LT1018 suddenly no click no start not dead battery
 

Hi-
I have a long standing issue with my lt1018. When it runs it runs great but sometimes it seems to be barely willing to turn over or not turn over at all. I know it's not the solenoid or starter motor because I bench tested them.
Also, applied power directly to the starter and it started. I was happily cutting grass for 15 minutes when it suddenly died. No start! Nothing! The only thing that lights up is the panel and sometimes the lights but weakly.
I know it's a loose connection somewhere but don't know where to start. My wife wants me to toss it but it really is a good machine as far as engine and mower go.
Thanks in advance for any help or tips

My advice....keep the tractor, toss the wife.

I like the 1st advice..... however as far as I'm concern about your CC... it seems as if you have two (or more) problems. The tractor shutting down may be safety switches related such as maybe pto relays or seat switch. The other where the tractor slow to start is battery connections.... needs to nice, bright and tight. Including ground!

Check out the wiring diagram....scroll down to your model:
https://www.ccpartsnmore.com/cub-cad...V6mow52Yb6r0V_

Just to add to what has been said.
Sometimes the crimped on terminals at the heavy wires to/from the batt-tree/
solenoid look good but where the wires are inside of the terminals they corrode and will not carry the amperage needed.
always give them a good look over also wiggling/pulling on them.:bigthink:

Classic situation of potentially bad grounding. My advice is remove and clean to bare metal all the grounds. Run a 8 gage dedicated ground wire from the battery (or the battery to frame point) to the engine block.

Thanks everyone. The fact that headlights don't light or are very dim means bad battery connection? Correct? Because headlights are not affected by safety switches?

could be a problematic battery.
Does it load test within range?
Have you removed the terminals and made sure the connections are clean and good?
Are the ignition switch terminals clean and making good connections?
this is not a 10 foot observation, but A HANDS ON CHECKING.:bigthink:

Decided to replace battery cables

Made new wires with new terminals. Crimped and soldered. Attached terminals back to battery, solenoid and ground. Everything i did made no difference. Don't get a peep out of her. Panel and lights don't even go on. Don't know what else to try.?

Are you consulting the wiring diagram as you go along?

https://www.ccpartsnmore.com/cub-cad...8LjWx9am2E7cCH

Also, note that there is a fuse.