'87 340B(w/loader) Starting Intermittent?

[jgp12000]

First of all, my ignition switch has always been hard to turn, I am not sure if that's normal? It seems to have gotten worse over time? I have a new battery & yesterday after a no start condition, my buddy tried to jump the starter straight from the battery & it turned over. So he had to go & I was looking to see how to get to the Starter solenoid & for the heck of it tried to start the tractor & it fired right up. While it was running I scraped the driveway with the box blade. Shut it off & hooked up the finish mower to cut some. It started right up 3 more times like normal. Then I parked it shut if off & it would not start.

With the loader the starter is harder to get to & I only see 2 mounting bolts so far. On the web it appears the starter solenoid comes with the starter?
I ordered a new ignition switch anyhow to see if it's easier to turn & it hasn't arrived yet. Are there any good videos or photos on testing the solenoid & removing the starter on a 340B w/loader?

 

[Eman85]

Does it have a neutral safety switch? Before blind guessing use a voltmeter or test light and do some dianosing. Trace the voltage from the switch through the NS switch to the starter solenoid. Do this BEFORE installing the new switch. Many new parts are junk and you can end up making new problems.

 

[sotxbill]

Some of the replacement switches had a horribly hard spring in them, to the point of bending or breaking keys, so yes, you could have one of those. As Eman said, the neutral safety switch can cause it not to start, so you may have to wiggle the "hi-low" shifter back and forth on some models to get it let it start. On some, the safety switch was on the clutch, AND/or the pto had to be off, etc, so that safety feature could cause it not to start. The starter has 3 bolts into the engine, one in the back that can be very difficult to remove as you cant see it. There is a small spade lug on the starter solenoid closest to the engine, that is used to turn on the starter... I would try jumping it to power first to see if the starter then energizes before trying to replace a starter. BUT.. you absolutely must be neutral or the tractor will run over you if you jump the starter this way. If the starter works, the the problem is either the ignition switch or neutral safety circuit. New tractors had a much more complex safety circuit, some including safety relays. Loader tractors can be very difficult to work on... with the loader installed.

 

[jgp12000]

Thanks for the replies,yes my neutral safety switch is bad I have had it jumpered for awhile.I verified with a hot light I am getting voltage from the ignition switch to the solenoid.I got the starter off easy enough.There were only the 2 easy bolts in.I ordered a starter from Amazon & am getting the missing bolt today.Starter arrives tomorrow & I will update.
I am
Going to replace the ignition switch & neutral switch after the start issue is resolved.

 

[sotxbill]

Thanks for the replies,yes my neutral safety switch is bad I have had it jumpered for awhile.I verified with a hot light I am getting voltage from the ignition switch to the solenoid.I got the starter off easy enough.There were only the 2 easy bolts in.I ordered a starter from Amazon & am getting the missing bolt today.Starter arrives tomorrow & I will update.
I am
Going to replace the ignition switch & neutral switch after the start issue is resolved.

use painter tape or paper tape to hold the back bolt in the socket to get it started.. then when its in, just tear the paper tape off when removing the socket. If you use good tape, your socket stays forever on the starter.

 

[jgp12000]

I installed the starter today & I have used the painter's tape trick before as well. I have owned the '87 340B for 11 years & it has never started this easy ! It had started dragging like a bad battery in February & I bought a new battery to no avail. Maybe it's phycological ,but the original switch seems easier to turn now so I am returning the new one to Amazon. Thank you for all your help ! Starter link below:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q8LSQ5G