Starter

[Bastropian]

Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Tractor (51 8n converted to 12v) wont start but I hear clicking in the solenoid. I banged on the starter, it turned over, then clicking in solenoid again, and so on.
It sounds like my original starter is going out.
I have been under the impression that you have to use a 6 volt starter, even after the tractor has been converted to 12 volts.
I saw that this site sells a 12 volt starter for the 8n. Should I go with the 12 volt starter, or the 6 volt one? If I go with the 12 volt, do I need to replace the solenoid and any other parts to go with the new 12 volt starter?
Thanks

 

[souNdguy]

first, make sure the battery cables ends are clean and the cable is good and the ground connection is clean of paint and corrosion. you need heavy 1/0 cables.. not wimpy 4ga cables.

now.. most people like 12v on a 6v starter to get extra rpms to help a tired motor start. unless your engine is rebuilt.. I'd go with 6.. but even that is getting the cart in front of the horse. It might just need brushes.

whichever way you go, you can still use a 6v solenoid too.

soundguy

 

[Mike OH]

Every time I got clicking out of my solenoid it has been a weak battery or dirty connections. Fortunately I've never had a bad starter that produced a clicking noise from the solenoid, so I don't know if one would do that.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

There are two schools of thought when it comes to getting a non-running tractor to start. One way is to just start replacing every part you can get to until it starts or you run out of money. The other way is to take a step-by-step approach to solving the problem, working from most likely to least likely. The trick to fixing these tractors (or trouble shooting any piece of equipment) is to be systematic about it. You need to isolate the problem step by step and work from most likely to least likely. Chances are very good that there is nothing wrong w/ your starter.

The solenoid is making a noise because of low voltage. That is likely caused by:

1. A weak battery (charge it & check it per tip # 49))
2. Dirty grounds/connections (remove the cables & clean the connections)
3. Bad cables or incorrect sized cables (replace them - see tip # 41)
4. Bad ground between the starter & the block. (pull the starter away from the block & clean the mating area - see tip # 36)
50 Tips

 

[Jon Decker]

I recently had this same problem with one of my 8ns

It ended up being bad connections pretty much everywhere. I rewired it and made sure to clean/wire brush every connection during the process. Everything has been great ever since