How to Test the Starter and Solenoid

If you are troubleshooting a tractor that won’t start, you may be suspicious of an issue with your tractor's electrical side, which accounts for a majority of common tractor issues. 

When your starter is working as it should, turning the ignition key sends a low current (12-volt) signal through the clutch safety switch to the small terminal on the solenoid. The solenoid then engages the starter gear into the flywheel and sends current to the starter motor. The starter in turn spins the starter gear, which engages the flywheel, and your Chinese tractor starts. If your tractor does not turn over when you turn the ignition key, you may have a bad solenoid or a bad starter motor. 

How to Test the Solenoid and Starter on Your FarmPro, NorTrac, or Jinma Tractor

Testing the solenoid and starter motor is a pretty simple process, and it is the same for Jinma tractors, Farm Pro tractors, NorTrac tractors, and all other Chinese tractors:

Step #1 

Attach a jumper cable from the negative (-) battery terminal to the tractor frame.

Step #2

Touch the positive cable from the battery to the two large poles on the solenoid—pole A and pole B—simultaneously (See Step #2 in the diagram below). If your starter motor spins normally, your starter motor is probably OK. If the starter motor does not spin, it's likely that you need to replace your starter motor.

Step #3 

Touch the positive cable from the battery to the positive pole on the solenoid, pole B, and the small pole on the solenoid, pole C, simultaneously (See Step #3 in the Diagram Below). The three most common outcomes are as follows:

  1. A)Your tractor cranks normally, which indicates that your starter motor and solenoid are working as they should and you have a problem somewhere else, such as a bad clutch safety switch, bad ignition switch, or a bad battery wire connection.
  2. B) The solenoid clicks and engages the starter gear, but the starter motor does not spin, which indicates that the starter motor is probably bad.
  3. C)  The solenoid does not engage the starter gear, which indicates that the solenoid probably needs to be replaced.

You can follow these troubleshooting tips if you’re still having issues with why your tractor won’t start. If it turns out that you do need to replace one of these Jinma tractor parts, we carry the starterssolenoids, and other replacement parts you need for whichever of your Chinese tractor models and we offer them at a great price. We also suggest these tractor parts to always keep on hand. From water pumps to complete engines, view the full Circle G parts categories or contact us with any of your needs today!