Need help! JD 185 won't start - just clicks

M

MikeL77

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• May 6, 2011 / Need help! JD 185 won't start - just clicks

• #1

My JD 185 hydro won't start. Turn the key and dash lights up and kinda the starter kinda clicks. Just replaced the battery and had the starter/solenoid rebuilt, because it wouldn't start - it was just clicking! Arrrrrgh!!! I cleaned all the major electrical contacts for hots and grounds. I replaced the ignition switch last year and it seems to be working fine. Engine won't turn over though.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Mike L.

 

J

jeff

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• May 7, 2011 / Need help! JD 185 won't start - just clicks

• #2

Starter gear or brushes

 

M

MikeL77

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• May 7, 2011 / Need help! JD 185 won't start - just clicks

• #3

Starter was just rebuilt by pros. If it's not the starter/solenoid, or battery, or ignition switch, or positive and negative battery cables, what else could it be. Dash lights up, and it clicks when I turn the key.
Mechanics I know are scratchin' their heads on this.

 

M

MikeL77

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• May 9, 2011 / Need help! JD 185 won't start - just clicks

• #4

The culprit was a bad connection in the brake safety switch. It was working, but apparently not well enough to allow the mower to start. So, I disconnected many of the contacts in the 26 year old mower and found many corroded. I filed and cleaned them up. On three, I actually cut off the connectors and put new connectors on them. Mowing again.