The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

When trying to start, I sometimes get just a click-click-click instead of the starter turning. Is this an earth fault? Sometimes a tweak of the battery terminals helps...

Hi Chug a Lug
You have the classic symptoms of a bad connection beteween the battery and the starter motor.
The cure is to disconnect the earth side of the battery and check and tighten every point where the electricity has to go from one connector/stud/washer/nut to another. Also clean the inside face of the two battery connectors and where the earth strap is bolted to the chassis.
I had the same problem last week and it turned out to be a loose nut on the starter motor connector. I had to remove a washer, clean the faces of the cable lug and the stud on the motor and carefullt tighten the nut. Be aware that you can easily shear the small diameter studs through over tightening.
cheers
Jerry

It could also conceivably be a failing battery. Had that recently on my car, when battery failed almost overnight, giving these symptoms.