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John Deere B starter won't work

K

Keith Molden

Well-known Member
I bought this tractor this spring at auction. Tractor runs when pulled but I can't get the starter to work. When I bench test it, it works fine but when I put it on the tractor nothing. I'm getting 6.25 volts on my multimeter. I've used emery cloth on the mating surfaces of the tractor and starter. I put new brushes in it and everything seems good till I mount it. I bench tested it with the for lack of a better word, foot kicker lever and contact switch mounted and it worked. Put it on the tractor and get nothing. I connected the battery charger directly to the starter and it just hums. I'm stumped, I'm reasonably sure it's a 6 volt starter, if I remember correctly the 12 volts tags are orange and say 12 volts on them. This one has a green tag but does not say 6 volt. I'm all out of ideas and hoping somebody has a answer. Thanks guys, Keith
 
It has been years since I had mine but it needs heavy cables and you know it is positive ground. Check all your wiring. Can't remember anything else about it.
 
Check the voltage from the actual cable stud directly to the starter case.

If power there when trying to start, and nothing is happening, something is wrong inside the starter.

Chances are you have a cable or ground problem. Clean the paint or rust where the starter fits against the block.
 
I cleaned the mating surfaces bright with emory cloth and the cable is as large as will fit through the holes to get to the starter. Think I might have to take it to a shop. I used to rebuild starters, generators and alternators all the time when we had the shop and wrecker service, but I was 40 then, October 3rd will make me 75, so that's been 35 years ago and I can't remember things like I used to. I have 6.25 volts at the bolt where the cable bolts too so the voltage is getting there. I'm stumped.
 
Steves key words are ..when trying to start.. so secondly as he says if there is power between the terminal and the case there is an internal starter problem. A bad connection may show good to a meter under no load but drop continuity under load.
 
Years back my BR acted the same way until I took it to a genius old timer and he discovered that the previous owner must have worked on it because the flush mount bolt that goes into the case was too long and was shorting the starter out.
 
Volts to it means nothing if it aint got the amps.
Check the amps when you try to start. Try 12 v with boosters cables on the starter
 
. I have 6.25 volts at the bolt where the cable bolts too so the voltage is getting there.

If 6.25 Volts, is that no load, or with starter engaged?
 
Highly likely that paint and/or rust on starter body or tractor frame is the problem. The starter body must make solid electrical contact to the point where it mounts to the tractor frame.
 
with the meter what does it read when you move the sw mite be bad cables check both ends on both cables if one post is warm after moving the sw that will show that cable end is bad
 
If your battery is grounded to the battery box, move the ground to a better location. The battery box probably doesnt have good contact with the tractor where it mounts.
 
I'm thinking you may have hit my problem square on the head. I will finish baling hay today, and in the morning I'm going to run heavy cable to the frame. I doubt that box has ever been off this tractor and it would be better anyway to move it. I thought I had checked but apparently, I have NOT checked the ground connection (it was rusty as all get out) when I checked it this morning. I cleaned it and put a new bolt in but I think I'll put a new welding lead cable on it and move it. Keith
 
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