IH 184 loboy starting problem

[hdjohnny]

tractor ran fine all summer then went to start it yesterday and it won't turn over or even click. Cleaned battery terminals and checked battery. Maybe a safety switch some where or something? (guessing)
Please help!!!!!

[gitractorman]

First, make sure that your battery is good. They can suddenly die or have a cell go bad, especially if the key was left on, or headlights were left on, and the battery was able to drain completely.

Second, check your PTO switch. The 184 uses the electric PTO switch, little toggle switch that you must lift and push forward to engage. Sometimes the contacts in those go bad, and the tractor thinks that the PTO is on, thus locking out the starter circuit.

Another switch to check is the clutch pedal switch. It is a plunger style switch, usually on the frame under the tractor, that a metal tab pushes when you depress the clutch pedal. Also known to go bad, or the little metal tab breaks off and is no longer pushing the plunger.

Those would be my first items to check.
Bill

[Eugene]

And the solenoid.

Everyting Bill suggested. Start with a wiring diagram for the tractor. Then with a multimeter start checking for full or near full battery voltage at each wiring junction in the wiring diagram of the starting circuit.

[Bigdog]

Along with the items already mentioned also check and clean the other ends of the battery cables. Cleaning the terminals is only a start. Both ends of both cables must be clean and tightly connected. With a wiring diagram you can temporarily bypass the safety switches to see if they are the problem.

[BigBill]

Checkout the wiring for corrosion on the copper and the battery cables too and if you have a replacement terminal take it apart and clean were the cable is clamped too.

T0o fast check the starter i use the jumper cables from the battery to the starter directly to see if it turns over. If you turn the key on at the sametime it should start.