A few days ago I was taking some bales out of a muddy, bumpy field with my MF 565. I picked one up with the lift and tried to take off, but the tractor cut out. When I tried the ignition the gauges and lights came on, but she didn't start. No clicking or other noises, not like a loose connection I think. I can hill start it and the lights work when I switch the ignition on, but she doesn't kick at all when I try the ignition. It was working fine before this, any ideas what might be wrong? I haven't got much experience with repairs so any advice would be appreciated.
Massey Ferguson 565 not starting off ignition
- Thread starter DanH565
- Start date
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
look at the small wire to the starter motor
Have had a look, everything seems to be in place.
john432
Member
- Location
- Carmarthenshire
Do you know the trick of short circuit ING the terminals on the starter to get them started? I got a bolliking off the headmaster in secondary school for my helpfull advice on how to start a tractor with no keys 
I don't, although that sounds useful. Not sure if that would work in this case though as the clutch has to be pressed in for the tractor to start. Unless this trick bypasses that?Do you know the trick of short circuit ING the terminals on the starter to get them started? I got a bolliking off the headmaster in secondary school for my helpfull advice on how to start a tractor with no keys
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
take the small wire off and rig up a test bulb
earth 1 side of the bulb and put the starter wire to the other side of the bulb, now when turning the key the bulb should light
Will any bulb do or I need a specific type?
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
id use a headlight bulb ,55w
the stronger bulb will show any weaknesses in the wiring if there is any
john432
Member
- Location
- Carmarthenshire
Yes my trick does bypass the clutch . That's what happened in school ,the townies started it in gear with no one on board.
Alright, will give that a go. If the bulb doesn't light up will I look for a fault in the wiring?
Can't have ended well haha. So how do I go about short circuiting the terminals?Yes my trick does bypass the clutch . That's what happened in school ,the townies started it in gear with no one on board.
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
yes we'll work back from there
I think you might be right actually, it has to be in neutral to start. I just always pressed the clutch anyway. How do you mean safety switch? There's a switch on my 390 that grounds the battery and that has to be switched on for it to start. The 565 doesn't have a switch like that though. Key switch is just behind the ignition is it?
Will have to wait till tomorrow. Tractor is on top of a hill because I was afraid of turning it off in the shed and not being able to get it out again.
Can't remember how difficult it may be to access the back of the key/ignition switch and the safety start switch is on top of the gear box just behind the clutch housing. As davidroberts30 said,check for power at the starter wire when the key is turned, first of all... H/L lever in neutral of course.
john432
Member
- Location
- Carmarthenshire
Ok first make sure your tractor is out of gear, throttle and stopper ready to run.
First try short circuiting the ignition terminal and the battery terminal as in the photo, starter should turn normally and the engine starts.
If all you get is a clicking noise, the internal contacts are burned ,worn not making contact.
But all is not lost, then you will need a hefty big of metal (not your fav spanner)to short circuit the battery and starter terminal, the inertia system of the starter usually means that if engages with the flywheel teeth and the engine should turn.
If the starter just spins at speed and doesn't engage, we have another option...
Short circuit the ignition switch terminal to the battery terminal to engage the starter to the flywheel and the same time short circuit the battery and starter terminal, don't worry a few little sparks is normal!
As one friend remarked," you could probably start your dead gran"
First try short circuiting the ignition terminal and the battery terminal as in the photo, starter should turn normally and the engine starts.
If all you get is a clicking noise, the internal contacts are burned ,worn not making contact.
But all is not lost, then you will need a hefty big of metal (not your fav spanner)to short circuit the battery and starter terminal, the inertia system of the starter usually means that if engages with the flywheel teeth and the engine should turn.
If the starter just spins at speed and doesn't engage, we have another option...
Short circuit the ignition switch terminal to the battery terminal to engage the starter to the flywheel and the same time short circuit the battery and starter terminal, don't worry a few little sparks is normal!
As one friend remarked," you could probably start your dead gran"
Lincs Lass
Member
- Location
- north lincs
Im presuming its got a lucas alternator ,,we had the same problem on a 699 ,,it was the purple wire on the alternator ,,think the fitter called it the Field terminal ,,same thing though ,all the gauges and lights were working ,just nothing to the ignition
- Location
- Somerset
Our 575 has started doing a thing where the H/L stick has to be wiggled around a bit before she turns over. Think the neutral safety switch is on its way out. (though if you've seen my thread on that thing it should come as no surprise that stuff is broken!). Notice anything like that on your 565?
Exfarmer
Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds
I would strongly advise, never short across the fat terminals, that way is liable to lead to the screwdriver etc. Becoming wlded to the terminals and the startermotor running till it catches fire.
short from the battery feed to the ignition feed, if this produces a sharp click check the battery voltage. If over 13 then your starter is probably shot
if no click , youneed a solenoid.
if however it starts it is either the feed to and from the ignition switch and or the isolator.
next step is to short out the isolater and see if that is the issue.
Before attempting any of this as others have pointed out ensure your gear box is in neutral, otherwise none of this may concern you again!
short from the battery feed to the ignition feed, if this produces a sharp click check the battery voltage. If over 13 then your starter is probably shot
if no click , youneed a solenoid.
if however it starts it is either the feed to and from the ignition switch and or the isolator.
next step is to short out the isolater and see if that is the issue.
Before attempting any of this as others have pointed out ensure your gear box is in neutral, otherwise none of this may concern you again!