electrical

[Williamb]

Thanks to the advice given on this group I was able to get my governor unstuck. I still have electrical problems. I completely rewired everything on my early 1950's cub. I took my single wire alternator to have it checked and its working fine. When I try to start it nothing happens. I checked with a multimeter and 12.75 volts is going to the contraption over the starter. I assume something is going on downstream of this. Any ideas appreciated. Please ignore my complete lack of mechanical skills.

[staninlowerAL]

...... When I try to start it nothing happens........

Does this mean there is no sounds i.e. clicks, noise of any kind, or does it mean that the starter turns the engine but nothing happens? If there is silence (no sounds from the starter), you either are not getting a good ground, faulty saddle switch not letting the current pass to the starter or maybe a problem with the starter itself. If the starter will crank the engine over but the engine will not start/run, look for a problem with the ignition system. If it's been sitting for some time without running, check the points that the coil is firing to ground through the points when they open and close.

[Glen]

Hi,
If your Cub still has the original style starter, it is a switch on top of the starter, and uses the rod to the dash that you pull.
The contacts in the switch can get dirty and burned, then it won't work right.

You can try cleaning the contacts in it. Disconnect the battery ground and remove the switch and try cleaning the contacts with fine sandpaper, wipe off all sanding with a clean rag.
The switch is held on the starter with 2 screws, use a screwdriver that fits them well.
If the contacts in the switch are too burned, a new switch is better.

Below is a listing from TM Tractor for a new switch, you can look at the pics.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/el/2543fp.htm

The switch has to have 2 pieces of thin insulation that go up into the sides of the switch, 1 piece on each side of the switch, to prevent shorting. All the switches I have seen have them.
Be sure they are in the right places when putting the switch on the starter.

Below is a pic of the insulation.

[Williamb]

No sound of any kind. I guess its time to take this off and see what's going on.

[Don McCombs]

Pack up your Cub and take it 30 minutes North of you to the LA Cubfest in Bogalusa this weekend. It will come back home running like a champ.

[staninlowerAL]

Don's got the best solution if you can do that. If not, start at the battery and make sure all the connections are clean and shiny bright, both pos and neg.
Trace the current flow to the place where it stops, fix the problems. You can check the starter operation on or off the tractor by connecting jumper cables from the battery to the starter directly, if you want to you can bypass the starter saddle switch by removing it and touch the post on the starter with the jumper cable. If the starter does not turn this way you either have a bad starter or an electrical circuit connection that is open.

[Glen]

Hi,
Sometimes the starter does not work because the battery cable ends and connections are dirty, like Stan said above.
Disconnect the ground cable first, and leave it disconnected until you clean all 4 cable ends and connections, this avoids shorting the positive cable if you touch an end on something.
Use fine sandpaper to clean the connections, wipe off all sanding with a clean rag.
Sometimes the ground cable ends are the problem, the system is not getting a ground.

Below is a listing at TM Tractor for a new battery to starter cable for 6 volt Cubs, or Cubs with the switch on top of the starter. The cable is bigger cable than 12 volt systems use.
The cable is the original length, which goes in the holders up under the right side of the hood.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/el/2581fp.htm

Below is a page from the 1955 Cub operator's manual showing where the cable originally goes, for anyone putting one on in the original routing.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... e%2049.jpg

This page below tells what the numbers on the 1st page are.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... e%2050.jpg

[Don McCombs]

Do as Stan and Glen suggested, with the added step of coating the connections with a little dielectric grease before re-assembly. This will help to prevent future corrosion.

[Eugene]

And check under the battery cable insulation for corrosion. If corrosion present, suggest replacing the cables.

[Drfting1]

I just had an issue with the cub in Virginia, it wound up being the starter switch, even though it was new, the contract inside was installed crooked, I didn't catch that when I installed it, so the corner of contact wore down.... Straighten it out and works now, I'll still replace it this summer

[Drfting1]

Original one was totally worn out

[staninlowerAL]

I just had an issue with the cub in Virginia, it wound up being the starter switch, even though it was new, the contract inside was installed crooked, I didn't catch that when I installed it, so the corner of contact wore down.... Straighten it out and works now, I'll still replace it this summer

Here's a problem and solution that I recently had with a starter switch:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106761&p=846841#p846841