D17 Series III electrical issue

HI Everyone,

I have a D17 series III gas that my father in law bought new back in early 60's ('63 maybe?).  Still Positive ground with the original generator.

Anyway, the battery tray was rotted right off from years of overflowing battery acid.  Also, some of it got on the starter solenoid located underneath.  So I took the tray off and had a new one fabricated.  When I re-installed, I also installed a new solenoid:
"(Description: Solenoid and manifold heater switch, 12-volt. Supersedes 233296. For tractor models D10, D12, D14, D15, D17.  Solenoid Switch Part Number 70237136)"  as I concluded being dowsed in battery acid numerous times probably wasn't a recipe for success.

That is when the problems started.

When I tried to hook up the negative wire to the battery, it starts welding with the post.  I don't mean a little spark...I mean arc welding.  At no time does the starter try to engage, so I don't think there's a short in the push button.

I've been through the wiring twice thinking I either hooked something up backwards, didn't have a good ground for the solenoid or there was a pinched wire somewhere.  Negative on all three.  So then I started replacing parts, just in case there was additional corrosion that I couldn't see causing a ground issue.  I've replaced:

• The regulator (there was corrosion behind on the copper traces)
• The key switch (it was out in the weather and there was considerable difficulty turning the key, thought perhaps corrosion inside)

I also tried:

• Removing the starter cable in case there was a short in there....no change when trying to connect the battery cable.
• Jumping the solenoid body to the ground on the battery, in case the ground wasn't happening because of corrosion or paint - nothing improved.
  

So I'm out of ideas where to look.  It is a fairly simple system, but I'll be darned if I can locate the problem.  Could the solenoid be bad right from the manufacturer?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

When I replaced the generator on my series II D-17, I found that the instructions in the operator's manual said that the "F" terminal on the generator was the post next to the engine and the 'A" terminal was the one farthest from the engine.

The other thing I notice is that the solenoid he describes is for a diesel as it is a combination starter switch and "manifold heater" switch.

Edited by Brian G. NY - 14 Aug 2018 at 10:14am

I finally figured it out after staring at the Allis wiring diagram and how the solenoid grounds. I'm going to try to get the part number and a pic of the one that works like a champ.

Edited by stroketech - 14 Aug 2018 at 1:37pm

That would be great Stroketech, I sure would appreciate it.

I can't see a part number on it but it was Napa brand and is different from a solenoid that would be considered a "normal automotive" starter solenoid.

Sure looks like your typical mid-60s and 70s Ford solenoid.