[LawnBoyAnt]

I posted earlier some pics of my old Craftsman tractor and brought up the sudden problem it had starting. Today I tapped on the starter and it made a slight gurgle. It won't do that anymore though. The tractor has no safety features or fuses.

Craftsman model no. 131.96710

Starter- Delco Remy 01980 9A2 12 volt

Any help would be great

Thanks

 

[D-Dogg]

I'd suggest you remove it from the electrical system and test it unloaded, then bolt it back on, bypass the solenoid and try it again. If it still just hits the starter ring and barely moves the engine, I'd guess your compression release. You can check that by cranking without the plugs in.

No fuses? Hard to believe. Maybe a circuit breaker at least?

 

[LawnBoyAnt]

It has a voltage regulator. Same thing?

 

[D-Dogg]

Nope. Though I would suspect a fuse or circuit breaker on the output of that voltage regulator to protect it from shorts in the electrical system.

If the starter bench tests good, and the engine turns over fairly easily by hand with the plugs in, your compression release is probably good.

If it does not do much when connected to the tractor's wiring then you have a wiring problem. Ignition switch, starter solenoid, grounds, etc may all be bad.

Also, even with an older tractor I find it hard to believe you didn't have at least a seat safety switch. Or were they removed by a PO? In that case, you have the added challenge of figuring out all his wiring mods.

 

[LLigetfa]

Has the battery been ruled out as a culprit? Try boosting it with a known good battery.

 

[Tractor-Holic]

Delco-Remy??..sounds like he has a starter/generator on an old tractor,not a newr permanent magnet starter motor (which are VERY easy to crack or shatter the magnets by tapping on them with a hammer,BTW!)...if its a cenerator type starter it might just have corroded brushes or the commutator might be all gangrene,the voltage regulator is what actually activates the starter portion when you turn the key to start,if the contacts in it are dirty or corroded it wont want to spin over also..
...you need a GOOD fully charged battery to spin these over too,try jumping it with a car battery,it might be the dinky lawn tractor battery hasn't got enough guts left.

 

[LawnBoyAnt]

I feel a little foolish. My dad stopped by my house to take a look at the tractor to. We were looking through it and my dad tapped the voltage regulator with a wrench. It started right up. Thank you for all the suggestions. I love this site!!

 

[engine2quarters]

Tapping with a 'hammer' or a 'wrench' sometimes does fantastic things.

 

[scrat2]

That's what my wife says too! LOL! Anyway,glad you got your tractor running.

 

[Big10]

Probably wouldnt hurt to obtain a points file, take the cover off and run the points a little. Probably need cleaned if there stickin. Disconnect the battery before you do that though otherwise you'll have connection when you dont want it.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I feel a little foolish. My dad stopped by my house to take a look at the tractor to. We were looking through it and my dad tapped the voltage regulator with a wrench. It started right up. Thank you for all the suggestions. I love this site!!

That falls under JES...Justifiable Equipment Slapping...