of the manuals and noted an instruction to remove the starter and "saturate the wicks" every 1000 hours. I don't know anything about the prior maintenance to this machine.... so is that something I should do?

Finally, I'm looking through diagrams trying to find the "balancing shafts" and "in-block" bushings... no luck yet. I may follow up with some additional questions if that's ok?

Thanks again,

- Mark

You should be able to figure this one out eventually. You mentioned that the batteries are fine. How did you test them? If you only used a voltmeter and they were not placed under a load at the time they still might be the problem. Batteries must be tested under load (i.e. when they are putting out current). The most popular load-tester uses an internal heating wire and lets you monitor the voltage while the wire heats up.

Next check you battery connections. They must be clean and tight. I've been fooled many times by connections that looked clean but (once I took them apart) were actually corroded.

On your starter the negative wire from the battery probably runs over to, and is bolted to the engine block. Make sure this connection is clean and tight.

If you are good so far, the next step is to see if you have voltage at the starter. There will likely be a large cable running to the battery. Check this first. There will likely be a smaller diameter wire running to the selonoid next to the battery cable. This smaller wire will have voltage when the starter is actually suppossed to spin.

If the wires check out okay then the starter is probably the culprit. One last thing it could be is dirt and oil building up on the starter case where it bolts into the engine block. The starter case is in effect the "negative" lead to the starter motor. If the metal is clean between the starter and the block, its time to have the starter looked at. At this point I generally go and get a rebuilt unit.

If you decide to open up the starter, look at the carbon brushes which ride on the commutator. These brushes wear down over the years. The material that wears off of them conducts electricity creating a semi-short circuit. This robs current from the starter and can cause a slow running starter motor. It may also cause the starter to run hot.

Most starters have a smaller round selenoid mounted on top of the starter. This is a big electro-magnet that switches battery voltage to the starter motor while it pushes the starter drive gear out into the flywheel. The selenoid can become sticky with old grease and fail to move.

Hope this helps,
John
1968 Case 450

- Mark

From looking at your post above it sure sounds like its a sticky selenoid or a bent starter drive. I'm just about to clean up the starter from my Case 188 Diesel engine. The selenoid comes off pretty easily and can be cleaned up with a degreaser. Brake Parts Cleaner is my favorite. Look for worn out componets. Be sure to lightly grease things before putting them back together. As I mentioned before, selenoids are basically electromagnets and the windings can wear and begin to short out over time. This causes excessive draw from the battery and an overall weaking of the ability of the selenoid to "pull-in". Clean it first but don't immediately rule out replacing it.

The starter "drive" is the assembly with the gear that does the actual starting. I'm going to replace mine. They do wear out over time. To replace the drive, you will have to remove the nose-cone from the starter.

Its a good time to check/clean the brushes. Note that you do not apply any sort of grease to the brushes, just clean them and check for excessive wear.

Best of luck!
John
1968 Case 450