If you are experiencing issues when you turn on your tractor, a faulty starter may be the cause. At Reubicon Tractor Parts, we can provide you with a high-quality, affordable aftermarket Mahindra tractor starter and related parts. But, before we dive into our extensive aftermarket tractor parts catalog, let’s look at some common signs that your starter may be malfunctioning. 

5 Signs That Your Starter Is Malfunctioning

Your tractor’s starter converts electrical energy into mechanical motion and engages the flywheel to turn the engine, so it’s obviously a part you don’t want to act up. These are some of the most common signs that your starter is not working the way it should.  In some cases, there may be other causes for these issues, but they are often related to a faulty starter.

1. Clicking Noises

If you hear a single click or a series of rapid clicks when you start your tractor, this could be caused by a failing starter solenoid or starter motor. If you hear a single click, this is typically a starter issue related to a faulty solenoid, and we do carry affordable aftermarket Mahinda tractor solenoids in our aftermarket Mahindra parts catalog online. Rapid clicking also can be a sign of low battery voltage. It’s smart to test the battery strength. If the battery is in good shape, the starter is the likely culprit. 

2. The Engine Won’t Crank (or Cranks intermittently)

If the dash lights come on but the engine won’t turn over, the starter motor is not engaging and may need to be replaced. Even if you notice intermittent starting, where the engine eventually turns on, this is a common sign that the starter is malfunctioning, and you’ll need to replace it with a new aftermarket Mahindra starter. 

3. Grinding or Whirring Sounds

A grinding noise is indicative that the starter gear is not engaging correctly with the flywheel. If you notice a whirring noise, this often means that the starter motor is spinning, but it’s not meshing with the flywheel. 

If you notice grinding, first check the starter mounting to ensure that there are no loose or misaligned bolts, as this can be the culprit and an easy fix. If this isn’t the issue, check the flywheel, and if that seems damaged, you may need to replace the flywheel. If the flywheel and bolts seem fine, you likely need to replace the starter motor. 

4. Smoke or a Burning Smell

If you notice smoke coming from the starter area or notice a burning electrical smell, this could be caused by the starter overheating, especially if you’ve made multiple attempts to crank the engine. 

5. Heat-Related Starter Issues

Occasionally, a tractor will develop a starter issue where it starts fine when cold, but won’t start after it’s been running for a while. This means the solenoid or starter may be damaged and needs replacement. 

Keep in mind that many Mahindra tractor models have integrated starter-solenoid units. In some older models, you can replace either the solenoid or the starter or both, but with the newer designs, you will need to replace the entire unit. Again, our selection of aftermarket Mahindra tractor parts does include solenoids and starters, as well as integrated units, depending on your specific model.

The DIY Option: Can You Replace a Starter On Your Own?

Yes, in many cases, you can swap out the old starter for a new aftermarket Mahindra starter. Generally, the tools you’ll to replace the starter, include:

A socket set and ratchet (typically metric is needed for Mahindra tractors)

• Wrenches (box-end wrenches for tight spaces)
• Screwdrivers
• Torque wrench
• Dielectric grease or anti-corrosion spray
• Shop towels/rags
• Safety gloves & safety glasses 

When handling this repair, it’s important to park the tractor on flat, stable ground and disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent shorts. You also will need to remove covers, panels or air intake parts that might block access to the starter. 

Once you’ve located the starter, you will want to remove the main battery cable and any control wires attached to the solenoid, and it’s smart to take a photo before removal so that you can reconnect these wires more easily. 

From there, you will need to unbolt the starter carefully, supporting it with one hand, while removing the bolts. Gently pull the starter from the flywheel housing and set it on the ground. After that, you can position the new starter into place, aligning it with the mounting holes. Then hand-thread the bolts to avoid cross-threading, then torque them to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications.

After you’ve completed that step, you can reattach the battery cable and control wires and add a dab of grease to prevent corrosion. Then you can reconnect the negative battery cable and turn the key. If everything is in order, the engine should crank quickly and cleanly. 

It can be smart to watch a few how-to videos before attempting this level of repair, as the details listed above may not be sufficient to ensure a proper repair. It is simply meant to provide you with a general idea of how to replace your old starter with a new aftermarket Mahindra starter. 

If the tractor is still under warranty, it’s wise to just let a mechanic handle the job. If there is a lot of corrosion or stripped threads or if the mounting bolts are in awkward positions and require specialty tools to remove, this also can increase the difficulty of the job, and it might be best to use a professional tractor mechanic.

Need Affordable Tractor Parts? Trust Reubicon

For 20+ years, Reubicon Tractor Parts has been a trusted provider of affordable aftermarket Mahindra parts and aftermarket Mahindra tractor filters. Whether you need an aftermarket Mahindra tractor starter or another of our fine products, you can trust that every part we sell will work seamlessly in your tractor. We also carry a wide selection of aftermarket Mahindra Roxor parts, aftermarket Case IH parts and more.