Stealth126 54 #1 Posted March 29, 2019 Hey guys, I'm working on a Craftsman tractor for my dad. The battery has over 12 volts. At key turn it drops to 9 volts across the terminals. It is also getting 9 volts across the solenoid at key turn. Also measures 9 volts at the starter at key turn. Any idea what's happening to lose that voltage? First steps? Thanks in advance. Oh. And I need to mention the starter is not engaging at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,577 #2 Posted March 29, 2019 The two things that comes to mind first: Make sure all of your grounds are good. This can be a real bear to do but must be done. As to the battery voltage, resting voltage should be a minimum of 12.45 volts and cranking voltage should be around 10.5 or so but could vary a little bit. Do you have another battery you can swap in that is a known good battery? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,121 #3 Posted March 29, 2019 Load test the battery 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stealth126 54 #4 Posted March 29, 2019 I had another battery on it yesterday. I didn't measure the voltage, but it starts the Wheel Horse every time. Same result. Loud click. No cranking. If turned 3 or 4 times, battery cables start to get hot. Also, I should mention the previous owner claims the solenoid is new. It looks new too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stealth126 54 #5 Posted March 29, 2019 I don't know how to load test. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,628 #6 Posted March 29, 2019 Take a GOOD QUALITY jumper cable from the battery directly to the starter to see if it will turn over. If that works then move the jumper cable back to the load side of the solenoid. Continue to work your way back until the starter won't turn over. Whatever was between the last GOOD result and the first BAD result is your culprit. 6 minutes ago, Stealth126 said: I don't know how to load test. Any auto parts store will load test it for free. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,338 #7 Posted March 29, 2019 Was about to put up a thread about starter solenoid And noticed this thread. So I’m about to buy a new starter solenoid for my tractor. Anything to look for at the parts place when I buy one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stealth126 54 #8 Posted March 29, 2019 Okay. Positive on batter to positive on starter. Ground battery? And other end ground frame? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,628 #9 Posted March 29, 2019 Best to run the battery"-" directly to the engine block. That way if the engine isn't properly grounded you can find out and address that too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,577 #10 Posted March 30, 2019 4 hours ago, The Tool Crib said: Was about to put up a thread about starter solenoid And noticed this thread. So I’m about to buy a new starter solenoid for my tractor. Anything to look for at the parts place when I buy one? Randy if you go to a decent parts place... Tell them it's for an old Ford truck or Jeep. 3 or 4 post really doesn't matter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,628 #11 Posted March 30, 2019 8 hours ago, ebinmaine said: decent parts place. the young punk behind the counter will think a 2010 Ford or Jeep is an old one! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,577 #12 Posted March 30, 2019 10 minutes ago, 953 nut said: the young punk behind the counter will think a 2010 Ford or Jeep is an old one! Ok yeah that's true. Use the word ancient. That should get you back to the 70s. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,121 #13 Posted March 30, 2019 Lowe's HD have garden tractor solenoids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,464 #14 Posted March 30, 2019 If you have cables that are getting hot - those circuits are not working properly and building resistance, which equals heat. Most likely, the ground circuit to the engine is not capable of carrying the needed current - get a proper ground wire to the engine block and a smaller ground wire to one of the mounting bolts on the solenoid. The engine and frame must both be grounded to that battery - or you're wasting your time/money. Do not rely on points of contact like the engine block to frame bolts - there is paint at those points that will not conduct the current flow needed for the starter. Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stealth126 54 #15 Posted March 31, 2019 Okay. I will check all that in the next couple days. In the meantime I hooked jumper cables to positive and negative on the battery, the other end I hooked positive to starter and negative to frame and scraped the paint until it sparked significantly at the frame. The starter didn't budge. I presume the starter is at least one of the problems. Am I on the right track? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,338 #16 Posted March 31, 2019 11 hours ago, pfrederi said: Lowe's HD have garden tractor solenoids. I went today and priced selinoids at O’Reillys and was shocked at the price! 40 bucks! They did have one around 20! Im going to the junk yard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,690 #17 Posted March 31, 2019 Check on eBay, that's where I got mine, I think about 12 bucks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,628 #18 Posted March 31, 2019 Auto Zone has the Ford solenoid in stock for $ 13.99. https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/solenoid-switch/valucraft-solenoid-switch/966566_27788_7969_1356 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,338 #19 Posted March 31, 2019 19 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Auto Zone has the Ford solenoid in stock for $ 13.99. https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/solenoid-switch/valucraft-solenoid-switch/966566_27788_7969_1356 I’ll have to check that out tomorrow. That sounds a bit more in my price range! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
