John Deere 1020 Gas Starting Issues

[IceChicken]

Hello Everyone. I am new to this forum. I signed up hoping that someone here could help point me in the right direction.

I have a John Deere 1020 (Gas) tractor that is having issues turning over.

Once I get it to run it runs great, but If I try to start it, I just get a faint click from the solenoid but the starter motor won't turn the engine over. The Battery is new and fully charged. I have replaced the Ignition switch, and the starter, but it still has the same issue. Almost as if the starter doesn't have enough torque to turn it over.

I loosened the starter and pulled it out about 1/2 of an inch to keep it disengaged from the fly wheel. and it kicks over with authority. Slide it back into position and it can't spin the fly wheel. About one in 30 attempts it will turn over. sometimes more often, but sometimes it won't turn over at all.

I thought about using a torque wrench to turn the engine over to check for excessive drag, but I don't know how much torque would be typically required.

I saw a post on another web sight about a hydraulic lock up that can ocure with this tractor, but there were no specifics.

As a last ditch question, does anyone know about an aftermarket starter that would be gear reduced for higher torque?

I appreciate any help.

 

[Blue Jay]

Use a volt meter from the lug on the starter and the positive post on the battery (not the cable clamp), I would expect maybe 2 to 3 volts, if you get a high reading move the probe to nte next connection closer to the starter. If that checks ok do the same thing to the the ground side.

 

[Hotflashjr]

Ground cables...

Are you using the old metal strap to the sheet metal fire wall? Change that out to a 0 gauge ground wire. Run it to the starter mounting bolt. Make sure the bolt is good and clean of rust. I can't remember the length needed now off the top of my head from my 1020 gas. I cannot tell you for sure this will solve your problem but it will not hurt anything to do this if you have not already. Really improved the starter spin speed on my 1020 gas.

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

Along with the other suggestions for a solid ground, with quality cables, and clean connections, try fully depressing the clutch when starting. If the same slow/no starter spinning, remove the starter and have it tested. Had a similar situation on my 66 1020. Slow starter speed, intermittent quick starting. Rebuilt the starter, problem solved. This was after replacing cables, battery clamps, and cleaning ground connections. The starter was dragging the voltage down enough, the spark was weak or non-existent. The problem was exaggerated when it was cold outside. IMHO, I'd keep the JD starter, it was built for the application.

 

[Lee B]

A test for decent electrical connections include the operation system itself. You have the ignition switch and neutral safety switch which can both cause so much resistance that you have next to nothing at the starter solenoid to activate the solenoid. It makes a feeble a noise and then nothing is that symptom and that sure sounds just like what you got.

After insuring that the tractor is in neutral, use a screwdriver and short between the battery cable on the solenoid to the minor activating terminal. If it now turns the engine over like a dream you might look into the neutral safety switch by shorting it while using the key. End of the day, some often will add on a ford type starter solenoid that bypasses this ignition switch/neutral safety switch weakness. That system now activates the ford solenoid which then activates the starter solenoid strongly. This does work and you may need to do that instead of re-harness the entire tractor with new ignition/neutral safety switches.

It's a simple test with the screwdriver but keep in mind, many have died doing this. Make sure it's in neutral.