8N Neutral Start Switch

[BJ2016]

Howdy all. My semi redo of my front mount 8N is going pretty good. I am in the middle of installing the 12v conversion kit I bought from YT. The previous 6 volt set up was a typical shade tree hack job by some previous owner. It would start and run, but it had no resistor or terminal block, no volt or ammeter, and of course the oem start button by the shifter was bypassed to a push button on the dash. My question is about the oem neutral start switch. I tend to agree with the majority that says it's really best to make it work. My concern is why it was bypassed. It doesn't have the rod type linkage going thru the wall, it's just a stand alone switch. If it was just defective, thats ok, I can replace it... but what if something was wrong with it underneath the cover? What if the shifter mechanism is broken or the part that tells the switch it's in neutral is boogered up? The old switch is still there, and the tractor runs and shifts fine. Sooooo.... is there a way I can determine if the mechanism will work without removing the cover and shifter? I understand the safety aspect, but dang... if I have to open her up and fix a linkage etc, I would rather opt for just wiring it back up using the aftermarket button on the dash. I have the FO4 book but it doesn't say much about the switch. Surely there is a way to check it out. Thanks, Ray Jones.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 13:13:16 02/23/16) Howdy all. My semi redo of my front mount 8N is going pretty good. I am in the middle of installing the 12v conversion kit I bought from YT. The previous 6 volt set up was a typical shade tree hack job by some previous owner. It would start and run, but it had no resistor or terminal block, no volt or ammeter, and of course the oem start button by the shifter was bypassed to a push button on the dash. My question is about the oem neutral start switch. I tend to agree with the majority that says it's really best to make it work. My concern is why it was bypassed. It doesn't have the rod type linkage going thru the wall, it's just a stand alone switch. If it was just defective, thats ok, I can replace it... but what if something was wrong with it underneath the cover? What if the shifter mechanism is broken or the part that tells the switch it's in neutral is boogered up? The old switch is still there, and the tractor runs and shifts fine. Sooooo.... is there a way I can determine if the mechanism will work without removing the cover and shifter? I understand the safety aspect, but dang... if I have to open her up and fix a linkage etc, I would rather opt for just wiring it back up using the aftermarket button on the dash. I have the FO4 book but it doesn't say much about the switch. Surely there is a way to check it out. Thanks, Ray Jones.

onnect a 12v bulb between the battery & the terminal on that safety start switch. Place shifter in neutral & push switch....light should illuminate. Place shifter in any gear & push switch....light should NOT illuminate.

 

[Money Pit]

JMORs way wil tell you the switch is doing what it should no doubt. a quicker and easier way but not 100% reliable as JMORs way is put the tran in neutral and push the button down. when put in any gear the button should not push down as far. on my tractor its a pretty noticeable differance.

 

[R Geiger]

If you find that the switch itself is bad, you will have to remove the top cover to replace the switch and you will be able to inspect the lockout parts when you have it off. really not that much of a job taking the top off.

 

[old]

The thing is your way only tests the neutral safety where as JMORs way test the safety and the switch at the same time. If the switch it self is bad you can not find that with out a light bulb test or a ohm meter test

 

[HFJ]

Surely there is a way to check it out.

with all due respect to the gurus here, i believe the correct response to this is:

There [i:c581dec983]is[/i:c581dec983] a way. And don't call me Shirley.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 17:35:07 02/23/16)

Surely there is a way to check it out.

with all due respect to the gurus here, i believe the correct response to this is:

There [i:3f0c8d75ec]is[/i:3f0c8d75ec] a way. And don't call me Shirley.

i:3f0c8d75ec]Surely[/i:3f0c8d75ec] he jests, as it has been thoroughly covered.