D15 starter

[Indiana D15II]

I have just acquired a 1964 D15 from the original owner. It only has 3800 hours and has always been garaged. I have known the original owner for several years and that this tractor has always started and ran fine. I installed new plug wires, plugs and points as it had been several years, at least, so it started and ran even better. Anyway, a few days ago the tractor started right up as usual but was perhaps a little impatient and immediately pushed the choke in and the tractor died, but when I tried to restart it the starter only “clicked.” Thinking I must have a bad connection I proceeded to make sure all battery cables were clean and tight but still nothing. I took the battery to a local shop and they said it was fine with all cells OK and fully charged. I reinstalled the battery and then made sure that all connections to the solenoid and starter were clean and tight and that the solenoid worked; still nothing but a click from the starter. I then jumped around the solenoid just to make sure that the solenoid was not he problem; still just a click.



I became concerned that the motor had somehow gotten stuck and that the starter couldn’t crank the motor, but I could rock the tractor and make the motor rock too so I assumed that the motor was not stuck. I then tried to pull the tractor to start it but this didn’t seem to work either-I grew up on a farm and pulling a tractor to get it started was not an uncommon task-as the motor did not want to spin. Now I need to add that I think the clutch may have been slipping but not sure as the tires would turn but not the motor. I don’t know if the torque converter has anything to do with the inability to pull start the tractor but either position of the converter made a difference.



So then I decided to remove the starter to see if it were locked up or if it needed to have the brushes replaced. The task of removing the starter looked rather straightforward. I noted that there was a large locking bolt on the right side of the motor just ahead of the starter and I assumed this locked the starter to the motor, however, removing this bolt, tapping the starter with a hammer while trying to pry up with a pry bar did not result in any movement or removal of the starter. At this point I stopped any efforts to remove the starter since I didn’t want to chance breaking something.



If anyone could shed any light on possible trouble shooting and/or suggestions for removing the starter your help would be most appreciated. Please help.
 

[old]

Those starters like that can be a pain to pull out. I've never worked on a D-15 but from what you saying it sounds like the same sort of starter a WD, WD45, B and C have. What you need to do is take that bolt all the way out. Then if you can turn the starter just a little side to side and pull back at the same time. If you can't get it to turn you may need to find a big pipe wrench or even an oil filter wrench to get it to turn. It will not turn very much say maybe a 1/2 inch either way but thats enough to loose them up
Hobby farm

 

[Indiana D15II]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did completely remove the bolt but did not try turning the unit as you suggested so will give that a try.
 

[old]

What happens is they rust in place and by turning it a little you brake that rust loose.
 

[Mike in Ohio]

I don't have a d15 either but if is a little bit rusted in place, maybe it is not grounding properly. If that is the case I would think removing it and cleaning out the mounting hole and the mounting surface of the starter might solve your problem. Good luck and have fun with your new tractor. Mike
 

[Eldon (WA)]

Those starters can get stuck in the hole real easy.....and driving them out can be tough. Make sure you don't get it cocked a little because it will wedge in place. Also be careful of the nose cone, they are expensive!
 

[Dick L]

I have had starters lock up and they would not move until unlocked. To unlock I rock back ward on the rear tires with the tractor in its highest forward gear. On smaller tractors I hook a chain on the drawbar and jerk backwards until it unlocks. Might not be your problem but make sure the engine will turn over by hand to be sure. Turning the engine backwards will unlock a locked starter.
 

[J.T.]

I once had a D14 with the exact same problem...turned out the starter wasn't disengaging...not sure if there is a spring inside the starter which helps it release or if it could've been rebuilt but a few light taps with a hammer to the starter is all it took to make it release and then the tractor would turn over once again.