Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running

soapii

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
I have a TCII with under 100 hours (bought new) and in the past couple weeks it has developed the following issue. Initial startup is fine, but after cutting for an hour or so, if I turn the mower off for any reason it will not restart. Gas is full, oil is good, all safeties are in place (sticks, e-brake, seat).........so I am at a loss here. Battery has a full charge too. It won't even crank, just turn the key and nothing. I assume it has to be some electrical gremlin because mechanical failures usually do not come and go. As I said, when it starts it runs great, zero issues.

I tried Google (which is ultimately how I got here) and it seems like the TCII and TTII have issues with the relays and/or fuses, is this true? Any way I can narrow down what to check before going through the entire wiring harness? Are their common relays or switches that tend to fail?

EDIT.......it's a 61" with 23hp Kawasaki 730FX engine.

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

--Joe
 
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John R

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
If it's still in warranty get a hold of your dealer
 

soapii

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
John,

Thanks for the reply. It is within the warranty but I'd rather just do it myself, I have no way of getting it to the dealer anyway.

--Joe
 

Sweats

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
I had what turned out to be a dead fuel pump while under warranty last summer. Rented a U-Haul truck, not a very big one either. Got it on a hill, used some ramps I made from a couple of 2 x 12s and a kit from Lowes and my wife and I pushed the mower (Tiger Cat II, 61" deck) in. When we got it to the dealer, one of the guys said that if we'd have called, they'd have picked it up. Oh. They did trailer it back home. So, you never know.
 

bertsmobile1

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
I had what turned out to be a dead fuel pump while under warranty last summer. Rented a U-Haul truck, not a very big one either. Got it on a hill, used some ramps I made from a couple of 2 x 12s and a kit from Lowes and my wife and I pushed the mower (Tiger Cat II, 61" deck) in. When we got it to the dealer, one of the guys said that if we'd have called, they'd have picked it up. Oh. They did trailer it back home. So, you never know.

Yes you have an electrical problem.
When it does this next time, pull the dip stick and check the oil level.
If the oil level is low the mower will not crank ( safety feature ) so if the level is marginal, oil gets flung all around the engine so the oil level drops just enough to trigger the switch till it has all drained back again.
Multi grades that are old can also exhibit this as when the oil thins it does not float the valve in the switch.
Then the switch itself could be bad.
 

Luffydog

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
Pto switch is prob the cause on your issue. Do u have a test light? Buy the way does yours have the tiger eye?
 

John R

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
John,

Thanks for the reply. It is within the warranty but I'd rather just do it myself, I have no way of getting it to the dealer anyway.

--Joe

If you mess with it, it may void the warranty you do have.
 

mcdonell

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
I also have lived this no start problem with my Cheetah 27 hp Kawasaki. When cold or warm, all was well. However when hot, the starter may not crank. My mower has about 150 hours.

I finally decided my issue must be electric module related. While installing the new module, I discovered the module wiring plug had a bad damaged connection. I fixed the factory defect connection and left old module on the mower. All has been fine the past several uses.

Be advised my Cheetah has 12 volts to the OSHA switches. I used a wooden shim to trick seat switch so I could raise the seat and the key switch still work. That was easier than a jumper wire.
 

soapii

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
Yes you have an electrical problem.
When it does this next time, pull the dip stick and check the oil level.
If the oil level is low the mower will not crank ( safety feature ) so if the level is marginal, oil gets flung all around the engine so the oil level drops just enough to trigger the switch till it has all drained back again.
Multi grades that are old can also exhibit this as when the oil thins it does not float the valve in the switch.
Then the switch itself could be bad.

Good idea, I thought the same thing and checked right then but knew I was not getting a 100% accurate reading because it would have oil pumped up in engine.

I'll check tonight when I get home.

--Joe
 

soapii

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  • / Need help - Scag Tiger Cat II won't start after running
Pto switch is prob the cause on your issue. Do u have a test light? Buy the way does yours have the tiger eye?

Ya know, this could very well be it. Yes I have Tiger Eye and noticed the PTO switch was not illuminated while it was off........which when the light is off means the deck is engaged. Well obviously it was not engaged because it was not running and the button was down.

However yesterday after I got home from work when I got on and turned the key the PTO light was illuminated and it fired right up.

I think you are onto something here. Yes I do have a test light. I'll check the wiring diagram in the manual and try to test the switch tonight.

--Joe
 
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