129 hard starting - looking for some helpful suggestions

[three4rd]

Hi,

Back in the summer, I reported on this forum that my 129 often did not want to start. It would crank for the most part (sometimes faster, sometimes slower) and often made these screeching noises while trying to start. It was suggested here that perhaps the compression release was the fault. A new battery did not solve the problem (even though the starting problem - slow cranking, etc. sure seemed like a low battery issue). I sent it in to the shop over the summer and they seemed to think the compression release mechanism is ok. They removed the head and valves, replaced one, cut the valve seats, and put in a new starter. When it came back it ran quite well up until these past few weeks. Granted that we've had some extremely cold weather here in PA, and so I thought once again that maybe the battery is low, but I had it checked today and it tests good - fully charged. The last time I needed it to plow my driveway after a snowstorm I managed to get it started by jumping it from my car battery. Today, however, I tried that and it made no difference in how it cranked. In fact it really seemed to place a load on the car while it was cranking. So, it starts sometimes- actually rather easily and other times not at all and very slow cranking. I'd swear that the battery is near dead the way it sometimes barely cranks at all. Unfortunately, it didn't start until after I had shoveled my driveway by hand instead of being able to plow it. This is all getting really frustrating. I subscribe to the advice here to keep fixing up this old one since I realize they are made better than the new tractors but I really need this to start in times like this. Any suggestions? It also had a completely new wiring harness put in only 2 years ago, and has virtually a whole new electrical system. I replaced the plug, coil, voltage regulator, and points. I'm about ready to give up. Could this be some electrical issue that has been overlooked? What should I be looking for or checking?

Thanks for any help.

Keith

[J-Mech]

If it pulled your car down while cranking, sounds like the S/G is getting tired. May be a bad ground, poor connection also.

[Billy-O]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

If it pulled your car down while cranking, sounds like the S/G is getting tired. May be a bad ground, poor connection also.

YES... bad ground or poor connection! Probably one the most simple and overlooked issues!

[three4rd]

OK...so can you tell me how I can check this - where it is located and what to look for? Right now I'm checking into the compression release system - took off the cover and want to make sure the spring is engaged properly. Please let me know how to check what you are referring to.

Thanks!