The "Un-startable" 149
 

Hello Cub Cadet Fans. I need your help with an electrical debug challenge.

My 149 was running, lost power and limped into the barn. Now when I try to start it I get a rapid clicking at the selonoid, not cranking at all and no spark.

As I've checked it out, the neutral switch and pto safetys appear to be functional - they stop the selonoid from clicking when the safety's are not engaged.

Coil appears to test acceptable based on the post for testing it.

So, my best guess is I've either got something between the selonoid and the Starter generator, a starter generator problem or wiring in that area. Or, some mystery gremlin in the points and condenser.

No visible wiring disconnects.

I'm good with nuts and bolts, not so good with a multimeter. Any suggestions for the next step? :bigthink:

Do you have a short, IE bare wire somewhere that has rubbed over time, etc? Also, crap can build up on the battery and cause the same problem, a short. Cleaning up the batt. cables at the terminals can help too.

OR

Is your battery dead? Did you try putting on a charger for a while?

Found something - Last time it was running, I had just made a sweeping right hand turn down a small hill and back up when it lost power. Found one loose post nut "wiggly wire" on the solenoid and carefully tightened the nut with insulated tools.

Battery is on charger now. Suspect the wire may have been "a little" loose, but not moved far before that and charging may have been impacted by the loose connection.

Here's hoping it'll fire up next time out.

Alan I hope that fixes it for you.:beerchug:

Awesome, hope the fix was that simple for ya!

Hope you got it straightened out. :beerchug:

Check all the grounds while you are at it.
From the battery to the frame always seems to be a trouble spot.

Hope that fixed it for you if not I'd try some jumper cable from positive post of the battery and the outer post on the start gen. If it flies over and fires the problem is in the wiring between battery and starter at least you know it's not the expensive stuff!

Hey ajcombs - just need to double check on that Starter Generator post jumper idea. From the Positive terminal on the battery the jumper cable goes to which terminal - the one farthest out from the motor with a single large wire attached and not the post with the spilt wires on it?

Status - not so much progress - update
 

Here's where I am now. I found one worn wire casing near the neutral safety switch, wrapped that up nicely with fresh electrical tape and secured the wire into the clips.

Yup, the battery was absolutely dead, wouldn't even show a full amp on the trickle charge trying to charge.

Swapped a battery from my "back-up tractor" (I don't have a parts tractor, that other one will be back up and running again some day). Put that battery on charge all day - still get clicking and no cranking.

Trying to match up my electrical diagram with advice to jumper cable to a post of the Starter generator. Would it be positive battery terminal to post "A" on the SG?

Starting to think I'm headed for expensive parts.