Cub Cadet HDS 2155 Won't Crank

[MTJ8617]

I have a cub cadet hds 2155. Model 13a-244g100 s/n 379973. The engine will not crank consistently. I hear it click, but will not crank. Sometimes it will crank and starts fine, but most of the time it will just click. It sounds like the starter is stuck.

I have replaced the battery and battery cables.

 

[Fish]

Hard to say, but follow the red cable from the battery to the solenoid, make sure all of your connections are tight, as well as on the battery and where it bolts to the frame.

 

[MTJ8617]

Thanks for the suggestion.

The red wire is tight, because I tightened it when I replaced the red wire from the battery. I read on another site that said to remove the solenoid to ensure it is not corroded between it and the mounting block.

What would happen if the starter or solenoid were bad? Would I still get the clicking noise?

I also read where there is a junction box for the lights that may cause something similar. I may try by-passing the junction box and see if that takes care of it, because the lights were missing when I got the mower anyhow.

I have also disconnected the seat kill switch, so I know it is not the problem. Unless there is someway the switch is closing on its own without one of the wires attached...which I doubt. I also think that if a kill switch was bad, then I would not get the clicking.

 

[Fish]

First, find out what is clicking. Just touch the solenoid while turning the key to see if that is the source of the "click"...

 

[Fish]

Is this just one click when you turn the key, or several clicks??????

 

[MTJ8617]

Just one click.

 

[MTJ8617]

I just read the following about solenoids on another site, so my guess is that the solenoid is bad.

Bad solenoids usually fail to do one of two things. They either click but don't complete the circuit (burnt contacts) or nothing happens (open circuit).

 

[Fish]

I just read the following about solenoids on another site, so my guess is that the solenoid is bad.

Bad solenoids usually fail to do one of two things. They either click but don't complete the circuit (burnt contacts) or nothing happens (open circuit).

Yeah, that is why I was curious about the location of the "click".

If that is not the source of the click, then who could say? Electrical problems can be nightmares, so you don't want to just replacing things.

 

[Mikel1]

If your absolutely sure that all connections are clean and tight. Then arc the solenoid but USE EXTREME CAUTION- SPARKS & GAS= FIRE. If nothing happens then battery undercharged or starter is bad.

 

[MTJ8617]

I replaced the solenoid and finally got the engine to crank, but that click was still there. I had to turn the key a few times to get it to crank, but it won't start. Doesn't seem to be getting any spark. I checked the spark plug and various connections, and all look good.

Could it be the starter with the clicking noise and the coil for the no spark issue? Or should I continue to look for wire issues?