LT1000 won't turn over

[SuperDave4x4]

Well I picked up another free lawn mower. It's a Craftsman LT1000 with a B&S 18hp Intek. It was last cranked two years ago. So you can imagine its condition. I got it to the house yesterday and for the heck of it we tried to start it, but it wouldn't turn over while being jumped off from a diesel pick up. So we touched the hot lead to the starter just to see if it would turn over at all and....it cranked! I was amazed. I drove it to the back yard and turned it off to see if I could start it from the battery. No dice however. I dropped a good battery and it still wouldn't turn over.

So it's obviously an electrical problem. What the best way to track down the issue or where's the best place to start? I've got a meter and I am getting power to the solenoid(on the battery side)but I don't know what to test from here.

The seat safety switch has been bypassed, but the clutch and blade engagement safety switches appear to be making contact.

Also since the mower did run and was drivable if a safety switch had been bad the mower would have never stayed running correct?

 

[Rivets]

Try this troubleshooting procedure.



Electrical* problems can be very easy or very difficult, depending on four things.
1. * How well you understand basic electricity.
2. *What tools you have and know how to use.
3. *How well you follow directions.
4. *You don't overlook or assume anything and verify everything.

Remember we cannot see what you are doing. *You are our eyes, ears and fingers in solving this problem. *You must be as accurate as you can when you report back. *The two basic tools we will ask you to use are a test light and a multi-meter. *If you have an assistant when going through these tests it would be very helpful. *These steps work the best when done in order, so please don't jump around. *Now let's solve this problem.

First, check the fuse(s), check battery connections for corrosion (clean if necessary) and *voltage - above 12.5 volts should be good.*

Second, check for power from the battery to one of the large terminals on the solenoid. *One of the wires is connected directly to the battery and has power all the time so one of the large terminals should light a test light or show 12 volts on a meter at all times.*

Third, *check for power at the small terminal of the solenoid while depressing the clutch/brake pedal and holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch). If your solenoid is a four wire solenoid, check both small wire terminals as one is ground and the other is power from the ignition switch. *If your solenoid is a three wire solenoid, make sure the solenoid body is not corroded where it bolts to the chassis of the mower as this is your ground path back to the battery. *If in doubt, remove the solenoid and clean the mounting area down to bare metal. *If there is no power to the small terminal then your problem is most likely a safety switch, ignition switch or in the wiring.*

Fourth, check for power on the other large terminal of the solenoid while holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch). *If you have power what is the voltage?

Fifth, check for power at the starter while holding the key in the start position (assistant again). *If you have power what is the voltage?

Sixth, check your ground circuit back to the battery.

After you have gone through each of the above steps, let us know what happened when you did each step. *At that point we will have great info to tell you how to proceed. *Remember you are our eyes, ears, and fingers, so please be as accurate as possible.

Be as specific as possible with voltage readings as this will help diagnose your problem quicker. *If you do not know how to perform the above checks, just ask and I will try to guide you through it. *Youtube also has some videos and as you know a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[DaveTN]

If it cranks over by jumping it directly to the starter and ground out on the frame with the negative cable, then it sounds like you've got a safety switch issue. Just be careful when you're cranking it over like that if the switch is ON and IN GEAR, it will take off on its own! Don't ask me "how" I know that! lol

 

[SuperDave4x4]

Thanks for the tips y'all. I'll finally get to tinker with it tomorrow. I've been so busy lately I haven't even been able to touch any of my projects.

I'll let y'all know what I find out!