How to test a tractor solenoid 

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To Doublewide6 I had a stroke in 2004 it effects my thinking sometimes I have worked on small engines for over 35 years I just wanted to tell you the way you explained how to do this is awesome because I knew that you could test them but my thinking went blank so thanks to you you triggered it by the way you explained it so from the bottom of my heart thanks and keep the good work up.

Thank you for this video. I am working on a 6 V 1954 Plymouth I’m not getting any clicking so I’m looking at the three pole solenoid. You explained very well how to test this and so I’m looking forward to checking that out tomorrow to see if that’s the issue. I watched several videos, but yours is the one that connected all the dots for me.

I have watched several of these videos-yours is the easiest to understand and the best one I have found! Thank you!

Thanks, brother, I watched several other videos on this subject and I have to agree with some of the other posts that you explained this so well and the diagrams were so clear that I finally got it and was able to test my solenoid and starter for my portable generator. Many thanks and God bless!

a four year university cannot explain this as good as you did, thank you!

This was very helpful. Straight to the point. So basically the 12v goes from the ignition through the safety switches and then starts cranking. If any of the safety switches are open it never reaches the solenoid.

Your presentation was so good my special needs neighbor had no problem with him diagnosed problem on own his mower! Great job

I’m not great at working with electrical stuff but, you made it simple to understand. My riding mower has worked well for me for 14 years and I have only replaced the battery once. This year everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. I’ll try to keep this short by simply saying that I replaced the solenoid, spark plug, and fuse and got it to working for a couple of weeks. It quit on me again a few weeks later and I got it to working again by replacing the carburetor, the fuel pump, and the fuel line from the tank to the fuel filter to the fuel pump and to the carburetor. It worked again for another few weeks and now I can’t get it started again. I know the battery is bad so I jump started it and it has worked a few times but, my last attempt to jump start it, it would not make that clicking sound I would normally hear if the battery was dead. It now makes a ziz type sound and jump starting is not an option. I know the battery needs replacing which I plan to do but, now I’m trying to decide if the solenoid has gone bad again or if the starter is the culprit. I hate to buy both items along with a new battery but, the only thing left I can think of to replace would be the ignition switch. I even tried the old trick of using a screw driver from the solenoid to the positive battery post but, it didn’t have the same effect as I had as before when I tried to start it. Since I know very little about circuitry other than what you showed in your drawing, what would be your best guess as to what is wrong now? It is a Husqvarna mower and has served me well until this year.

This is the best explained video on RU-vid what a great teaching tool.

You explained that better than I've ever heard or seen and I now have a complete understanding. Thank you

BEAUTY THANKS- not only has this helped me with my ongoing mower issues but your clear explanation is gonna support me today with my sons home schooling. cheers

Thanks so much for this. I'm replacing the solenoid in my 1984 Murray riding lawnmower this weekend. I've been arcing the posts for too long.

With the help of your video I was able to test my 1996 5.0 F150 starter solenoid. I just got done taking it apart to burnish the contacts because it was intermittent and every once in awhile it would just click. All of the contacts inside of it needed burnishing especially one of the copper terminals which had blackened to almost 100%. I would not recommend repairing them unless one has the electrical repair experience. I was going to get a Valucraft at Autozone but the quality of that brand is unpredictable and the better brands were to expensive for my budget right now. Thanks again

thanks for the video! i've also learned that you can use jumper cables connected to the terminals to make the switch so it can be done more remotely (especially if it's under the battery/under the seat, or as you mentioned near a gas tank. Also, who thumbs down videos like this? I'll guess miserable people.

Great job my solenoid works, so onto the next part of electrical testing my 22 y/o Murray! Thanks 🙏

I so much appreciate you taking the time to do that. I have an RV pretty much the same exact solenoid. Had no way to check if it was good did not understand how it worked. Your video really save the day. You may think gosh how simple who would need to know this. I do nothing simple for me. I am not good at this stuff but I keep trying. With your video I was able to do it finally figure it all out you da man

Good simple vid for those who don't understand how it works.. Great vid , Thumbs up !!

This fella can explain a topic well and clearly. I'm gonna look for more by him when I need to know something. Thanks

So much great information, from the schematic on. I am extremely appreciative. Thank you so much

Nice to see, that you use all your homemade projects in the videos! ( everything works real nice ) I can't wait to see a video of you and bobby building something! Keep up the good work, nice videos, i learn allot from you.

So the sylanoid u tested was good 👍 I just went through 2 brand new ones had voltage to engage The syloined but nothing coming out to the starter

Great video thanks. Been having issues starting my ride on mower and I suspect it's the solenoid so I now know how to check. Cheers!

Excellent description Doublewide6. I do had a couple of questions; how does the solenoid get its ground and witch post ,with the letters on the key switch, does the jumper with voltage connect to. (S). Next witch wire has the fuse in the wire connection? Thanks for your expertise post and preadvice God Bless! Doc

Another thing to consider is that a tractor supply solenoid can be expensive you can use a older Ford starter solenoid @ $10 at parts supply.

I found this video extremely helpful, thank you.

Another great doublewide6 production film! Haha. In home theaters today! Tickets are free. Just need a RU-vid account. :) Nicely done.

got a tractor in the yard pretty sure its a selinoid problem as you have described now off to see if its any closer to seeing it run or if it will sit for another year till somebody figures it out like me not so lucky like that thank you for shareing

Best video on this topic. Clear and good diagram.

Even when new our tractor would often just click but would always start eventually. In removing the solenoid I'm unsure whether one post was slightly loose but proceeded anyway. By your video I checked it out & checks good. But I put the new one on & now get rapid fire clicks & even with key off the battery went completely dead overnight. Can a solenoid stick in the closed position?

Good job explaining a solenoid.

were is the 12v in the key switch? you said the key switch sends 12v to the solenoid. I think mine is bad , but it starts, but I have no 12v on the small post, I have a 4 post, 2 for battery, starter, an ground an 12v for key. how does the key sw. send 12v? thanks, I work on stuff all so but I need help here

If it is a 3 pole, does it matter which one of the big studs the hot wire from the battery is hooked to ?

Finally a simple video to explain. Thank you!

Enjoyed that, have a MF 65 and the starter has problems turning the engine and I can see it smokes, if I catch the engine on the right turn it will start, any ideas starter or solenoid thanks

Also the single post ground thru base and needs good ground to work

Thanks dude. Just what I was looking for. No comment on some of the jokers shorting their equipment. But your site of where to buy solenoids did not come up.

Cool I just change one today Customer broke stud off and quit working on it, his wife brought it to me, battery was terrible

Do you have a video on how to replace a solenoid on a Craftsman t1800 riding lawnmower

Seems like with the key on... it would keep spinning the starter even after the tractor cranks up. Shouldn't the starter stop spinning once the tractor cranks? But if you turn the key off, it turns off the tractor?

I did the same but I didn't have a multimeter so I used a bulb wired between post A and B , the connection didn't light the bulb when power added , bought a new one and it did with that one , just an idea if you don't have a multimeter to hand .

Good instructional video, easy to understand.

Big thanks for tour Excellent expose.

great explanation. i watched another video which was okay but only explained how to test a 4 pole solenoid without any theory.

My Solenoid/Starter model number is: 2-2569-MI. Battery terminals were switched and the solenoid smoked. I fear it is fried. No lights on dash now and tractor (Ford 1520) won't start. Thanks for any help you can give.

When key ignition wears out, how is push button switch installed

Great video. Very helpful indeed! Do you or would you make some plans of your power supply set-up? That is by far the neatest set-up I have seen for the do it yourselfer!! Thanks man!!

Great demonstration. I assume ok to use a small amp charger for power supply?

Got a newer pos craftsman... turned off to dump bags and heard a buzzing sound.. couldn't diagnose so I disconnected negative battery cable and it stopped. As soon as I touched negative cable to battery it would try to start. Key was off. I disconnected ignition and as soon as negative touches battety it tries to start... any ideas?

Great video, thank you. I have a tractor that cranks but won’t start, carburetor replaced, new spark plug, what can be wrong?, Tnx in advise

Clear, concise explanation. Thank you sir! Subbing for more.

Simple and to the point thank you I needed this.

Nice and clear. Another great video. Great job!

Thank you Dr. Double wide.....I concer.

you said ,and showed juice flow from key sw to v reg, but failed to show where/how the key sw obtained the juice to send !

Great video but was wanting to know if the flywheel is not turning on top of starter is the solenoid bad or the starter itself? My tractor clicks but the engine does not try to turn over. I noticed that the wheel on top of the starter does not turn when I turn the key. Thanks for the info.

I like how you have that set up.

Were do the littie wire on the side conet to that kick the starter from

That type of Solenoid you are testing is Not a continuous duty type. It is an Ignition switch type. They do make continuous duty ones for different applications where a constant switched use is need. Over use of a starter solenoid will burn it up.

This is priceless. Someone that doesn’t know the difference between a solenoid and a relay. You have a relay.

Good Video, Thanks for a clear explanation and diagram. Helped me understand the basic function of the part.

Question; If the solenoid goes out while you are operating the tractor would that cause the tractor to suddenly stop and not restart.

My mower “clicks” when I sit down and try to start. This is unsafe like you explained. But I grab a screwdriver and touch the two prongs and it cranks but won’t start. Is that because I am not sitting on the seat when I do this?

Can a starter solenoid go bad while cutting your grass? Lmk.

I enjoyed the video and will remember the information just in case I have to do repair work on one of my mowers.

good stuff DW, going to take it out now and test it

Thanks. I. Hope. More. Videos. Like this coming soon

why dont some multi meters have no continuity setting>? one of my meters dont have that where it makes that sound but another i have does?I see it all by itself on the dial

Hi...great video, very informative. I have a 36 volt White-Rodgers solenoid from an old EZ Go golf cart. Can I use 12 volts to test this solenoid, or do I need 36 volts? It's a 36 volt EZ Go system. Also, I noticed when I took this solenoid off to replace it with a new one that the cables to this solenoid were reversed. In other words, the large terminal of the solenoid that's labeled "BAT" went to ground, and the terminal not labeled "BAT": went to the positive (+) terminal of one of the batteries. Two questions: 1) Should I put all the wires and cables back in reverse as I found them, or should I reverse all the wires and cables the way they were supposedly meant to be? 2) How is it that with these wires and cables leading to and from my old solenoid were reversed, the cart runs just fine? Thanks for any help. Sincerely, jt

Very good job 🇨🇦👍

Splendid explanation.

Very well explained. Thanks👍

Very good presentation thank you

Good,well explained,easy to understand.Thanks.

Another quality Video from your friendly neighborhood DW6

You didn't explain how the switch got 12 volts on your drawing. I guess its wifi from the battery to the switch.

Thanks for making it simple.

what if your solenoid has two post and two wire conection what go's where ? thanks

If the solenoid is bad will the Solenoid click?

Excellent vid. So it sounds like the solenoid either works 100% or not at all. Is there any situation where it wouldn't pass the exact voltage from the battery across? Mine seems to only show 11.3 on the far side, where as it has 12.3 coming in direct from the battery.

What about the ground for the solenoid

let me sum it up for you too use ----you turn on key switch all you get is a click no start --- so take a pr pliers short 2 big lugs on solenoid this should spin starter if does spin replace the soleoid its defective

You should also check for resistance.

what can i do if the motor don t stop after i turn the key off

Excellent explanation sir , thank you

Nice tutorial! Thanks for sharing.

Very well explained. Thank you

Nice job 👍

Great video

Can you make a video explaining a relay?

Thankyou will check😮 that tomorrow

Good explanation 👍

This is my dad's account. He's very interested in this microwave 12v box set. Do you have a video on how it was made?

Very nice. Thank you

Thank you, very well done.

Great explanation

Great Video's many times you have helped me, I watch them all the time. Today I have a Duromax portable generator 8500 surge, 7200 running, 420cc 16 hp. When I pull the the recoil starter rope the unit starts in 1 or 2 pulls but when I use the starter key (Electric Start) to start the unit I hear a clicking or a screeching type of noise very similar to when to try to star a car when its already running. I taped the starter with a hammer with no results. The battery terminals are clean and tight. The battery reading is 13.2 volts on my meter. Any ideas? maybe starter or solenoid? Any ideas will be appreciated. Thank You. John A.

Thank you for this wonderful video .

This was very helpful. Thanks!!

Thank you FOR HELP YOUR