Go BottomStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
 | noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia 
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2017-01-13 196092
I have a John Deere AMT600 that I bought new in the late 1980's. Recently it does not always turn over the starter when ignition is turned to start. Sometimes it just clicks. If I keep turning the ignition switch to start it will eventually turn over and start. I have good battery, new cable, and have replaced starter. I checked the voltage to the solenoid and it is 12.6 when key is turned to start. Would the neutral start switch have any effect on this intermittent problem? Also should I check the ignition switch?
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| gatoraider
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Maryland 
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2017-01-13 196093
If you put a new starter on it and it had a new solenoid I would check every ground cable associated with the starter. Sounds like a solenoid should have fixed it. Check the hot wires and the ground connections up under the seat too. All connections should be shiney. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-13 196094
Thanks for the reply. I checked the ground connections from the battery to the post under the seat. I removed the cables from the post and cleaned the ends of the cable. I had replaced the main hot wire from the battery to the large connection on the starter. When I checked the ground wire from the battery to the post on the engine it showed continuity. I wonder if I should replace the large ground wire from the battery to the ground post on the engine. I guess that the large ground wire could show continuity but could still be damaged internally. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| gatoraider
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Maryland
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2017-01-13 196095
It could show continuity but when the starter calls for amperage a bad connection could fail. What happens if you put 12 volts directly to the spade connection on the starter with a jumper wire? The new solenoid could be bad too. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-15 196102
Do you mean pulling off the connector for the wire that comes from the ignition switch and putting 12v on the pick tab manually to see if it starts? ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| gatoraider
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Maryland
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2017-01-15 196103
Yes, see if it will turn over. The key will have to be on for it to start. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-16 196105
I actually did this with the starter off the vehicle. It always picked and started with 12v on the big lug and touching the pick tab with 12v. On the vehicle it always picks but does not always turn the starter over. I am going to do all the voltage tests on the vehicle as I try to start it looking for voltage drops somewhere in the circuit. I found a you tube video which goes through the process of doing this. Will let you know what I find. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| Trainpilot
Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 69 Ukiah, CA
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2017-01-16 196106
It sounds like you're on the right track. I second what Gatoraider suggested with checking grounds. When it fails to start, try wiggling any suspect ground connections. Also your thought of checking the neutral switch is a good one, but if the solenoid is clicking, and not actuating the starter that's probably not the case. Sometimes with our gator, I will wiggle the shifter while holding key in start position--then it will engage. Please let us know what solves the problem for you. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-17 196109
Today I removed the main ground wire from the battery and checked it. It looked and tested ok. I made sure I had a good star washer on each end connectors. I hooked up a volt meter to the hot lug on the starter and it showed 12.5 volts. Is this enough to ensure the starter turns over every time. Sometimes it starts right away. Other times it clicks a couple of times and then starts. Eventually it always starts. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-17 196110
I just did the voltage drop tests on the starter circuit. The battery was good. The test of the large positive cable to starter was good. The ground test was good. The battery to the pick circuit was not good. When it fails the voltage from the positive battery to the pick circuit tab when key turned to start should go from 12.5 to ground. It goes to about 4v. I am going to replace the ignition switch. Will let you know what happens. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| Trainpilot
Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 69 Ukiah, CA
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2017-01-17 196112
It sounds like there may be a bad contact in one of the switches for the start circuit. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| gatoraider
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Maryland
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2017-01-17 196113
Before you get a switch. I would go to the start relay on the right side frame rail. It has a red a yellow and two purple wires. The yellow is the supply voltage to pull the relay and probably the smaller purple is the ground for the pull. The red is straight from the battery or starter and the other purple goes to the starter. The purple goes into the 6 prong connector at the motor and comes out red to the starter. First I would check the 6 prong connector if it is clean I would go for the relay. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-17 196117
Just read your post. Got ignition sw and did not fix prob. I will try to locate the relay and check it. Thanks for the post. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-17 196118
Are you sure that my old amt-600 has this relay? I cannot find it in the parts catalog. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| gatoraider
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Maryland
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2017-01-17 196119
Sorry, my bad. I was thinking 6x4. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| gatoraider
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 544 Maryland
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2017-01-17 196122
So back to thinking 600. There are circuit breaker/ fuses up by the voltage regulator. the connections sometimes get rotten. They have little cap type connections and corrode over time. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| noglu10
Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10 virginia
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2017-01-20 196161
Ok. thanks I will check them. ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| EdinOR
Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 1 Springfield, Oregon
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2023-04-13 201554
Did you ever find the smoking gun? I too have the same problem and would like to put this issue to sleep.
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| charlieK
Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 137 kentucky
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2023-04-19 201557
post is over 5 years old ....
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Add PhotoStarter sometimes clicks but won t start AMT600
| vintage
Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 8 USA
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2023-04-19 201558
Clicking solenoids are ussually caused by a weak battery, corroded connection, bad Solenoid, bad starter, or switch. Using a remote starter switch with a known good battery can go a long ways to figuring out the issue. ....
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