TC10284 113 #1 Posted December 12, 2020 Just fixed up a 312-8. All is good on it except for a ground cable that I'm not sure where it goes. The wire is currently bolted down under where the battery negative cable grounds to the chassis. The other side "naturally" bends to the solenoid mount. But there was a missing bolt there. A few times I test ran it, the key switch would not kill the engine when switched off. When I finally got to move it and turned off the switch, it finally killed the engine. I had it loosely on the bolt of the solenoid mount. I tried looking for that cable on another 312-8 and 414-8 but couldn't find that cable. Pics: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y4GXYX15YPkrhtik7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,394 #2 Posted December 12, 2020 Black wires should be grounded. Will guess the loose wire should ground the base of the solenoid. The black ground wire at the ignition switch is the one that shuts the magneto ignition off. When these tractors were new the metal chassis pieces and new hardware did a good job of providing a continuous ground back to the battery. As corrosion takes over that important ground circuit is reduced or eliminated. Good to remove the connections, polish them up and add dielectric grease to the terminals and bolts before putting it back together. That grease will keep the corrosion to a minimum. Does not hurt to add ground wires between chassis pieces either. Looks like your battery negative cable is bolted to the chassis at the end of the battery. If you ever replace that cable get a longer one and take it to one of the engine mounting bolts. Then add another ground wire from there back to the cable's original location and 10 gauge wire is OK for this one. Reason being the starter motor is the largest electrical load the system will ever see. Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,191 #3 Posted December 12, 2020 TC10284, agree with info above and you might add this to your ideas , scroll down to the last picture , notice the ground cable on the corner of engine block to frame ? that goes to ground rail next to battery , ensuring enhanced grounding to your issue , also note battery tender plug in cable ? makes it very easy to maintain your battery , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
