149 Starting problems
 

It has been a long while since I last spent any real time with my Cubs. Darn horses and hockey!

I pulled out the old 149 that has been idle way too long with the hope of using it for snow removal this winter, put in the battery from my lawn cutting tractor and turned the key...NOTHING! Headlights do work when the key is turned on but nothing else.

Any tips on what how best to trouble shoot ignition electrical issues, I'm not to sharp on the electrical stuff.

I'm not the greatest with electrical either, but always start with the dumbest thing, like with a car I always start with the fuses and go from there. Since the only fuse is for the electric pto switch (IIRC) then I would check to see if the switch is good and if the ground points are good.
I know it's not much but it's a place to start.

Check all connections, especially the grounds. Clean them up as necessary.

Make sure the PTO lever is off, brake depressed and both switches work. Go to the tech section, find the correct wiring diagram and follow it.

I made the mistake one day trying to start my 102 with PTO engaged, it was a lesson that I won't soon forget :biggrin2:

Might be a bad solenoid...
 

After poking around looking for loose connections, pulled off the gas tank and hooked up the VOM to the solenoid since it is easy to get to, connected the small screw and ground turned the key and the VOM read 11.65, but no solenoid "click", connecting the large posts nothing...thinking that sitting idle for that long it went and got stuck.

The solenoid looks pretty new, compared to everything else, I may have put that in 4 years ago when I got this tractor (it had been sitting in a field for 3-4 years when I got it), don't know for sure since I can't find my 149 binder with all my information.

if the solenoid clicks but the starter doesnt start try moving the wires back and forth on the posts to try to get a connection, that is what I had to do.

This makes no sense at all...... You did what? :Unknown:

Your battery sounds weak or there is a draw on it when connected to the tractor. Check the voltage with one one of the wires off, it should read 12.5 volts or a little more.

Then put the wires back on, with the key off voltage should be the same.

Voltage at the solenoid (large lug from battery) should be the same as battery voltage (key off). Small lug may be just a tiny bit less when the key is turned (if there is no "click" or other activity).

If the battery voltage drops when the wires are connected, there is a draw somewhere.

If the battery voltage does not drop when the battery is connected and the criteria above is not met, there is no need to be looking for something else until these items are as they should be.

I think he means he connected his VOM to ground and the other lead to the small post on the solenoid to see if it was getting 12v from the key.

You could just jump the two big wires on the solenoid together and see if it cranks, just make sure the pto is off and it's in neutral before you do that.