Tractor stalled and now will not start - any ideas

aaluck

Well-known member

Equipment
L4400HST, Bush Hog 276, RDTH60, Speeco PHD, etc
Oct 9, 2019
946
771
93
Snowdoun, AL
I'm curious as well. Would love to know the answer. I'm NOT a mechanic, but does the starter work in conjunction with something else that may have been "accidentally fixed"?
 

Henro

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Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,807
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North of Pittsburgh PA
So the consensus seems to be the issue was not the starter. OR at least the speculation is.

BUT the starter did turn the engine over.

I too am confused. If the starter turned the engine then the issue was not the solenoid. BUT perhaps the starter was turning the engine more slowly than normal due to an internal failure?

After posting this I will have to go back and reread the OP’s conclusions.

Edit: sounds like the OP bought a replacement started and the issue resolved. If I were a betting man, I would bet the starter motor was failing and turning the engine slower than normal, but I think one would pick that up as slow cranking similar to having a weak battery.

I remain confused, but glad the OP is back in business!
 
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Sparty047

Member

Equipment
L2501 with plow,drag,cultivator,FEL,brush hog
Nov 26, 2019
37
5
8
Eaton Rapids,MI
Hi Sparty!
The resulting joy found after dealing with a non starting tractor is truly profound, isn’t it?
Sadly, I myself find the need to start my own new thread on this very same subject.
I wanted to ask you one question though, as I’m confused with the fix being the starter.
You wrote that you were able to crank the engine over quite a bit, (4 to 5 second bursts x 15-20 times, even) so how could it be the starter?
Glad you got it going….wish me luck please!

Boy! My expertise with tractor mechanics is close to nil. Yes, the engine cranked but did not fire. Neither did I appreciate that the engine was cranking slower than ususal. Someone farrrr wiser than me can perhaps explain how the starter can be defective in such a manner that this can happen. I did nothing further with the fuel supply and electrical connections to the starter were not altered in making the change.


Good luck with your tractor.....there are senior members here whose advice you'd be wise to follow.
 

ayak

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3301 HST
Feb 16, 2018
624
847
93
WV
I’ve always been a big proponent of A-B-A troubleshooting whenever practical. Some of my customers used to give me the stink eye big time when I would take the time to then put the BAD part back in to make it fault out again, but for the cost of a $25K part, it made all the sense in the world (useful with solid failures only, obviously).
 

Sparty047

Member

Equipment
L2501 with plow,drag,cultivator,FEL,brush hog
Nov 26, 2019
37
5
8
Eaton Rapids,MI
Wow!

I was aware that a starter engages and turns the engine. I did not know if the electric circuit within the starter served any other purpose.

I had completed all tasks for clearing out the fuel lines and verified good fuel flow to the pump. I had cranked the engine 15 or 20 times over two days without a hint of combustion. Cranking seemed as always with no noticeable slowing.

I did nothing else to the fuel lines or electrical circuit before replacing the starter. I only detached the leads on the old starter. After the new starter was in place, I turned the key and the engine started with 2 seconds.

I don't see how I could have "accidently" repaired the primary issue.

GO FIGURE??!!
 
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Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,807
2,996
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
Wow!

I was aware that a starter engages and turns the engine. I did not know if the electric circuit within the starter served any other purpose.

I had completed all tasks for clearing out the fuel lines and verified good fuel flow to the pump. I had cranked the engine 15 or 20 times over two days without a hint of combustion. Cranking seemed as always with no noticeable slowing.

I did nothing else to the fuel lines or electrical circuit before replacing the starter. I only detached the leads on the starter. After the starter was in place, I turned the key and the engine started with 2 seconds.

I don't see how I could have "accidently" repaired the primary issue.

GO FIGURE??!!
My SPECULATION would be that the rate at which the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders is compressed affects combustion. Faster compression resulting from faster starter rotation might increase the heat generated within the cylinders and aid initial combustion.

I would bet on this…but not much. Hopefully somewhen with more knowledge can offer an opinion.

I too think the starter was likely the primary issue. OR something related to it, that was limiting current flow through the starter, resulting in less speed/torque being developed by the starter.

You could always satisfy your curiosity and put the old starter back in and see what happens. :LOL:
 

PoTreeBoy

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
2,837
1,550
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WestTn/NoMs
These engines require a certain minimum cranking speed.

If you look at a diagram of the starter, you'll see an internal relay. I'm not sure exactly how it all works, but you have motor brushes that could wear/burn. The commutator connections can go bad or a coil can short or burn out. The contacts on that relay can also wear/burn. Any of those or a combination could reduce the starter current/power.
 
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