New battery & starter help

[barlowbend]

We've got an older (1995ish) M5400 at our hunting camp. The starter was on it last leg, so we went ahead and bought a new one from our local dealer and also got a new battery since none of us could remember the last time we changed it. Anyway, got everything back on and when we hooked up the battery the starter just starts spins like we're trying to crank the tractor. We immediately disconnected the battery not wanting to burn up the new starter. We've tried cleaning all the terminal connections, made sure none of the fuses (that we know of) had blown but it still does the same thing. I'm a believer in the fact the simplest explanation is usually the correct one, so my thinking is we somehow hooked up the starter incorrectly. We've got the service manual but there's not a ton of info in there on how to correctly hook up the starter. I should have taken some pics before I took it off the tractor but too late for that. Any help here is greatly appreciated.

 

[rjcorazza]

I would guess you have the cable from the battery to the starter on the wrong post. The purpose of the starter solenoid is to connect the post from the battery, to the post to the starter.

 

[85Hokie]

I would guess you have the cable from the battery to the starter on the wrong post. The purpose of the starter solenoid is to connect the post from the battery, to the post to the starter.

Ditto to what he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[barlowbend]

I would guess you have the cable from the battery to the starter on the wrong post. The purpose of the starter solenoid is to connect the post from the battery, to the post to the starter.

Just looked at some pics I took in the woods to compare some stuff I could find online when I was back at the house tonight and guess what....Simplest explanation is the correct one. I attached the cable from the battery directly to the starter. That's what happens when you're in a rush and don't slow down and walk through the correct process. Now to see if I can get away from the office for a day to go rescue our old tractor! Thanks for the replies.

 

[85Hokie]

Just looked at some pics I took in the woods to compare some stuff I could find online when I was back at the house tonight and guess what....Simplest explanation is the correct one. I attached the cable from the battery directly to the starter. That's what happens when you're in a rush and don't slow down and walk through the correct process. Now to see if I can get away from the office for a day to go rescue our old tractor! Thanks for the replies.

Time to take a day off from work!!! The pressure is killing you! And dont feel bad, all of us have a story that will top yours! Glad you have a simple fix too!