fourwheelhorseman 279 #1 Posted August 4 after much wheeling and dealing I was able to horse trade for a nice “ looking” C160 auto with hydro lift. It’s from 1976 according to the engine code and tractor serial number. Anyhow I even bartered for the fella to deliver it nearly 75 miles away. Anyhow, he sent videos of it running, he never tested the hydro transmission nor lift.. which I found odd. I honestly think he knew absolutely nothing about it. The tractor came without a battery and I noticed it had been rewired right off the bat, but it ran in the videos correct? Anyhow, I installed a battery immediately and upon doing so I smelled a familiar smell of wiring getting hot.. which prompted me to start feeling around the wrong for warmth.. well I found it and started to undo the battery, it took me a short time to do so, but in that short time the wiring at the switch and factory plug was ruined. Luckily for me I have an extra wiring harness for a 160. Anyhow, I also noticed a blown head gasket on the tractor. All fluids are clean, but low. So in short I got a neat tractor that will soon run… but it about burnt down my shop! lol I ordered an ignition switch for it already and will begin installing g the new harnes this week. I’ll also show pics later. Anyone else ever have issues with a bad wiring job? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,834 #2 Posted August 4 I had a tractor short out on my kid at a plow day. It was in the middle of the field when magic smoke started pluming out. Luckily, the battery was on wing nuts and I could spin them off quick. I recall yelling at her to get away, then later reminding her she did nothing wrong, I was yelling for her safety if the battery blew. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,404 #3 Posted August 4 17 minutes ago, fourwheelhorseman said: Anyone else ever have issues with a bad wiring job? Many. MANY. times..... And congrats on the C160 Automatic! Looking forward to seeing pics. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,998 #4 Posted August 4 You are slipping @ebinmaine, You let that one get taken by @fourwheelhorseman. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,404 #5 Posted August 4 3 minutes ago, 8ntruck said: You are slipping @ebinmaine, You let that one get taken by @fourwheelhorseman. I got enough here.... for now. (7??) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moonshine*Connoisseur 435 #6 Posted August 4 If it has an ammeter, check it out. They are known to short and could cause wiring to melt and start a fire. I would recommend replacing it anyways with a voltmeter, though wired differently but simple. Good find on that C160, such an awesome capable tractor. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #7 Posted August 4 So a question, I’m taking my time and thinking about the rewire job ahead of me, trying to understand why this dumb thing had a melt down, in doing so . I’m noticing a slight difference between my 8spd and my auto, the 8 speed starter solenoid is hooked up the opposite of my automatic, would that cause an issue? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,170 #8 Posted August 4 16 minutes ago, fourwheelhorseman said: So a question, I’m taking my time and thinking about the rewire job ahead of me, trying to understand why this dumb thing had a melt down, in doing so . I’m noticing a slight difference between my 8spd and my auto, the 8 speed starter solenoid is hooked up the opposite of my automatic, would that cause an issue? The solenoid is just a switch. It is operated by an electrical input which closes a pair of heavy duty contacts. The position of the wire to the battery can be on either side. A wire from the side that the battery is connected to will go to the amp meter (which I would get rid of) and then on to the ignition switch "B" terminal. I would strongly recommend installing a 30 Amp fuse at the point that this wire exits the solenoid to protect your wiring. A volt meter can be used in place of the amp meter by simply attaching it to the wire that feeds the light switch. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,209 #9 Posted August 4 19 minutes ago, 953 nut said: A volt meter can be used in place of the amp meter by simply attaching the red wire or “+” terminal it to the wire that feeds the light switch and the black wire or “-“ terminal to a convenient ground. Just giving you a boost, there 953! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,209 #10 Posted August 4 51 minutes ago, fourwheelhorseman said: So a question, I’m taking my time and thinking about the rewire job ahead of me, trying to understand why this dumb thing had a melt down, in doing so . I’m noticing a slight difference between my 8spd and my auto, the 8 speed starter solenoid is hooked up the opposite of my automatic, would that cause an issue? Extremely unlikely, but if you can post pics of the two solenoids we can be sure. The most commonly seen solenoids on WHs has two “heavy” terminals (which are interchangeable) and two “light” terminals (which are interchangeable). So if the only difference is that the battery cable and starter cable are on different “heavy” terminals, no issue. It the only difference is that the wire to the clutch pedal interlock and the wire to ground are on different “light” terminals, no issue. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,404 #11 Posted August 4 @fourwheelhorseman Have you narrowed down what wire was the hot 🔥 smoking one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,170 #12 Posted August 4 23 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Just giving you a boost, there 953! My presumption was that he would read and follow the instructions when installing the meter perhaps. Thanks for filling in the blanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,404 #13 Posted August 4 1 minute ago, 953 nut said: My presumption was that he would read and follow the instructions when installing the meter perhaps. Thanks for filling in the blanks. A reasonable thought.... But I've bought volt meters that don't have instructions. 🤔😕 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #14 Posted August 5 22 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: @fourwheelhorseman Have you narrowed down what wire was the hot 🔥 smoking one? No, I’m going back out to the shop tomorrow and I’ll take some pictures of the solenoids and show you guys, my assumption is that it started at the ignition switch, I’ve ordered a new one, as well as a volt meter. I think somewhere in this old horses life it’s been rewired as they were all yellow at the key switch, when I unplugged the ignition switch there was a bunch of grass/ debris between the switch and plug.. I can’t think that grass would be much of a conductor. Anyhow I’m fortunate enough to have an extra wiring harness that I pulled from a donor 160 a year or so ago. I’ll report back tomorrow evening. Thanks to all you guys who posted great information. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,170 #15 Posted August 5 11 hours ago, fourwheelhorseman said: I’ve ordered a new one, as well as a volt meter. Buy a fuse holder while you are at it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,040 #16 Posted August 5 42 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Buy a fuse holder while you are at it. And get one with a 30 amp capacity. You can replace the 30 amp fuse for a smaller one. These have heavier wire leads and a stronger spring for a more positive fuse contact. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,813 #17 Posted August 5 22 hours ago, fourwheelhorseman said: Anyone else ever have issues with a bad wiring job? 22 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Many. MANY. times..... Thats where I always start with a new to me. I inspect & rework all wiring including batt testing. 'Sides about the only thing I am really good at. Rewire the tractor and add fuses in battery mains/accessories as required if none shown in manual. Double check ig switch for shorts. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,813 #18 Posted August 5 12 hours ago, fourwheelhorseman said: ignition switch, I’ve ordered a new one, Good move... the harness can be easily had as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #19 Posted August 5 One last question and I never thought of this, but what size diameter is the common WH ammeter? I ordered a volt meter and it is 2” in diameter I believe… I’m not home to measure the one that is currently in the project tractor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,404 #20 Posted August 5 4 hours ago, fourwheelhorseman said: One last question and I never thought of this, but what size diameter is the common WH ammeter? I ordered a volt meter and it is 2” in diameter I believe… I’m not home to measure the one that is currently in the project tractor. You're good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #21 Posted August 8 So, according to the wiring diagram that has been provided for a. 1976 c160, this plug is wrong.. unless I’m missing something? I can post a certain amount of photos, but ill post what I can. Thanks in advance! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #22 Posted August 8 Here she is in all her unwired glory! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,404 #23 Posted August 8 4 minutes ago, fourwheelhorseman said: I can post a certain amount of photos If you become a Supporter you can post all of em. You can also downsize your pics. (I don't know how).... What's that plug for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fourwheelhorseman 279 #24 Posted August 8 27 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: If you become a Supporter you can post all of em. You can also downsize your pics. (I don't know how).... What's that plug for? How do I become a supporting member? And that’s the plug that goes to my ignition switch. I should have stated that originally. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,209 #25 Posted August 8 (edited) 5 minutes ago, fourwheelhorseman said: How do I become a supporting member? Click here Edited August 8 by Handy Don 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
