L130 - Sudden no crank, no headlights

S

Spectre332

Forum Newbie
Mower started and ran fine last week. 2 days ago I tried starting it again and absolutely nothing. No crank.. not even a click.. and no headlights. Checked battery voltage and it was 12.4V. Fuse checked good. Replaced ignition switch but no dice. Used a screwdriver on the two posts on the solenoid with the ignition in the run position and it sparked like crazy so it’s definitely getting juice.

I can’t figure out how the solenoid is getting juice but won’t crank… and how no headlights ties into all of it.

Ideas? Trying not to throw a bunch of money at parts that aren’t bad…
 
I'd start by finding a schematic for the wiring and posting it here. Anyone who doesn't have one on hand won't be able to assist you much. And even most of those with one won't help you without a model number of the mower, and serial number of the mower. Maybe even year too.
 
First you going to need a cheap VOM to start testing. A screw driver is not going to cut it.

And as for the starter solenoid sparking across the two large terminals that is a separate non fused 100+ amp circuit. That solenoid (relay) is a four post version with voltage provide through the ignition switch, PTO switch (which must in the off position) and brake switch (brake pedal must be depressed). But with no lights in position one of the ignition switch (lights don't in position 2 or the starting position) it kinda pointing to a grounding issue.
 
StarTech said:
First you going to need a cheap VOM to start testing. A screw driver is not going to cut it.

And as for the starter solenoid sparking across the two large terminals that is a separate non fused 100+ amp circuit. That solenoid (relay) is a four post version with voltage provide through the ignition switch, PTO switch (which must in the off position) and brake switch (brake pedal must be depressed). But with no lights in position one of the ignition switch (lights don't in position 2 or the starting position) it kinda pointing to a grounding issue.
Click to expand...

interesting. I guess I can check all ground leads and see if anything is loose, corroded, broken. If it just wouldn’t crank, that’d be one thing.. but the headlights not coming on is what is throwing a real wrench in troubleshooting the underlying issue, for sure.
 
turn the headlights on, use a VOM to see if you have voltage at the headlights. One side to battery negative terminal and one to the lights. If yes then you have a bad ground. If no then you have a problem feeding the ignition switch or light switch.
 
Pull the spark plugs out. Now try electric starting mode. Let's see if she is hydro locked up.

12.4V at rest means the battery could use a charge. Need to run the engine at full revs, all the time. More reasons than this to do it. I would keep her on a Battery Tender.
 
sgkent said:
turn the headlights on, use a VOM to see if you have voltage at the headlights. One side to battery negative terminal and one to the lights. If yes then you have a bad ground. If no then you have a problem feeding the ignition switch or light switch.
Click to expand...
I'll give this a try. Hopefully doing so will at least narrow down the problem.
 
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