Finicky starting on my son's 140

ggsteve · May 27, 2018

So today we had a cookout at my son's house and we got a chance to mess with a 140 we picked up for him in the fall. We put in a new ignition switch. Nothing. So we swapped out the battery. All we could do was get a click and we thought the starter might be bad, but we knew it was working when we bought it in the fall. Then we determined we had installed the newer battery backwards. :banghead:

Once we reversed the cables we began to get some life. The starter would engage for a second when the new ignition switch was "fiddled with". Then we got a crank. If the ignition switch is cranked to the start position, then slowly brought back about half way to "run", she sometimes cranks and occasionally even starts, then runs great when started. The problem is the intermittent nature of the starting.

My WAG is that I bought the wrong ignition switch. I just guessed on the switch when I bought it on Ebay, it was $12. Deere wanted $35 and I had to have the old switch with me so I took a chance. It fits the wiring harness perfectly, but as I said, turning the switch to full "start" produces nothing until the switch is almost back to the "run" position.

Any thoughts? Once we figure this out my son will have one heck of a tractor!

EDIT: Here is the link to the switch I bought

BOSOX · May 27, 2018

I've found that the ignition switches may look alike but are internally (wired) different from one tractor to the next. Might be worth taking the hit and buying one from JD.

Smalljob · May 27, 2018

Sounds more like a defective switch. I would not expect the wrong switch to behave as you described.

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N2 Tractors · May 28, 2018

This would be my guess from the sound of how the switch is acting. Can you feel any clicks between run and start as if there is another position. Some of the Craftsman tractors have an extra position for accessories like lights. Basically is the switch a three position switch consisting of off/on/start with the start position being a momentary spring loaded position which will not stay engaged when you let off the key ?

nick4030 · May 27, 2018

I bought a defective switch when I restored my 140, it did exactly as you describe. I bought a second new one and all is well.

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ggsteve · May 28, 2018

Thanks Nick. Did you buy the same switch a second time, or try another brand/vendor? Do you remember where you got the working switch? Was it from mother Deere?

PA318Guy · May 28, 2018

Nick is this a little deja vu or what? Hmmm..... JD or aftermarket??????? I think you got a bad switch, I'd try a different aftermarket brand, and then if that doesn't work.....then head to JD for one! BTW my VR seems to be working OK!!

N2 Tractors · May 28, 2018

Not sure what year the tractor is but I just purchased this deere switch on ebay for a decent price.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHN-DEERE...312-314-316/200711680682?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

ggsteve · May 28, 2018

That would be great but my son's 140 is a 72 with a serial number in the 40000's.

KATT · May 29, 2018

FWIW Dept. you know KATT, right to mother Deere. :tango_face_wink:

Finicky starting on my son's 140

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