Spike Camp
Weatherby Nation => Around the Campfire (General Discussion) => Topic started by: TexWeatherby on May 22, 2020, 05:36:38 PM
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I know this isn't a mower forum, but I know a few of you guys have them, so I thought I'd throw this question out. My zero-turn mower suddenly decided not to start anymore. When you turn the key, nothing. First, I thought it must be the battery, but the battery is good, wiring all looks good, starter cranks when you jump the starter solenoid, but no start. The mower has five relays in the electrical system and I tried switching them around, (thought maybe a bad start relay) still dead. Replaced the PTO switch, as a worn out one can cause this, but that wasn't it either. Anybody know if a bad relay (not just the start relay) anywhere in a system could cause this? I'm really stumped. Oh yeah, and I put jumpers on the safety switches to rule those out.
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Have you removed the spark plug to see if you are getting a spark? remove spark plug then reatach spark plug wire to spark plug using insulated pliers hold spark plug to engine and crank a couple times to see if you are getting a spark.
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Haven't done that. I know it won't fire if there is a safety switch or relay problem. I guess I should check anyway though.
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The PTO switch may be bad. Won’t start if the switch is telling the rest of the electronics it’s on. Or the stupid switch under the seat.
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My wife is the zero turn mower expert around our place. ;D
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Have you been burning Ethanol fuel?
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Could be the main fuse. Also the steer handles must be in place. The starter is also the generator on most.
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Make sure the parking brake is set.... Most will not start/crank if its off and you try to re-start.
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Did you try calling it a bad name then kicking it?
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what brand and model is it?? but they all basicly the same, if you turn the key and nothing happens here some of the things to check are:
1) bad battery or loose connections at battery or/and starter
2) main ignition fuse and relays- maybe faulty
3) pto switch- maybe faulty
4) parking brake not on, or faulty brake switch
5) steering levers not in position of faulty steering lever switches
6) seat pressure switch if it has one- maybe faulty
7) low oil pressure switch if it has one- maybe faulty
I know you said you checked some of these things, it's most likely the bad main ignition fuse or a bad relay.
Rob
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Thanks for the input, I have tried all these things, including checking the fuse and jumping the safety switches on the handles. The brake safety switch is good and the seat safety switch has had a jumper wire on it since I got the mower years ago (pain in the ass when mowers shut off if you have to step off for a second). I'm still thinking there could be a bad relay. Not sure if a bad relay anywhere (there are five) could prevent starting. I switched them around several times - no difference.
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I just went through this with a Husqvarna zero turn. Turns out it was the ignition switch.
I replaced it two weeks ago and no further issues.
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I thought about the ignition switch but didn't really consider it a likely problem. I'll check that out, it's about the only thing I haven't checked! Thanks.
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Hope it works out! :)
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did we fix it?
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did we fix it?
Ya your keeping us in suspense. ???
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My wife has been in a very bad way the past few days and I had to take her to the hospital today, so I have not had time to address the mower. They are doing tests and scans and keeping her until at least tomorrow, so I'm not sure when I'll get back on the mower problem. I think the ignition switch idea is a good possibility, so I need to figure out which wires do what and either test with an ohm meter or jump the right wires and see if she starts. Thanks for the interest guys. When I get it solved, I'll share for everybody's future reference.
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Wish your wife a speedy recovery!
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I hope all goes well for your wife. Will keep her and you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Sorry to hear about your wife!!! She will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Sorry to hear about your wife prayers are with you and her.
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Yes take care of your wife, praying for speedy recovery.
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Sorry to hear about your Wife.Prayers sent
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Thanks guys. much appreciated.
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Sorry to hear about your wife Tex, we'll keep you guys on our daily prayers for your wife's quick recovery.
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Sorry to hear about your Wife. Hope she has a speedy recovery
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Prayers and blessings for your wife and you.
Duane
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Prayers for the wife's speedy recovery my friend!
Donnie
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Thanks again for the well wishes. My wife is slowly (very slowly) improving. The mower saga continues. I finally just called the mower shop to pick it up tomorrow. Tried everything I could come up with. I just pulled all five relays this morning and tested them with an ohm meter and they are all good with clicking on power and zero resistance showing on the meter. That was the last shot I could take at it. I'll share the mystery when they figure it out.
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Hope things continue to improve for your wife! and even your mower.
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Well gents, the mystery is solved. The shop told me they found a wire that was broken internally, with no visible signs of the breakage. It took them a long time to find which wire and trace to the exact spot, so I got a hefty labor bill for all that time. The wiring diagram from the manufacturer is crap, so that didn't help either. I suspect the wire originally had a defect and after 9 years of use, finally broke from vibration or movement from bouncing along (some of the terrain I mow is fairly bumpy). Being that the problem occurred intermittently a couple times before it finally became permanent. I think that the wire was beginning to separate, but still making contact most of the time, then finally broke completely. So, on a no crank situation, if you've checked out all components with no solution, get a meter and start checking continuity on every wire till you find the bad one. The wiring all looked fine from the outside, so don't trust that like I did.
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Well, mystery solved and you'll probably get another 9 years of service out of the old girl. Some things are just out of the scope of shady garage repair.
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Glad you got it fixed! :)
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Glad its fixed, hopefully things are looking up!!
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Thanks guys. The wife is getting a little better each week. Now if I could just find a job! God is good, even though this year has been a disaster. Hope this mower solution helps somebody out someday.
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Glad you got it fixed, and Happy to hear your wife is coming along.
My wife's mower didn't want to start for my daughter the other day. Wife came and cleaned some clipping out from behind the steering lever that has to be pushed out to start.
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Tex glad to hear your wife is doing better and your mower is fixed. How are you doing i know you had some issues as well? I hope you are doing fine as well as your wife. :)
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Thanks again. I actually have an appt with my urologist this Tuesday to hear his recommendations on cancer treatment. A while back Genomic testing and an MRI were done and the results were pretty good - odds of the cancer spreading in my prostate or beyond are pretty low. Hoping the doc is going to say we'll do what's known as "active surveillance" which means you have a PSA test done three times a year and keep a close eye on things. Years ago, they just chopped out a lot of men's prostates that didn't need to come out, but not these days. What I was dreading most actually is that after any prostate treatment (surgery, chemo, or radiation) there's usually no more boners, so sex is all shot to hell. Guys, keep tabs on your PSA number - get checked every year. It's a potential killer that can sneak up on you.