104 starter/generator problem

[bpientka]

My 104 has become my trailer hauling tractor. Maybe 1 out of 30 starts the starter won’t turn. If I manually spin the starter slightly it then seems to work fine.

Seems like I got a bad spot on the starter/generator.

Any suggestion?

 

[RayF]

most likely carbon buildup on the commutator, short brush, or weak brush spring.
These are not hard to rebuild, replace brushes, bearings, etc... if you have even minimal mechanical skills.
I believe the process is gone over in the shop manual.