149 starting problem
 

I was rolling my yard and all was going well. I parked the roller behind my shed, shut down my 149, then when I turned the key to start it up again, nothing. The amp gauge doesn't move at all....lights come on fine. Battery is fairly new. Checked all the connections under the dash....all good. Could it be the ignition switch? My Cub is dead in the water. Not gonna be easy to tow it to my garage so I can work on it and even more of a challenge to load it on a trailer if I take it somewhere for service.
Any ideas? Thanks so much!

Maybe your pto handle is in the on position?

I did the same sort of thing a few years back with the same tractor, 149. I was pulling a lawn sweeper and didn't want to go very fast so I reduced the throttle a good bit. After running it a while like that it just quit.
I tried to start it and nothing, battery was to low on voltage to crank it. I guessed that the generator wasn't charging the battery at such a low engine speed or the voltage regulator was bad or needed adjusting or replaced.
You might want to check those two things as well.

And is the brake pedal down?

If neither the PTO lever or the brake pedal prove to be the culprit, check the interlock switches--underneath the tunnel cover for the brake pedal and inside the dash for the PTO lever. Either switch will prevent starting.

Also make sure the connections at the battery are clean and good. Had the same thing happen to my 1650. Started and ran fine, then all of sudden nothing. Checked everything, did lots of diagnosing, finally decided to replace the battery terminals. Problem solved.

puzzled
 

I checked to make sure the PTO was in off position, the brake pedal is locked, and tried to jump it. Nothing. The lights work fine, too. I removed the tunnel cover, but not sure what the interlock switches are. Everything 'appeared' to be fine, but.....Only thing I can remember that seemed odd, was when I shut it off to remove the lawn roller, the drive was not exactly in neutral, and it made a weird noise when it shut down, but I've heard that before. Just seems strange that it does suddenly like that. :bash:

It will not start if it's not in neutral, but stepping on the brake should put it in neutral.

This little thingy should be on the brake pedal rockshaft.
They have been know to break off.

Let’s back up some Mooner. You need to test voltage with DVOM or test light. Start at battery positive, then go to big power terminal on start solenoid that also has small control wire, then both sides of amp gauge, then keyswitch b terminal, then key switch s terminal while holding in start, then both sides of pto switch, then both sides of brake switch, then start solenoid small terminal.All should have at or near 12 volts. Find out where 12. Lots goes away and there’s your issue. See below link for diagram to reference

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?p=22

I have been working with Mooner and yes, the little dealie, springy switchy, thingy is MIA! Part number is 732-3000. :beerchug:

Maybe a propeller will work.

Bypassing it is not.....

spring switch
 

Yep, it's true....my spring switch thingy is missing! Must have broken off somewhere in my yard. I'll order the part tomorrow and hopefully be able to move my tractor out of the back yard. The neighbors were wanting to make a planter out of it! lol
Thanks, everyone, for all your help! I'll keep you posted. Thanks especially to Delta Cub, for walking me through this ordeal. :beerchug:

To move the tractor to the garage where you can work on it, reach under the tractor, find the connector plugged into the safety switch just in front of the brake rock shaft, pull it off the switch and plug a bent paper clip in it to bypass the switch. Start the tractor. Drive to the garage, pull the paper clip out, plug the connector back on the switch and replace the little springy thingy.

Thanks, Sawdust. This sure is a friendly and helpful bunch here on OCC. I'll be glad to get the Cub into the garage. :)

Well, I think I've checked all the connections. Still nothing. It did turn over when I first used the jumper wire, but stopped and never started or cranked again. :bash2:
Anyone know a priest who isn't busy today?

AS A TEST.....

Run a Jumper Wire from the Battery (+) post to the small terminal on the Starter Solenoid (ORG/BLK) wire and see if it rolls over.

:bigthink:

I love it when we all get to talk technical :biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

Why don't ya try "moonin" it?
maybe with the full moon out,
it might scare the no-start gremlins away. :biggrin2:
if that don't work do check the Bat-tree terminals, they can cause what you describe, it is easy & free.
Have you tried jumper cables from another vehicle? :beerchug:

Lol.....me too!!

So, I'm assuming the starter solenoid is located under the dash and therefore would be easier to access with the gas tank out of the way? The solenoid is mounted to the right side of the dash ? :bash2:

According to the Parts Diagram, it looks like it's in the Dash area.

It was on the left inside the dash tower on mine.

Success!
 

Well, it's fixed and parked in its rightful spot in the barn. Turns out, my tractor already had a jumper wire (tiny, and not easily visible) in the connector that attached to the safety switch that is activated by the foot pedal. I've owned this tractor for about 12 years and, apparently, hasn't had that spring switch lever in many years. So, in the end, I got to poking around and noticed the voltage regulator wire was loose. Removed the battery, crimped the wire connector, reattached, turned the key and it cranked over! I did put a new and improved jumper wire in that safety plug for now. I'll order a new switch and springy lever, but it's good to go. Over the past few days, I'd tinker with it, then come in the house and watch the Indians or Cavs or some of the NASCAR race, then I'd think of something else to try on the Cub. I'd read what you guys were offering for solutions and then go try that. I guess persistence just continues to pay off. Thanks to all of you for your help, for taking the time to offer your expertise! You guys are amazing! :beerchug: