Ford 2000 starting problem.

[City boy in the country]

I was mowing with my "74" 2000 3cyl. gas tractor and I stalled it backing up a hill. On trying to re-start it the remote (not on the starter)solenoid would only make noise, so I replaced it with a new one, SAME thing, just noise . A friend thought the battery might be low so I tried to jump it and when I was hooked up and turned the key the + battery post on the tractor started sparking like crazy where the jumper was hooked up.
Whats going on ?

Ken

 

[Jerry/MT]

Are you sure you were jumping the battery correctly? + to + and - on the good battery to a tractor ground(for a 12v negative ground system on the tractor). Are you sure that you hooked the solenoid up correctly( if that"s what you mean by "remote".)

Make sure that your battery terminals are clean and not covered with corrosion.

 

[rrlund]

I'm guessing it's the latter. If it has a bolt on terminal end instead of a soldered end,it's no doubt loose/corroded where it clamps to the cable. That would cause it to arc when you jump it and try the starter.

 

[Farm boy in the country]

Jerry,

Received your reply last night and I just came in and it was the positive battery cable. I guess I didn't look close enough at it yesterday. Well I have a new solenoid now and an old one for back up !!!
Thanks again,
Ken

 

[Farm boy in the country]

Jerry,
Thanks a bunch, I just came in and it was a loose connection on the positive battery cable.The arc when I tried to jump it was a good clue for you because you nailed it !
It started right up, did not even have to jump it.You know 20 years ago I would of checked that right off , old age !!!
$11.00 on a new selenoid, oh well !

Ken