Mf 135 won't start

jaginsligo · 28-03-2021 05:57PM #1

So I was celebrating my 135 starting after sitting idle for 6 months. On Friday it turn a few times but then just "clicking" when the key is turned. So I thought, battery is probably weak I'll take it out: charge it. So I took it out without taking any notice of the polarity as I thought "it will be obvious". Charged the battery for day (small lidl charger) said it charged but won't charge the final "cell" on the digital display. Went to put it back in & tfen looked at polarity, from picture below ground is to the right when looking at can. But one of the terminals felt tight & other felt loose like they did belong
Anyway still "clicking" when key turned.
Do they have positive earth (I don't understand how that works
Anyone with a mf 135 could confirm which is negative?
If I wire it wrong will it do damage?
Do ye think a battery will solve it?
Pain ðŸ™„

emaherx · 28-03-2021 06:29PM

jaginsligo wrote: »

So I was celebrating my 135 starting after sitting idle for 6 months. On Friday it turn a few times but then just "clicking" when the key is turned. So I thought, battery is probably weak I'll take it out: charge it. So I took it out without taking any notice of the polarity as I thought "it will be obvious". Charged the battery for day (small lidl charger) said it charged but won't charge the final "cell" on the digital display. Went to put it back in & tfen looked at polarity, from picture below ground is to the right when looking at can. But one of the terminals felt tight & other felt loose like they did belong
Anyway still "clicking" when key turned.
Do they have positive earth (I don't understand how that works
Anyone with a mf 135 could confirm which is negative?
If I wire it wrong will it do damage?
Do ye think a battery will solve it?
Pain ðŸ™„

All 135's are negative earth. But it sounds like you need new terminals at the least. It's quite likely that your battery didn't survive the winter.

Try another battery or jump starting it.

It's also possible, that there is an issue with switch or starter or simply a loose connection in the wiring.

jaginsligo · 29-03-2021 08:06AM

emaherx wrote: »

All 135's are negative earth. But it sounds like you need new terminals at the least. It's quite likely that your battery didn't survive the winter.

Try another battery or jump starting it.

It's also possible, that there is an issue with switch or starter or simply a loose connection in the wiring.

I have read on some sites that some of the older 135 with dynamos are positive earthed that's what has me confused

blue5000 · 29-03-2021 12:13PM

Try cleaning the connectors with a bit of sand paper. Earth clamp at the battery and where it bolts to the tractor can be the culprit. (Will try edit your title now as well;))

jaginsligo · 29-03-2021 02:14PM

blue5000 wrote: »

Try cleaning the connectors with a bit of sand paper. Earth clamp at the battery and where it bolts to the tractor can be the culprit. (Will try edit your title now as well;))

Thanks x2

emaherx · 29-03-2021 09:52PM

jaginsligo wrote: »

I have read on some sites that some of the older 135 with dynamos are positive earthed that's what has me confused

135's left the factory negative earth, but converting them negative to positive or vice versa is fairly straightforward, so not beyond the realms of possibility that someone has, but no idea why someone would want to. Either way nothing is needed to be done to the starter so the tractor should start regardless. The difference will be minor wiring changes and re-polarizing the dynamo. If it's wrong the ammeter will show negative charge when the tractor is running.

mickdw · 29-03-2021 09:57PM

Try jump leads and if still clicking it could be the solenoid switch on the starter. Give that a few taps of a hammer.

jaginsligo · 04-04-2021 01:41PM

mickdw wrote: »

Try jump leads and if still clicking it could be the solenoid switch on the starter. Give that a few taps of a hammer.

Got to look at this in detail yesterday, turns out it the starter. I removed it & the circular clip holding on the drive cog is busted & has it jammed up.
Anyone know anyone in Sligo - leitrim that could repair it or am as well replace it. I think it's the original.
If buying knew who's the best to get mf parts this part of the country?

J.O. Farmer · 04-04-2021 01:48PM

jaginsligo wrote: »

Got to look at this in detail yesterday, turns out it the starter. I removed it & the circular clip holding on the drive cog is busted & has it jammed up.
Anyone know anyone in Sligo - leitrim that could repair it or am as well replace it. I think it's the original.
If buying knew who's the best to get mf parts this part of the country?

Guy in Roscommon town would fix it, Google mannion starters.

jimmy G M · 04-04-2021 01:52PM

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

Guy in Roscommon town would fix it, Google mannion starters.

Yeah Padraic Mannion, have used him lots of times. Can recommend.

jaginsligo · 04-04-2021 04:32PM

jimmy G M wrote: »

Yeah Padraic Mannion, have used him lots of times. Can recommend.

Thanks for the contact, I'll give him a buzz

limo_100 · 15-03-2025 10:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/116788268#Comment_116788268

just wondering how this worked out for you have the same thing 135 is just clicking. I’m thinking the started. When I was tapping the solenoid it didn’t start but I could hear the solenoid powering up slightly. Will go back to it next week.

emaherx · 16-03-2025 07:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123268423#Comment_123268423

It's not a big job to replace a starter or solenoid. A complete starter can be got for 150 or less. Solenoid on its own for less than 40.

Assuming you've checked battery leads, connections and starter switch wiring to don't forget earth points. (Starter switch wiring can be bypassed to check but make sure tractor is not in gear and don't consider it a fix if it starts). I'd just buy the complete starter and replace.