Bahmi 5 #1 Posted May 29 My 312-8 worked great last fall, won't start this spring. Pushed the starter button and got a lot of heating in the wires supplying the push button. I changed the wires, added a new push button. To no avail. I put a new battery on it, starter barely kicks over at very low rpm. Nothing happening, where do I go next? Can't figure out why it won't start. Ideas? Bahmi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,387 #2 Posted May 29 OK - for what it's worth - Was the tractor stored inside during the winter??? Makes a difference............ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,322 #3 Posted May 29 Take apart all 4 of the battery cable ends and clean them, you may have a bad connection particularly on the positive cable. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWL216 889 #4 Posted May 29 Do the wires still get hot with the new switch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,023 #5 Posted May 29 Take some jumper cables, connect them to the battery and the other black end to ground near or on the starter. Make sure the tractor is in neutral and touch the remaining positive lead to the wire lug on the starter. It shouldn't fire off the engine with the key in the off position. If the starter spins as it should, problem is in tractor wiring If it doesn't, problem is with the starter This may help to eliminate guessing and provide a place to begin. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bahmi 5 #6 Posted May 29 1 hour ago, ri702bill said: OK - for what it's worth - Was the tractor stored inside during the winter??? Makes a difference............ Tractor stored in unheated garage. Mild winter for Connecticut. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,787 #7 Posted May 29 1 hour ago, Bahmi said: . Pushed the starter button These tractors original came with a key switch and you turned the key to start the tractor. Any type of push button was added and would match factory wiring so its hard for us to recommend things not knowing how its currently wired. Post some pictures of the old key switch if it still has it. Also pictures of the starter button, and wiring if possible. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bahmi 5 #8 Posted May 30 12 hours ago, PWL216 said: Do the wires still get hot with the new switch? No. Still, the starter barely rotates. Just get a clicking sound but does not engage and turn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,655 #9 Posted May 30 @Bahmi would bet is a collective electrical issue , corrosive fuses , frayed cracked wires , wiring ground areas are usually solid with corrosion / rust . would personally , move battery cable connections , check fuse areas , have battery tenders on my horses , easy plug in . back of dash area is a moisture / corrosion gold mine / also safety switches , would move connections , like a dielectric spray as I go , recheck after every movement spot , state of battery ? multiple wire plug in ports ,regularly cracked / chafed , look for electrical cracking powdery , tracking , recheck key response as you go . battery charger ? sounds familiar , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites