wd 45 no start
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=159258
Printed Date: 17 Sep 2025 at 2:55pm
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Topic: wd 45 no start
Posted By: trace
Subject: wd 45 no start
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 7:47am
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Finally got out and worked on my 1955 wd45. Put a new starter switch on (looks like old dimmer switch) and started right up. Got er off the yard and onto the driveway. Went to take the tire chains off (wishful thinking) and she wouldn't start again. When I took the old switch off the paper stuff on the sides was wrinkled but no burn marks or anything. Any ideas? Any other ways to start without that crappy switch? Put this switch on couple years ago with new starter. All suggestions appreciated. Going to take 2 yr old delco battery to dealer and have it load tested. ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Replies:
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 9:39am
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Need more information! What do you mean by "wouldn't start again": won't turn over? Turns over but won't fire? Why did you replace the old starter switch? How's your starting circuit set up - do you have a solenoid switch between the battery and the starter motor? Assuming that it won't turn over and that the switch just delivers power to a solenoid switch, you can try jumping around the solenoid - that is, from battery cable post to output post. If that doesn't work, the solenoid is bad. Let us know........ ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 9:48am
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Had another thread earlier this month about not starting. When I got a chance changed the starter switch and it fired right off, wierd. Next day takin the chains off wouldn't make a sound just like before. New starter two years ago, new battery, cables and starter switch also. Going at lunch to have battery load tested and from there guess a new key switch would be in order. Wasn't aware there was a solenoid, where would that be?? ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 9:52am
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trace, Lots of reasons that they wont start. Agree, need more info too. Spark, gas, and compression they should run. Good news is that it ran just prior, so it cant be that serious. Probably just did not want the chains off and was just throwing a little hissy fit!:) Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 9:57am
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trace, you may NOT have a solenoid. I was just guessing based on how you described it. Diagnosing the problem depends on how your starting circuit is wired. Can you describe where this switch is located and what wires are connected to it? ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: Alvin M
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 10:08am
| put battery cable right on stud top starter if it turns over it is the switch or stud is bad clean it good if too short replace it |
Posted By: JC-WI
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 10:37am
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Could be just in the connection of the fittings on end of battery cables. Had that happen... even had a cable corrode inside the lead clamp and not make connection. Alternator was not charging for awhile, so I thought it was the alternator itself but put a jumper wire on it and it charged real good... so thought I had a bad wire connection... Yea, I did, inside the regulator itself on the switch side, never had one of those coils go toast... and no fixing that, so new regulator is on it's way. Keep checking till you find your problem. ------------- He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that." |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 11:05am
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Cold and wet weather play havoc with electrical connections & components. Its enough to make you pull your hair out sometimes. Not sure if you're still on 6V's or you switched it over to 12V, but a more reliable way to move away from that pesky switch is to install a Starter Solenoid and key crank start Ignition switch. The Starter will need to be flipped from the kick switch pad to a stud where the Starter Solenoid can connect to the Starter via the solenoid. A wire off the "start" terminal post to the #10 post on the solenoid activates the solenoid once 12V's energize that crank circuit and the other side of the solenoid is fed with the Battery. Viola! Just like your car or truck! Having the Battery draw tested is a good practice to do whether 6V or 12V! Glad to see family members here are learning! mailto:Steve@B&B" rel="nofollow - Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 11:36am
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The starter itself could have a dead spot too. Again, not enough info. |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 3:30pm
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How about some pictures from the battery to the switch to the starter? That would help a LOT! Especially the starter and wiring. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 3:33pm
| Don’t overlook the ground path... |
Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 4:29pm
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Define "new" starter. Are we talking just a set of brushes and bushings? A weak or broken brush spring could be what's going on here. ------------- "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford |
Posted By: ac fleet
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 4:40pm
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The contact bar under the button get a little dirty or worn and they wont work, Got a B starter that did that. Starter button looked like new but was worn /burned to the point of no contact. ------------- http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/ |
Posted By: Moneypit
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 7:26pm
| Hand crank |
Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2019 at 7:52pm
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The question needs MUCH BETTER clarification. IF it's a stock WD/45, it has no solenoid- it uses a pull rod that directly acts on the starter switch button on starter. by "won't start"? Do you mean 'Won't turn over'? You pull the starter rod, which pulls the start contact lever, which pushes the start contact button, and... does anything happen? If not, check battery cables (both pos and negative), and then remove the starter button... The contacts of the starter button may not be making good contact. If you're pulling the rod, and the starter spins, but doesn't turn the engine over, different situation. If the starter spins, engine turns, but won't fire, different situation yet. ------------- Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest. |
Posted By: Brian F(IL)
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 7:25am
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Just a suggestion... Take the starter switch off again and polish the inside contact points. My CA wouldn't start once and I was sure the battery was good. A little polishing/scraping and my electrical contacts were good again. HTH.  |
Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 9:28am
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thanks everyone. getting a new battery today, old one tested ok but to my amazement was five years old. starter was a new rebuilt when i got it. going to try direct test on starter with cable today before it rains.
pull starter rod nothing happens, dead. will shine up contacts, check battery connections (is 12v with alt) and go from there. think will order new switch if nothing else helps. wealth of knowledge on here thanks for all the help. just a so so mech myself. ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: chaskaduo
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2019 at 9:52am
Don't care for know it all's myself.  ------------- 1938 B, 79 Dynamark 11/36 6spd, 95 Weed-Eater 16hp, 2010 Bolens 14hp |
Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2019 at 11:25am
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Okay, Trace- if your switch looks like the one Brian F showed a picture of, take it apart again, and cycle the plunger, and compare it to the post on the starter. that contact is suppsed to bridge 'tween the battery and starter terminal. I dealt with this a dozen ago on my B, and then again mebbie five ago with my WD45... the arrangement is same. The B gave me royal fits 'till I figured out that the replacement switch (brand new, but aftermarket) was simply NOT moving far enough to bridging the contacts. I'm pretty certain the starter post was a bit worn, but I'm also dead certain that the replacement switch assembly was misshaped crap. Now, I've slept two or three times since then, so I can't tell 'ya what I wound up doing to make the darned thing work, but I pulled the switch apart and made some modifications. I don't recall wether I wound up putting it in the mill, or hand filing, or rotating the starter terminal, or mebbie I put a spacer under the starter terminal to get it up higher... mebbie I added metal to the lever's nose, I simply don't recall... but that's what it needed. And yep... it's a real PITA 'till 'ya get it fixed. ------------- Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest. |
Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 5:48pm
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Ok, got the new battery in. Touched hot line to starter post, nothing. Starter shot??? ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: Kenny L.
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 6:08pm
| Trace, I had the same thing happen to me and I was pulling my hair out, I change the starter, the starter switch, put new cable on, new battery, still no luck until I ran a ground wire from the frame to the instrument panel now she starts like a charm, you may want to try it before spending a lot more money it may not help but is a cheep fix to try. HTH you |
Posted By: ac fleet
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 6:52pm
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Did you have the switch off when you hit starter post?----And also there are two different switch styles, one works only on Prestolite starters ! they look the same but the body has a different shape and won't work on delco units. I found that out on a B starter which I still can't get to work! Thanks; ac fleet ------------- http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/ |
Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 7:14pm
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Kenny L, battery sparks when I touch frame so must have good ground. ac fleet, starter has always worked fine with key switch I have. Switch was on when I hit starter post. ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: Kenny L.
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 7:34pm
| Trace, mine did also |
Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 8:41pm
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The battery might be attached to the frame but how is the connection between the frame to the starter itself? There is a pointed bolt that holds the starter in position and also is responsible for making the ground connection to the starter I believe. ------------- 1957 WD45 dad's first AC 1968 one-seventy 1956 F40 Ferguson |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2019 at 10:23pm
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I don't think the key switch would have any effect if you are running a battery cable directly from the battery to the starter post. Wonder if the starter is jammed on the ring gear. I'd pull the starter out to rule this out. While it's out, test it directly with a known fresh battery and jumper cables. ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2019 at 3:59am
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Yes. What Dave said! ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2019 at 8:47am
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Thanks guys!, rebuilt starter five years old. Will take off and test with my pickup battery. What weird about this is that tractor started two different times then wouldn't after I moved it. Thanks for all the help. ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 9:04am
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Is started jammed into the flywheel? That happens once in a while. Loosen up jam nut and jiggle it. (that's what SHE said) . ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 9:51pm
Take a pair of jumper cables (auto type) and put the neg (-) RIGHT ONTO the starter somewhere where you have GOOD contact. Now put the cables onto the battery and wiggle em so you've got good contact. Now just touch that positive (+) cable to the starter switch post. This bypasses the pointed bolt that holds the starter in in case that is NOT giving a GOOD GROUND. That was the easiest way to find out if you have a good starter. (the starter COULD still be good, even if it doesn't turn over).....read on... Take the starter OUT of the tractor, put it into a vise moderately tight. This is so the next test doesn't twist it out of your hand and cut off the bottom of your pants. That doesn't matter, cause you probably just got some chit in em anyway.... In the vise, put the negative (-) cable onto the starter OR onto the vise somewhere. Now hook up to the battery and then touch the bolt on the switch and see if it spins. The system is SO simple to work on. Wish I was there with you, we'd have it going in a heartbeat. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
trace wrote:Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 9:33am
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Thanks Ted will try the battery cables, good idea, thanks! ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: mhankins
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 10:06am
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If you have a volt meter,hook one end to the starter battery post,the other end to ground,and check to see if you have battery voltage when you pull the starter rod. If you do,run a jumper cable from the battery ground to the starter and see if it turns over.If it does,you have a ground problem,if not,then pull the starter. Low cranking voltage could cause the starter to lock in the ring gear,also.
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Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2019 at 7:03am
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too cold and windy in iowa sunday where the weather changes second to second to work on my tractor. decided to not start 50' from the house so working down the driveway. nice today so will get out and try some of these suggestions after work today. battery cables will determine if ground ok. if not will be checking the starter closer. thanks for all the suggestions, your help is invaluable.
------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |
Posted By: trace
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2019 at 1:41pm
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You were right Ted and others. Wish I'd been smart enough to check the ground first, but no. Took starter off today and tested. Works great! So put everything back together and cleaned up ground and started right off. Live and learn I guess though is fun to work on. So simple but so well engineered. Too bad they don't make em like that anymore. Thanks guys for all the help. This site and you forum members are invaluable to me for all your knowledge and help. ------------- 1955 WD-45 WIDE FRONT W/ TRIP LOADER |