Starter issues.

[4020 tractor nut]

Hi, I recently bought a Ford backhoe/loader machine. I think a 3500 model. Diesel. Starter smoked and battery was bad. I replaced both. Now when I turn the key the starter does not activate. I have no voltage to the solenoid. Tractor is in neutral. Can anyone give me some ideas?
I want to make sure the starter works before I put the fuel filters back on.
Thanks, Eric

 

[Bern]

Hi, I recently bought a Ford backhoe/loader machine. I think a 3500 model. Diesel. Starter smoked and battery was bad. I replaced both. Now when I turn the key the starter does not activate. I have no voltage to the solenoid. Tractor is in neutral. Can anyone give me some ideas?
I want to make sure the starter works before I put the fuel filters back on.
Thanks, Eric

You either have a bad neutral safety switch or an open circuit somewhere. Get out your test light and start poking around.

 

[showcrop]

As Bern posted you need to trouble shoot. Use your test light to see where you do and do not have voltage.

 

[4020 tractor nut]

I tested the neutral safety switch by the gear shifter and it is good. Is there also a switch associated with the shuttle lever.
Do you have to have the diesel fuel filters on the tractor and fuel in them for the starter circuit to be working? It is difficult to trace wires with them in place, so I was testing the starter with them off. Thanks.

 

[Eman85]

Start at the beginning, check the battery and the cables on both ends. No voltage to the solenoid?, does that mean no voltage on the smaller trigger wire? You say you checked the NS switch so I'm assuming you have power going into the switch and back out when in neutral and attempting to start. Fuel filters have nothing to do with starter circuit. Any chance in doing this work a wire got crossed or knocked off, that's where I'd look first.

 

[4020 tractor nut]

Hi, When it warms up I will continue checking on these ideas. Thanks

 

[4020 tractor nut]

So, it’s finally warm. 70 today.
I have replaced the fuel filters and wired a new starter button.
I have new injectors to put in but I thought I would run some fuel through the injection pump before I put the injectors in. No fuel. I have fuel to the pump but none out of the pump. What is my next step?

 

[showcrop]

So, it’s finally warm. 70 today.
I have replaced the fuel filters and wired a new starter button.
I have new injectors to put in but I thought I would run some fuel through the injection pump before I put the injectors in. No fuel. I have fuel to the pump but none out of the pump. What is my next step?

go through the step by step bleed procedure again. If it has the same Roosa Master as an 801D has it takes about a day and a half to get it through the pump.

 

[Sean in PA]

go through the step by step bleed procedure again. If it has the same Roosa Master as an 801D has it takes about a day and a half to get it through the pump.

A 3500 should have either a CAV rotary pump or a Simms in-line pump. They are both relatively easy to get the fuel through compared to the earlier models.

@4020 tractor nut - So the starter is now turning the engine? Check the excess fuel return line from the pump. It goes up to each injector and then goes back to the tank. If that line is clogged then the pump won't be ale to work properly.

 

[Sean in PA]

While you're at it, it's probably best that we know which pump it has. If the lines to the injectors are in a linen top of the ump from the front of the pump to the back of the pump, then it's a Simms in-line pump. If the injector lines are all connected at the rear of the pump around the circular housing, then it is a CAV rotary pump. If the problem is not the excess fuel return line, which is common to both, we need to know which pump it is to give further recommendations.

 

[4020 tractor nut]

Hi,
I have a CAV pump.The fuel return lines are clear and disconnected. The lines to the injectors are disconnected as well.
Injectors are out. I wanted to flush out the old fuel before putting in the new injectors.
The starter button I put in works great and the starter works just fine.
What position should the fuel shut off valve on top be in?
Thanks!

 

[Jim.ME]

Hi,
I have a CAV pump.The fuel return lines are clear and disconnected. The lines to the injectors are disconnected as well.
Injectors are out. I wanted to flush out the old fuel before putting in the new injectors.
The starter button I put in works great and the starter works just fine.
What position should the fuel shut off valve on top be in?
Thanks!

For the injection pump to deliver fuel to the injector lines, the fuel shutoff needs to be in the run position.

 

[4020 tractor nut]

For the injection pump to deliver fuel to the injector lines, the fuel shutoff needs to be in the run position.

Hi,How do I know the run position? Is there a schematic?

 

[Sean in PA]

You should have the shutoff cable from the handle on the dash connected to the shutoff lever on the pump. It looks similar to a a choke cable and handle on a gas engine model. You push the handle in to be in the run position and pull it out to shutoff the fuel so that the engine stops. I believe that the lever needs to be toward the front of the tractor to be in the run position, as that is where the cable would move it when you push in on the handle.

 

[Destroked 450]

The fuel stop lever at the front of the pump should be forward to run, moving the lever back aka pulling the cable out stops the engine
If the tractor has been setting for a while the metering valve could be stuck
With the lever forward lightly tap on the side of the pump body, do not hit on the top cover or you could end up with a leaking top gasket

 

[4020 tractor nut]

I was pretty sure I had the fuel shut off in the correct position. I agree it should be forward.
I am probably going to have the pump rebuilt I have no fuel going through the pump..

 

[4020 tractor nut]

You should have the shutoff cable from the handle on the dash connected to the shutoff lever on the pump. It looks similar to a a choke cable and handle on a gas engine model. You push the handle in to be in the run position and pull it out to shutoff the fuel so that the engine stops. I believe that the lever needs to be toward the front of the tractor to be in the run position, as that is where the cable would move it when you push in on the handle.

That's what I thought. Thanks!

 

[Destroked 450]

Have you tried tapping on the side of the pump, if the metering valve is stuck sometimes that whil shake it loose
As when bleeding the pump the throttle lever should be 3/4 to full throttle position

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

Did you bleed the air from the new filters? Which new fuel filters did you install? Did you verify that you had fuel flow from the tank to the filter base? And if you had fuel in do, you have fuel flow from the filter to the pump? I do not have time to go into all the details here but, the correct filters and o'ring placement is critical on this system.

 

[Sean in PA]

I have replaced the fuel filters and wired a new starter button.

A 3500 should not have a starter button. It should have a start position on the key switch.