QuestionQUESTION: Its a 12 volt hydraulic pump with a hard-wired remote. I built the dump trailer at home using an old car-hauling trailer frame and bought the pump and reservoir unit from a trailer dealer.
It has worked fine for 2 1/2 years though I have had to open the remote and clean the contacts once or twice.
Now it will make a clicking/buzzing noise when the remote switch is closed for the lifting operation, but no lift. The vibration is in the solenoid that is mounted on the motor body.
I have cleaned all the electrical connections at the battery, switch, solennoid, etc., with no effect.
I opened the solenoid last night to discover that it would be tricky to alter anything inside the body without damaging something.
The dealer suggested that the solenoid might need to be replaced, or the valves may be dirty and stuck. Haven't opened the valves yet. Can you help me isolate the problem?
Thanks, Chuck G
ANSWER: Odds are that the solenoid is bad, I've seen them fail frequently.
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QUESTION: I am not sure now whether it was the solenoid. I replaced it with a similar one that would apply to an older model Ford. It has two large terminals and one smaller one that I assume closes a connection from the push button control to close and activate the larger ones. It did the same thing- just vibrated.
I think I may have burned up the new one testing it, or it may be possible that I connected something wrongly, though I am fairly certain that I reconnected everything as it has been since new. Now it does nothing.
If the pump motor is shot could it cause the solenoid to give this kind of reaction?
I am thinking that I could test the solenoid by checking continuity across the large terminals when the control circuit is energized?
What would be the next thing to try? Thanks for bearing with me.
CG
Answer The Ford solenoid does not work like the pump solenoid. The Ford unit grounds through the bracket, whereas most solenoids for pumps or other electric motors use the extra small terminal. Almost all solenoids will have a little diagram showing how they are wired, if not in the box then in the catalog next to the picture of the unit. I have a feeling you need a different solenoid. I would go to the nearest farm store or snow plow vendor to get the right one.
