C175 Not Turning Over

[Thisguy68 2]

Hey all. 👋🏻

I have a C175 Wheel Horse tractor. I use it to plow and as a back up mower. I had some trouble with the starter solenoid and it would just click. I could feel the click when touching the unit. I installed a new one, but now it won't even click. I checked  the PTO several times to make sure it wasn't engaged. I checked to make sure it's getting 12V from the battery and that checked out. Also verified there is power at the starter. Could it be a faulty new solenoid? Or wiring issue? I included some pics. I would think a faulty starter would at least show some sign of life and not go the same time as the solenoid. Happy for any help/suggestions. Thank you.

 

[Thisguy68 2]

Also, I forgot to m mention because I don't think it's related- I replaced the points and condenser at the same time. I will update with a picture of that wiring when I get home. 

[953 nut 55,212]

Please, from now on fix one problem before you introduce more problems to the equation. Your wiring has been spliced and cobbled up so the pictures are not much help.

Why won’t my starter turn over from the key switch?

Lets take a logical step by step inspection of your starter problem.

Is your PTO in the ON position, a wheel horse will not start with the PTO on.

Have you had the battery load tested at an auto parts store?

Have you cleaned and tightened all electrical connections including grounds?

Are all fuses good and fuse holders cleaned?

If these have all been done, we can check components of the starting system as follows; don’t skip a step or you may miss the problem.

Be sure the transmission is in neutral and the parking brake is set.

Take a pair of automotive jumper cables and connect the black cable to your battery  "-" and a good clean spot on the engine. Now connect the other cable to the large post on the starter and touch the other end to the battery "+" terminal, does the starter turn over? If the starter turns over the battery and starter are good. If it didn't turn over try the same steps with the battery in your car/truck, if that cures the problem then the "good" battery wasn't so good.

Presuming the starter turned over move the jumper wire from the starter post to the other end of the wire going to the starter which is one of the large posts on the solenoid. If the starter turns over when the battery is touched by the jumper as before then that cable is good, if not you have found your problem.

Presuming the starter turned over move that jumper to the other terminal of the solenoid, connect the other end to the battery and use a small piece of wire to temporarily connect the battery "+" terminal to the small terminal on the solenoid, this should cause the solenoid to close and the starter to turn over. If not, the solenoid is probably the problem.

If this was successful remove the large jumper cable and use the small jumper wire to the small terminal of the solenoid, the solenoid should close and the starter turn over. If not the cable to the battery is the problem.

Presuming all of these have been successful remove the black jumper wire and repeat the small jumper to small terminal, if the starter turns over the ground is good.

If all of these components test good then remove your ignition switch, be sure the transmission is in neutral, parking brake on, clutch depressed and PTO off. Use a small jumper to connect the terminals that were connected to the “B” and “S” terminals of the ignition switch. If the starter turns over then the PTO switch and other safety switches are operating properly and your ignition switch may be bad.

[midpack 864]

Will it run without the solenoid bolted in (grounded)

I have a 417-8 the PO couldn't get running, blowing fuses and the problem was he changed the solenoid but didn't tighten it to the hood stand. It was loosely attached.

Snugged it up and it runs great

BTW, if the old solenoid "clicks" it's not likely the problem