641 issue

[BBQChef]

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I haven't had any problems until now.

I recently used my tractor for some heavy work loads clearing top soil for a 40x60 barn that I built. No problems excavating with the fel, other than the occasional overfill on the bucket and the hydraulics wouldn't lift it. But now that the barn is done and I was putting fill into the barn so I can cement the floor, the poor old tractor has finally rebelled against me.

I went to start it and it turned over about three times and that was it. Nothing happens while pressing the starter switch. Starter does nothing. So, I started checking things. Using my shop manual, and spending a lot of time, and a tiny bit of cash, it still won't start. Most all of my wiring was very old and had cracks and bare spots in several places, and since I had been wanting to redo the wiring, I figured now is as good a time as any.

I now have all new wiring, a new starter switch, a new key switch, and a new starter solenoid. Still won't engage the starter when I press the plunger switch. I can start it by jumping the solenoid but that's getting to be a pain. I have quadruple checked all my wiring and connections and can't figure it out.

Another thing it does periodically is while it is running, it just quits as if I turned the key off, but I didn't. I get off and jump the solenoid and it fires right up and will run anywhere from 2 minutes to 2 hours or until I turn it off. Doesn't matter if I am working it hard or not.

Coil was replaced 2 years ago and it is getting power to it once the key is on. Tank is half full of gas and fuel valve is open.

Any thoughts on what could be wrong? Why the starter switch won't trip the solenoid and engage the starter?

It has been converted to 12 volt, and I have a shop manual I ordered from this site. The old wiring was wired according to the schematic, and the new wiring is as well.

I'm stumped.

 

[showcrop]

Are you using a meter or at least a test light while checking the wiring? Don't be condemning poor innocent components just because the solenoid is not closing. Condemn them only if they Have Voltage to them but don't work.

 

[souNdguy]

1, you may have the wrong solenoid. generic 'hot to activate' solenoid will not work with the big thumb switch. you have to have
the correct solenoid that you can activate by providing it ground. either an internally hot one like the 8n used would work, or
the correct isolated base that needs key hot / on and then thumb button pressed for ground.

next, if it turns off like a key was turned off.. the key switch and or wiring could be bad. a jumper wire from battery to coil
will test that. if she won't stall with the jumper, but will stall without it when you jiggle cables or the key.. you know.

 

[BBQChef]

Sound guy, thanks for your advice. It was indeed the wrong solenoid, even though the packaging said it was for 601. I hooked the old one back up and it works fine now with the new plunger button. New solenoid goes back to Napa in the morning.

Thanks again for your help.