Hi everyone,
I’m hoping someone can help me with an issue I’m having with my 1979 John Deere 450c crawler loader. I bought it last year from an individual to use for work around my house. At the time, it was running fairly well and started up with no problem.
There were a few occasions when I pressed the starter button and it didn’t turn over—I assumed it might be the battery. A quick jump start would get it going. About a month ago, I started it up to move it before a big snowstorm and let it idle for about 15 minutes without any issues. The next morning, I went to start it and it was completely dead—no noise, nothing.
I thought it was the battery again, but it tested good. I took it to NAPA, and they said it was still under warranty for another week, so I got a replacement. Even with the new battery, nothing changed.
I removed the panel to check for any loose wires. I didn’t see anything obvious, but when I checked the ignition, the wires on the two poles were tight, but the wire on the hot terminal wouldn’t tighten. I thought I had found the problem. I found a replacement ignition switch on eBay and installed it, but still nothing.
Next, I removed the side panel to look at the starter and noticed a cut wire that wasn’t connected to a terminal. There are two wires joined with a wire nut—I’m wondering if that’s where the cut wire came from and it just broke off? I haven’t stripped and reconnected anything yet because I wanted to get some advice first.
I took pictures of what I’m seeing and can upload them if that helps.
Sorry for the long post, and I really appreciate any insight you all can offer.
Thanks
1979 JD450C not turning over
Re: 1979 JD450C not turning over
Welcome to the Boards.
Don't be surprised if your thread is not here later. 350, 450, and newer machines are handled on the late Models Board. This Early Models Board is for the 1010C, 2010C, and the models prior to those. A Moderator will likely move it when they see it. Just a housekeeping thing, but one that is followed pretty well here.
Pictures won't help much; you need to test and diagnose the system and components.
Setting in the seat with crawler in neutral, both transmission levers. Have you wiggled the HLR lever? There is a neutral start switch in the linkage of that shifter that could be out of adjustment or failed.
If that had no results, I would make sure both the HLR and gear transmission were in neutral and use a jumper at the starter to jump between the battery post on the solenoid and the start terminal of the solenoid. (That is the small terminal closest to the engine, it should have the wire from the start button hooked to it.) If the starter cranks the engine when you jump it that way the starter and battery are ok. Then you have to chase the wiring between the switch and solenoid.
Do you have the John Deere Technical Manual TM1102? It has the wiring diagrams in it.
With a test light or voltmeter check for power at the key switch when turned on. If that has power check to see that there is power to the start button form the switch and on the "out" terminal when the button is pushed. If that checks out find the neutral safety switch down on the side of the transmission. Check it for power to it when the start button is pushed and also power out when the button is pushed. it you have power through that switch you should have power to the start terminal of the solenoid. If not, you may have a broken wire or bad connection between the switch and starter. As you are testing each point hit the starter button. It is possible to have a good reading with a test light or voltmeter and lose it when a load (the starter solenoid) is applied, that can pinpoint a failing switch.
Don't be surprised if your thread is not here later. 350, 450, and newer machines are handled on the late Models Board. This Early Models Board is for the 1010C, 2010C, and the models prior to those. A Moderator will likely move it when they see it. Just a housekeeping thing, but one that is followed pretty well here.
Pictures won't help much; you need to test and diagnose the system and components.
Setting in the seat with crawler in neutral, both transmission levers. Have you wiggled the HLR lever? There is a neutral start switch in the linkage of that shifter that could be out of adjustment or failed.
If that had no results, I would make sure both the HLR and gear transmission were in neutral and use a jumper at the starter to jump between the battery post on the solenoid and the start terminal of the solenoid. (That is the small terminal closest to the engine, it should have the wire from the start button hooked to it.) If the starter cranks the engine when you jump it that way the starter and battery are ok. Then you have to chase the wiring between the switch and solenoid.
Do you have the John Deere Technical Manual TM1102? It has the wiring diagrams in it.
With a test light or voltmeter check for power at the key switch when turned on. If that has power check to see that there is power to the start button form the switch and on the "out" terminal when the button is pushed. If that checks out find the neutral safety switch down on the side of the transmission. Check it for power to it when the start button is pushed and also power out when the button is pushed. it you have power through that switch you should have power to the start terminal of the solenoid. If not, you may have a broken wire or bad connection between the switch and starter. As you are testing each point hit the starter button. It is possible to have a good reading with a test light or voltmeter and lose it when a load (the starter solenoid) is applied, that can pinpoint a failing switch.
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