IH 444 Starting problems

[Massey_165]

I’ve been trying to get my IH 444 to start with the key, I can jump it from hot on the solenoid post to the start post and it’ll start right up. When I try to start it with the key I’m getting around 7 volts at the solenoid post from key switch, if I take the wire off and check it I’ve got over 12 volts. I took the solenoid a part and cleaned it. Also ran a wire straight from key switch to the start solenoid. Any suggestions or anything else I should try before buying a new starter solenoid?

 

[used red MN]

What does the voltage to the wire/terminal feeding the ignition switch do when you have the key in the start position?

 

[Massey_165]

What does the voltage to the wire/terminal feeding the ignition switch do when you have the key in the start position?

I haven’t check that while trying to start, but without starting it reads 12+ volts

 

[Janicholson]

I’ve been trying to get my IH 444 to start with the key, I can jump it from hot on the solenoid post to the start post and it’ll start right up. When I try to start it with the key I’m getting around 7 volts at the solenoid post from key switch, if I take the wire off and check it I’ve got over 12 volts. I took the solenoid a part and cleaned it. Also ran a wire straight from key switch to the start solenoid. Any suggestions or anything else I should try before buying a new starter solenoid?

A bad connection or rotten wire will provide 12+ volts with no load, or not nearly enough when in a circuit drawing current. The issue is in the wiring. GO there and be happy. Jim

 

[used red MN]

I haven’t check that while trying to start, but without starting it reads 12+ volts

As Jim has said it needs checked when loaded.

 

[Massey_165]

A bad connection or rotten wire will provide 12+ volts with no load, or not nearly enough when in a circuit drawing current. The issue is in the wiring. GO there and be happy. Jim

Ok thanks Jim, I’ll check the wiring more thoroughly.

 

[Massey_165]

What does the voltage to the wire/terminal feeding the ignition switch do when you have the key in the start position?

It reads around 9 volts. What would this mean? I ran a wire straight from the starter solenoid to the key switch also for both the battery and the start wire.

 

[used red MN]

It reads around 9 volts. What would this mean? I ran a wire straight from the starter solenoid to the key switch also for both the battery and the start wire.

So to clarify you also ran a wire to the switch from battery power like the solenoid terminal the battery cable connects to? Did you use at least a 12 ga. wire for this? If your wire was smaller that that you have to find some 12 ga. wire and retest it. If it was 12 ga. and it pulled to 9 volts will say your solenoid windings are bad, drawing to much current.

 

[JimB2]

Could be the clutch safety switch, they have a habit of failing either by going open circuit or with bad contacts passing voltage but not enough current to activate starter solenoid. As a test, you can connect both wires together at the switch just above clutch pedal but don’t leave it that way if you have young children around.

 

[used red MN]

Could be the clutch safety switch, they have a habit of failing either by going open circuit or with bad contacts passing voltage but not enough current to activate starter solenoid. As a test, you can connect both wires together at the switch just above clutch pedal but don’t leave it that way if you have young children around.

Jim, with respect look at his 2nd to last sentence of his OP. That should rule out the clutch switch. Not sure how heavy of a wire he used.

 

[JimB2]

Jim, with respect look at his 2nd to last sentence of his OP. That should rule out the clutch switch. Not sure how heavy of a wire he used.

Oops, I missed that, could be same for Ignition switch.
I spent 50 years troubleshooting mainframe computers and I always had a old analog Triplet meter, 6V and 12V lamp on pigtails as the new digital VOM meters only required micro amps to work and don’t put a load on the circuit. Can be voltage but no useful current flow.

 

[560Dennis]

Suggest doing a voltage drop test .
Here’s a Delco link to follow their procedures

Tech Tip: Checking Voltage Drops | Delco Remy

www.delcoremy.com

 

[Massey_165]

So to clarify you also ran a wire to the switch from battery power like the solenoid terminal the battery cable connects to? Did you use at least a 12 ga. wire for this? If your wire was smaller that that you have to find some 12 ga. wire and retest it. If it was 12 ga. and it pulled to 9 volts will say your solenoid windings are bad, drawing to much current.

I did use 12 gauge, I had an old starter with a newer starter solenoid on it from another tractor, I put the solenoid on it and it fired right up! Thanks for the help!

 

[Massey_165]

Oops, I missed that, could be same for Ignition switch.
I spent 50 years troubleshooting mainframe computers and I always had a old analog Triplet meter, 6V and 12V lamp on pigtails as the new digital VOM meters only required micro amps to work and don’t put a load on the circuit. Can be voltage but no useful current flow.

It was the starter solenoid, I put a different one on it and it fired right up.