Can't start, bought new 2 terminal switch

[bahmi]

Have not been able to start the G6200 tractor. So, I figured I'd take off the solenoid wire which connected to the starter switch and jump directly from battery to solenoid terminal. I got a simple 2 pole switch and connected the switch between the battery and the solenoid terminal. No luck, even jumping with my truck produced a weak turning of the engine and with no starting.

I'm guessing this switch is not polarized and you can use it either way and have no problem.

Does this make any sense or have I broken some law of electricity? I was not able to find out what was wrong when trying to start the engine with the standard set up. So, figured I'd go to the battery hot terminal and put the switch between battery and solenoid. Can't believe I can start this thing, makes me crazy.

 

[bahmi]

Forgot to mention some things.

There was a distinct sulfur smell around the battery after 3 seconds of cranking.

Wire from battery to switch, then out of switch by pushing in the button which should have carried power to solenoid wire.

Battery tested 12.65 volts across terminals. Have not checked voltage of small wire on solenoid jack.

 

[Diydave]

First thing I'd do is to test, charge batt, test again. If batt comes up after charging, then I'd move on to checking the wires for corrosion at the ends, etc.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Pull the battery, take it to an automotive store and have it load tested.
Check and clean both ends of both main battery cables.
You don't need anything special, just a scrap of wire jump between the large terminal and the small terminal on the starter if it still won't start you'll need to replace the starter, or possible you have larger issues.

 

[Tooljunkie]

That sulphur smell is hydrogen gas-highly explosive. If you have never blown up a battery, you are in for a treat. Nothing like plastic shrapnel and flying acid to ruin your day. Follow safe boosting procedures.

Two wire switch,capable of handling the amperage the solenoid draws should be no problem, battery positive to solenoid terminal. Proper rings crimped and soldered would be best. A good connection ensures proper pull-in and drive engagement.

Clean battery cables on both ends,especially where ground cable bolts to engine or frame.
A good, new battery is 13.2 volts. It needs a proper load test to determine if its faulty. Or monitor your voltage while cranking.it should be no less than 10 volts if all is good.

 

[bahmi]

No luck yet on the starting dilemma. Some have mentioned that I should make sure the battery ground is good. Not sure if this is a particularly viable
situation.

I jumped my car battery to the tractor battery. Positive terminal to positive terminal and negative of jumper cable is to tractor body with good electrical contact.

The sulfur smell likely indicates the battery is plum shot. It came with the tractor around 5 years ago and is likely over the 5 years old. Still, I would have guessed that with the jump from my truck battery, it would have easily kicked the starter over. Yet, despite this, the starter works incredibly slowly and sluggishly when I push the starter button.

I feel the problem is in the wiring somewhere but as folks realize, some of the wires are rather hidden from view and hard to get at.

I'll try to find the ground on the frame and make sure its clean.
I need to get a new battery, too. Still, makes me wonder if there is a short somewhere.

thanks to all,

 

[Daren Todd]

If the battery is completely toast then you won't be able to get enough juice even jumping it. The battery will take most of the load from the jump vehicle instead of it going to the starter.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Bad battery, will draw a large amount of power, making boositng useless. Have seen it many times. I have tested a thousand or so batteries in my life,there isnt a battery failure i havent seen.if its 5 years old and at alk questionable replace it.
A bad battery will destroy starters and alternators in very short order.

 

[Diydave]

Yeah, and if you jump a dead shorted battery, you can screw up components in the jumping vehicle, a twofer! If you want to be safe, swap in a known good battery, and see what happens...