John Deere 50

[4Hansen]

John Deere 50 won't start. Battery is charged but when you hit the start it won't click - nothing. Lights will turn on. Where is the starter relay? What steps to take?

 

[wore out]

John Deere 50 won't start. Battery is charged but when you hit the start it won't click - nothing. Lights will turn on. Where is the starter relay? What steps to take?

What's "the rest of the story", when did it last start?

As it left the factory, there was no "starter relay", there's a mechanical switch 20a or 20b on the starter that's operated by a linkage operated by the foot operated "pedal" that engages the starter.

The contacts in the switch and on the starter can wear away causing what you are experiencing. Starter contact is #21.

 

[4Hansen]

The flood of 2024 in Rock Valley, IA covered the engine. We were able to get it started after quite a bit of work on it. Started in the fall of 2024 twice (just before harvest). Ran for a bit both times. Disconnected the battery for the winter. Unable to get it started now.
Thank you for your help.

 

[rustred]

I would presume u checked the cable ends and cleaned them. Many times the starter switch terminals get worn and then nothing and u have to push extra hard on it. But them terminals can be turned around to a new spot. U can pull that starter switch off and look inside it to see the contacts. T

 

[4Hansen]

When the starter switch is turned on, all of the lights come on. Is there a trick to pulling off the starter switch? How do you turn the terminals to a new spot?
thank you

 

[wore out]

When the starter switch is turned on, all of the lights come on. Is there a trick to pulling off the starter switch? How do you turn the terminals to a new spot?
thank you

The starter is inside a chamber beneath the tractor and operated by a foot pedal which engages a mechanical switch mounted to the top of the starter. Whether the ignition switch is on or off the starter should crank the engine when the pedal is depressed. With the ignition switch "off" the engine will crank but not start.

You state the tractor was in water up to the engine, so the starter would have been in water.

Most likely it and the starter switch are a rusted mess, maybe even still some water in the starter.

ASSUMING the battery(s) is "good" and the cables are good up top the problem has to be in the starter or switch on top of it.

It's a nasty job to "drop" the starter and it's HEAVY, but that's likely what will need to be done.

 

[Rich'sToys]

When the starter switch is turned on, all of the lights come on. Is there a trick to pulling off the starter switch? How do you turn the terminals to a new spot?
thank you

You're referring to the ignition switch. The starter switch is located on the starter itself--no. 20A or 20B in the diagram wore out posted above. As mentioned, you'll have to drop the starter to get at it.

 

[maqbill]

The starter is inside a chamber beneath the tractor and operated by a foot pedal which engages a mechanical switch mounted to the top of the starter. Whether the ignition switch is on or off the starter should crank the engine when the pedal is depressed. With the ignition switch "off" the engine will crank but not start.

You state the tractor was in water up to the engine, so the starter would have been in water.

Most likely it and the starter switch are a rusted mess, maybe even still some water in the starter.

ASSUMING the battery(s) is "good" and the cables are good up top the problem has to be in the starter or switch on top of it.

It's a nasty job to "drop" the starter and it's HEAVY, but that's likely what will need to be done.

Neighbor's 60 pulled a lot of hayracks across a crick, I was surprised how much water poured out when I loosened the tin cover to pull the starter! Yep, rusted mess.