1862 Starter

[West Valley G]

Howdy to all. Just recently have started to have a few times
I turn the key and can tell the starter is not engaging flywheel.

I have never worked on the starter except to pull it off when working
on engine.

In researching a fix here, it would seem to me it is actually cheaper
to replace the starter with an OEM starter then it is to put a kit in the old one.

Help me out if I am missing something here please.
I am looking at Part # KH-098-12

[garydee]

Test your starter by touching the red (positive) wire from the battery to it to see if it works every time. If it does, the problem is likely one or more of the safety switches (brake and pto) with weak conductivity, causing your starter problem. You can also read the voltage to the starter to see if is below 12 volts when turning the key to the start position.

I added a relay circuit to the starter, which solved my problem. You will find more information about how to wire it up if you search for starter problems in the MTD/CCC section of the site. The relay will function with less voltage, closing the contacts to give you full voltage at the starter. No need to replace any safety switches...

I put the circuit on my 1864 and it never fails to start. Bought 5 relays on e-pay for about $12 bucks. Going to put them on all my cubs this summer. Easy to do!


Sam Mac had good instructions posted for this, plus a simple diagram which I can't seem to add to this post. Perhaps you can find it.

Sam might be able to bring up the post that shows the diagram if he sees this post.

He wrote:

I would add a relay and call it a day. It's only 1 relay with 4 wires.

1: Ground wire (yellow #85)
2: Power from the battery connection on the starter is the best place to connect to. (red #30)
3: The blue wire that goes to the solenoid on the starter now will go to the relay. (blue #86)
4: The green wire will now go to the starter solenoid. (green #87)
The terminal numbers are on the relay.

[Oak]

It sounds like your issue is the screw drive on the end of your starter. Take the starter off and clean the threads with brake cleaner and compressed air and then use some type of dry lube on it so dirt won't stick to it. That's a pretty common issue on the Mag engines.

[West Valley G]

Thanks guys, Gary you got my curiosity up with the relays.
What exactly is the theory behind the relays?

Seeing as how this machine has 1200 hours on it I suspect the
service is overdue on the starter.
Now if a guy could just get to the starter out without taking half the
front end apart.

A wise man would have worked on the starter when he had the
engine out a few years back. Oh well everyday is a new day at school.

Ken

[garydee]

The relay allows full current to flow to the starter. Less voltage is needed to close the contacts on the relay than to activate the starter. Kinda like a poor battery connection on a car. The lights will work, but the starter won't turn over.

If the starter is getting full current but not engaging, probably the solenoid/bendix is at fault. With a tractor that is from the 90's I would say that the starter is pretty tired by now and should be replaced as suggested.

I had the same situation with my 1864. I removed the solenoid and took it apart (very difficult) to flip the contacts to the good side. Turns out the contacts were just fine. When I reinstalled it, it was the same issue not starting. I cracked the plastic on it so I decided to replace it with a new one. Guess what? Same story.

After researching the problem on the OCC site, I discovered a post by Sam Mac for a fix that might solve my problem...which was to use the relay.

I suppose I could have replaced the brake switch, the pto switch and the seat switches and solved the problem, but Sam's solution seemed to be the best (cheapest) option to try...so I did and it works just fine now. Thanks again, Sam Mac!

[daviddaich]

Any idea what to search for to find that post by Sam Mac that provides detailed instructions on how to install the relay? I've struggled with this same problem for years. Replaced the solenoid, etc.. Getting tired of hitting the solenoid with a rubber mallet to get it to kick in.

[Oak]

Here ya go.

https://onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?p=397178

https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=38531

[West Valley G]

So just to make sure I got my ducks in a row in all circumstances.
Is a guy better off rebuilding the starter he has or just going new?

Just trying to cover all the bases before I start pulling things apart.
They didn't make it all that easy to get to? Oh well.

Ken

[daviddaich]

Originally Posted by Oak

Here ya go.

https://onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?p=397178

https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=38531

Thank you! Looks simple, and I already have extra relays from adding accessories to motorcycles.

[Oak]

Originally Posted by West Valley G

So just to make sure I got my ducks in a row in all circumstances.
Is a guy better off rebuilding the starter he has or just going new?

Just trying to cover all the bases before I start pulling things apart.
They didn't make it all that easy to get to? Oh well.

Ken

Is it just not engaging the flywheel? If so I’d just spray it good with brake cleaner and add some lube.