Workmaster 641 Cranking Issue

[scott3410]

I have a Ford Workmaster 641 that I inherited from my dad (he knew the thing front and back). He converted it to a 12V system years ago. A few months ago it developed an issue cranking. When I turn the key on, the red indicator light comes on. When I hit the push button to start, I get one click and then nothing else. And the red indicator light goes off immediately (while the key is still on). If I disconnect a terminal on the battery and then reconnect it, the indicator light will come back on and I can repeat the repeat the process with the same results. I replaced the battery first. Then I replaced the solenoid, since I had an extra one.

Of note, right before this situation started I was running the tractor and the starter came on randomly without me hitting any buttons. I assume that was a fried solenoid, so I replaced it. Now I have the situations described above.

I'm nearing the end of my limited knowledge. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks!

 

[Jim L WA]

The "click" and then nothing is very typical of loose, corroded or otherwise dirty battery connections. Check that out first, both ends of both cables and if no help then come back.

 

[showcrop]

The light and then the click indicates enough current to light a light but not enough to turn the starter. 98 times out of 100, and this comes up 100 times a year, it is due to perfectly clean cable ends not being clean enough to allow enough current to flow.

 

[scott3410]

Thanks to you both for your suggestions.

I went through all of the connections on the battery, solenoid, starter, and the ground to the frame and cleaned and tightened everything. Problem continued exactly as before. But then I took the battery out and got up under the dash to check the remaining connections. There is a terminal ground block of sorts up under there where the key switch connects all of the power for the tractor (the leads from the key switch connect to each side of the terminal). When I pushed on those connections one side was loose and broke off. All of the wires are still connected on that side of the terminal but it looks like the back of the terminal was exposed and was touching the frame (grounding out everything) since the terminal was broken. I pushed the group of wires to the side a little to where it will not touch the frame and wrapped in electrical tape. Now, everything works perfectly! I'll probably try to find a replacement for the broken terminal in case it happens again. But I will most likely leave well enough alone until it poses another problem.