to-30 ignition problem

[dave somerville]

my to-30 starts fine but when i let off the switch on the dash the engine stops. replaced the switch but it did not help..
 

[John(UK)]

If you mean that the engine will run when you have the switch key turned to operate the starter but stops as soon as you release the key, then you have the switch wired incorrectly. Make sure that you have the main feed to the correct terminal. John(UK)....fergusontractors@hotmail.com
 

[McBride]

That happens on certian vehicles. If the system is 12 volts with a ballast resistor and has a ballast resistor bypass for when starting.
On this application the coil will see full 12 volts while the starter is engaged and the engine will run but with a bad resistor the coil will not get any voltage when the key is returned to the run position and the engine will stop running.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

I have 2 questions reading this. you might have to give us a detailed discription of how it starts.
Do you 'ingage the starter' with the gearshift lever? If not, but the starter responds to a key switch, you have a very incorrectly wired tractor. Will and can work, but dangerous if not in neutral.
If the starter is operated with the gearshift, but the ignition wire is powered from a small toggle on the dash... I bet you have a 'detaunt'? toggle switch, so when flipped, it returns to open wire again. Hard to notice on the little ones, and if you pulled it out of a bin at the hardware store... a previous customer might have threw you a curve... OR someone rewired this tractor with a solinoid that went bad, can you post pictures???