Ignition Switch

cfinney · #1 01-17-2010, 09:58 AM

Is there an easy way to check that the ignition switch is working properly on my 149? I seem to have an electrical problem and when we jumped the terminals on the solenoid (has 4 terminals instead of 3, is that correct?) switch the tractor will turn over. I'm not an electrical guru. any advice on where to go from here? Thanks,
Jason

R Bedell · #2 01-17-2010, 10:52 AM

cfinney:

First, welcome to our Forum............

The 149 did NOT come with a four prong Ignition Switch. Thus, if you have one, it is the wrong switch.

Here is the correct part for your Tractor..... P/N: IH-60736-C3

Here is a simplified Diagram for the 1x8/9 Ignition Switch

Legend....

Off = No Contacts Made
Run = B + I
Start = B + I + S

PS:

If you post a picture of the switch you got, along with the Brand Name, Part Number, and terminal identification, we maybe able to make what you got work.

Yosemite Sam · #3 01-17-2010, 12:32 PM

Hard to tell from your post but it kinda sounds like you (or someone) put a 4 wire solenoid on your 149, is this correct? If so it will work but it may not be hooked up right.

If it's been working ok up until now and it all of a sudden it doesn't... Check the safety switches on the PTO and brake pedal.

If those things don't help any, go here, http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22
Using your test light, start at the battery and work your way through the system until you find out where electricity should be but isn't.

It would also be helpful if we had a little history on the problem... (Has it been doing this off and on for awhile, have you changed any parts, have you had the tractor long or did you just get it) What ever information that could be of use to help diagnose the problem... It's really hard to help with a problem over the internet without specifics.

There are a lot of knoledable people here who are eager to help, and not very many who will laugh at anyone just because they aren't well versed about something.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Rhoderman · #4 01-17-2010, 01:01 PM

If it's a 4-wire solenoid (not ignition switch), it should have two big terminals, and two small ones. The small ones should be marked S and I for Start and Ignition. Back in the day, the I terminal put a full 12V to the coil when starting, bypassing the ballast resistor. The resistor made it 6V on the coil when running so it wouldn't overheat.
You don't need to use the I terminal on your tractor. You need battery on one big terminal, and maybe pick off your ammeter/switch feed. The other big terminal is the starter. Hook your small switched start wire (from the key switch) to the S terminal. The solenoid needs to be grounded well to work. Also, the battery and engine need to both be connected to ground very well.
Welcome to the OCC forum Jason! Good Luck!

cfinney · #5 01-17-2010, 04:46 PM

Ok, so we pulled out the ignition switch and checked it with a multimeter. Good. We were getting good voltage to the coil, but no spark. when we jumped the terminals on the solenoid, the tractor turned over. We replaced the solenoid (put in the original style 3 terminal one) and wired it up. The tractor fired right up (after we put gas in it)! So, it is finally running...just need to get the PTO working properly now. By the way, my name is Butch, the tractor is my sons. My son initially posted under my username by mistake.

Butch