Cub Cadet 147 wiring question

Dave607 · #1 07-23-2018, 03:04 PM

Hi folks,

I was happily cutting my lawn the other day, when my old girl just sputtered and quit running. After a quick inspection I noticed there was a wire that seemed to break off the generator. I see it’s the positive wire from the coil.

I am by no means a mechanic, but from my reading of the manual, I believe the positive coil wire is supposed to run to the ignition switch. So now I’m confused! I’ve owned this tractor for 4 years and never had a problem, but I’m not sure how to reattach this wire or even where on the generator it was attached to begin with.

Cub Cadet 147 with 14 hp Kohler. I hope the pictures help and I really appreciate any advice you have.

J-Mech · #2 07-23-2018, 03:19 PM

Well Dave..... yes, it is supposed to run to the ignition switch. Shouldn't have ever been connected to the S/G. Now, I'm not where I can look at a 147...I have one at home though. But, I would think it would just go into the harness near the S/G. I see what appears to be the other end of the wire. HOWEVER.... You have much bigger issues than just that. It appears you have bare wires at the S/G on the battery terminal. I'm not sure what the rest of the wiring looks like, but that is a dead short waiting to happen. If you don't get that fixed, you may be looking for another tractor. Unhook the battery, and see what the rest of the wiring looks like. If you need to get it going, you can run a jumper from the coil wire direct to battery positive to run it to move. Don't forget you will have to unhook the wire to shut it off. I strongly suggest getting a hold of member Mlamar and ordering a new wiring harness. Doesn't look like yours is worth trying to patch up. Looks like the wire coating is very brittle.

If you refuse to replace the harness, I would bare minimum get the wires at the S/G repaired, and run a new coil wire from the ignition switch all the way to the coil.

Dave607 · #3 07-23-2018, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Well Dave..... yes, it is supposed to run to the ignition switch. Shouldn't have ever been connected to the S/G. Now, I'm not where I can look at a 147...I have one at home though. But, I would think it would just go into the harness near the S/G. I see what appears to be the other end of the wire. HOWEVER.... You have much bigger issues than just that. It appears you have bare wires at the S/G on the battery terminal. I'm not sure what the rest of the wiring looks like, but that is a dead short waiting to happen. If you don't get that fixed, you may be looking for another tractor. Unhook the battery, and see what the rest of the wiring looks like. If you need to get it going, you can run a jumper from the coil wire direct to battery positive to run it to move. Don't forget you will have to unhook the wire to shut it off. I strongly suggest getting a hold of member Mlamar and ordering a new wiring harness. Doesn't look like yours is worth trying to patch up. Looks like the wire coating is very brittle.

Thanks Jonathan! Yeah that bare wire is where I believe the coil was attached, as it was covered in crumbling shrink tubing as was the coil wire. I just touched it and it flaked off. I will definitely get a new wire harness. Better safe than sorry.

If you refuse to replace the harness, I would bare minimum get the wires at the S/G repaired, and run a new coil wire from the ignition switch all the way to the coil.

That sounds like the plan.

Dave607 · #4 07-23-2018, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironman

That wire from the + side of the coil is supposed to go to the ignition switch. It rides along with the wires going to the starter/generator but comes out of the harness all by itself about 8 inches before the end where s/g wires are, along the inside of the frame. You are going to have to get down underneath and look/feel around. Your photo shows what looks like a crimp splice at the end of the wire. I'd bet someone fixed it once before and it has just come apart. Find the end down below, crimp them back together and you'll be back in business.

Thanks for the reply! I’ll look around under along the frame. But the wire is really short and half of it was covered in old crumbled shrink tubing just like that bare wire on the battery side of the s/g, so that’s where I was thinking someone attached it before? Would it actually work if it was spliced into that side of the s/g?

jbrewer · #5 07-23-2018, 04:40 PM

If it was to the battery side of the SG it could start, but I would think it would run the battery down when the engine is off. All the coil needs is 12V on the primary and you're good to go. If I remember right, that harness splits out the + coil connection from the ignition switch right in that area of the harness.

I'd do what IronMan says. Should take 10 min :-)

Dave607 · #6 07-23-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrewer

If it was to the battery side of the SG it could start, but I would think it would run the battery down when the engine is off. All the coil needs is 12V on the primary and you're good to go. If I remember right, that harness splits out the + coil connection from the ignition switch right in that area of the harness.

I'd do what IronMan says. Should take 10 min :-)

Thanks for the help! I’ll start looking around. I’ve never had any battery issues, so it probably wasn’t connected where I was thinking on the s/g. Thanks again

J-Mech · #7 07-23-2018, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrewer

If it was to the battery side of the SG it could start, but I would think it would run the battery down when the engine is off. All the coil needs is 12V on the primary and you're good to go. If I remember right, that harness splits out the + coil connection from the ignition switch right in that area of the harness.

I'd do what IronMan says. Should take 10 min :-)

It would never shut off if it was connected to the S/G.

I don't see any posts from ironman..... he must have deleted it.

cooperino · #8 07-23-2018, 06:59 PM

Not sure if OP saw this yet.. Its in the tech library I think a well

olds45512 · #9 07-23-2018, 07:28 PM

The 1x6/7 series tractors are know for having rotten wiring harnesses. I would get a new one and not have to worry about wiring issues ever again. Here's a link to a member that makes harnesses.

https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=34457

darkminion_17 · #10 07-23-2018, 08:26 PM

Looks pretty bad, maybe one of our members are close to you to help you.
Are you located near New York City?