Need a new solenoid? A Ford will work

[jimbob200521]

Well was back at it working on the 127 again yesterday, this time giving the electrics a more in-depth going through. Ended up finding out that the solenoid was bad when I tried to remove the rusted on side nut and it spun all the way through. So, rather than pay $93.32 for the Cub part and wait a week, I made a trip to O'Reilly's and before I knew it, I was in a conversation with an employee and two older gentlemen at the checkout counter trying to find a replacement part. One of the guys suggested a Ford replacement solenoid. The employee grabbed it, we compared the two, and for $12.83 I walked out with a new solenoid. I don't have the part number in front of me, but the bolt holes line up perfectly and it even has an extra post for ignition if I ever need it. Long story short, replaced it and a couple old battery cables and she fired right up. Anywho, onto the pics.

Old:





New:

[save_old_iron]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

and it even has an extra post for ignition if I ever need it.

Not quite. The "extra" post goes hot when the solenoid is engaged. It is NOT A SPARE TRIGGER terminal.

The extra post was used to bypass an external ignition resistor during cranking for the coils that required an external resistor.

[R Bedell]

On some solenoids....the extra small terminal was a ground terminal. Look at the wiring directions that came with the new solenoid.

[save_old_iron]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

Old:New:

The white wire looping to the battery cable is touching the hoodstank metal. Eventually vibration will wear away the insulation and you have a short circuit.

Either shorten the white wire or redress the wire away from rubbing on the rough (rusted) panel.

[J-Mech]

I see a bare wire in there........ Maybe you better replace some more wires

There is another solenoid that only has one terminal. It's an old Ford one too. Not that it matters, as the 4 post will work fine. For the most part, the only difference in solenoids is how they mount. Some are wired differently, but no big deal.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

On some solenoids....the extra small terminal was a ground terminal. Look at the wiring directions that came with the new solenoid.

It's not a ground, what save_old_iron said is right, it becomes hot when the key is turned.

Originally Posted by save_old_iron

The white wire looping to the battery cable is touching the hoodstank metal. Eventually vibration will wear away the insulation and you have a short circuit.

Either shorten the white wire or redress the wire away from rubbing on the rough (rusted) panel.

Already on it, I'm in the process of sorting the poor old wire situation out, this was just a first step.

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I see a bare wire in there........ Maybe you better replace some more wires

I think I should have put it in the first post, this is a tractor work in progress, most of the wires will be replaced as a PO had done some funky wiring with it. I'm still sorting it all out

Yesterday was overall a positive day, went from dead battery, finicky starting, and no battery charging once started to new solenoid with a couple new wires and a tractor that'll charge its own battery. Still a long way to go, though.

[drglinski]

I bought a headlamp from them for my 147. I was impressed they carried it.