Yale Forklift electrical problem - no start

[Deb K]

Old Yale Forklift that had been running fine. It was always an easy starter since we got it. I have only done maintenance on fluids. While unloading a truck, it started to miss badly. It stalled and would not restart. There is nothing, no clicking, and no starter noise.

• Good Charged Battery

• Solenoid, replaced with a new one.

• Checked and even replaced the key switch. When the starter and ignition wires are not attached the readings are good.

• Attach either ignition or starter wires to the switch and the numbers drop to a minimal readings for both terminals.

• Testing with the starter wire unattached to the solenoid and checking the readings on the wire from the switch. I continue to get minimal readings until I disconnected the negative wire from the coil to the distributor.

I opened the distributor cap, and it is in need of a tune-up. I need to figure out the engine and or model of this Yale and get the parts for a tune-up.

Can my problem be in the distributor? Could a problem in the distributor cause a short that would prevent the solenoid from getting power from the switch?

Besides the tune-up what else should I investigate?

Any help or ideas ?

Thanks

 

[glennster]

sounds to me like you have a bad ground somewhere. have you checked and cleaned the battery cables? check real close to see if there is corrosion at either end of each battery cable. get a set of jumper cables, hook the ground up to the ground terminal on the battery (the one that goes to the chassis, not the solenoid)(unknown if you are + or - ground) and then clamp the other end of the jumper cable to the starter body or mounting bolt. see if the solenoid will click in now. if so bad ground somewhere. it may also have an interlock kill switch so it will not start in gear, look there also.

 

[noncompos]

Looks like Yale used numerous engines...model #'s in my stuff start with G.

 

[jose bagge]

Is this the Yale forklift that uses the pushrod Mazda truck motor found in the Satok 650G tractor? Some good ignition crossover info available on NAPA sources to keep costs down....

 

[Mathias NY]

We have an old Yale with a Continental engine. There should be a name plate somewhere on the engine to indicate who made it. Parts should be pretty easy to get a hold of.

A tune up might do wonders, include a new coil and points. Not sure why it won't crank over at all though. That should have nothing to do with actually running the engine. It would probably be a good idea to check all your electrical connections. Looking for loose or frayed wires and be sure that the ignition switch is now connected correctly. Good luck.

 

[Deb K]

I tried the trick of by passing the ground (neg) without luck.

This is an old Yale with pneumatic tires. To get to the plugs and find some engine id, I need to remove part of the cab. I have it ready to lift off once I get a second set of hands. Then I will get parts for a tune-up. I will have better access to check for a safety switch.

Now the NAA is down too with a rear axle/ wheel hub issue.

 

[Janicholson]

There is a wire in the system that is not passing current. It might be a large cable (high current) or low current primary wire. You checked the ground to the frame with a jumper, so that is probably not it.
Testing with a meter is not the same as testing with a load. The fact that the ignition coil is able to make it stop passing current. indicates the issue is a wire or connection. It is probably so bad that it doesn't even get hot. With the system turned on (and not working as described) start at the battery non grounded post and follow the voltage until it stops.
Solenoid at starter, or relay) then to the amp meter in a smaller wire, then to the other side of amp meter, then to the ign. Sw etc. It is there, just search in an orderly manor. JimN