Lazer Z won't crank at all 27 hp kohler

[rpeter46]

I recently inherited my dads 2005 Lazer Z with the 27hp Kohler(and his 7 acres of lawn). The other day when I went out to mow, I had the deck down in the grass(with bagger on), and when I engaged the PTO, it was too much drag, and stalled the motor. Upon trying to restart, all I get is a single click out of it. I tried charging the battery, pulled and tested the starter(checks out OK), checked out the fuses, and tested the neutral switches, parking brake switch, seat switch, and PTO switch(I THINK it's good) and finally installed a brand new battery(I replaced the original battery). I'm about to put some new relays in it unless someone else can suggest a better course of action.
Any suggestions??? I'm feeling pretty clueless here, and am hoping for a common issue to be identified. Thank you:smile:

 

[BobP]

Any luck with your mower starting. I just had the same problem. Thanks. Bob

 

[Rivets]

I know you are talking about a Z, but this troubleshoot guide might help.



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.

 

[BobP]

Just following up, I hit the problem at the fifth step, no juice to the starter solenoid with the key turned to the start position. I took out the starter switch, tested it. It failed, cut it open just for fun and it was all corroded with loose terminals and black tar like coating. Replaced the switch and mower started as normal. Thanks for all the help. Bob

 

[rpeter46]

Just got back from mowing. Alright, I went through all those steps. I also had no juice at the starter solenoid.

check fuses, battery connections - good. Battery-just bought new one.

12.7v at large terminal post on starter - check - inline fuse intact

third - Zero corrosion on starter, terminals, etc.(also previously bench tested starter autozone). here's where things get hinky. check the small terminal post on starter- solenoid. No juice at turned key. As I'm fooling around, why does this small terminal show ground continuity when the pink/black start wire is disconnected??? Anyways, I began checking the safeties and installing jumpers.

fourth-forgot all about this. Got distracted chasing safety switches

fifth - again, major case of ADD. Forgot to check

sixth - ground circuit intact everywhere I check


I immediately began troubleshooting all the switches. However, after working through all the safeties, and ensuring power at the keyswitch, then power leaving the keyswitch, and power at the yellow switch at the base of the start relay! Where was I losing power?!? I went to autozone and bought new equivalent relays, but STILL no juice at the starter solenoid! I then proceeded to check the pink/black wire that supplies power to the relay for continuity-it's good. I pulled the pink/black from the start solenoid, and then checked for continuity to ground-YES, there is continuity to ground-is that normal?!?!?
The worst part is, I put it all back together, returned original relays to the circuit, and decided to try to jump start the tractor with a screwdriver(which was unsuccessful previously). Success! I know that this thread is darn near useless in the diagnosing aspect for people learning, BUT, I'm pretty sure that the whole exercise may have contributed to better contact in all the switches, and this alone may have solved this riddle. I may also have an intermittent issue with a keyswitch or something. However, I believe that a sincere prayer for help probably had an awful lot to do with this riddle(I work like it all depends on me, but pray like it all depends on Him!:biggrin

Rivets- big thanks for the sanity checklist-was a great jumping off place to work from, and a great sanity check for me. Thank you!

BobP- gonna keep that switch in mind. Mine seemed pretty clean on the OUTSIDE-wonder what it looks like inside there???

Thanks all!

Paul