C175 Won't Turn 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.

 

 

Also I forgot to mention I replaced the points and condenser at the same time. I attached the wire from the coil and condenser to the points, maybe that's wrong? I will update with a picture when I get home.

 

 

 

Edited October 18 by Thisguy68

[953 nut 55,389]

The solenoid body needs to be grounded.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,469]

12 hours ago, 953 nut said:

The solenoid body needs to be grounded.

[Thisguy68 2]

I grounded the solenoid to the body and was hoping that's all it was. The solenoid DID start clicking again, but the starter is still not engaging or spinning. 

     Then, I tried to jumpstart it because the battery had been sitting and only measured at 12.2V. Unfortunately, that just made the starter smoke. I found a diagram here, but the wiring looks correct to me. Thanks for the help and responses

21 hours ago, 953 nut said:

The solenoid body needs to be grounded.

 

8 hours ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

 

Edited October 18 by Thisguy68
Add pictures.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,469]

Is there a possibility that the starter is jammed?

[Thisguy68 2]

48 minutes ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

Is there a possibility that the starter is jammed?

 

It could be, anything is possible. I can manually spin the spring loaded gear to engage the flywheel but the starter shaft won't spin and just smokes. I'm guessing I should remove the starter. Should I be able to turn the shaft by hand? Do I need to remove the engine? I've read a couple different threads, but they weren't specific for this model. Looks like it's just two retaining nuts and the wire on the back. Thank you for the replies.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,469]

I would take the starter off and hook up 12 volts to it and see what it does. If it spins and engages then the starter is good if not I would get a new starter. Also see if you can spin the engine over by hand. It it doesn’t budge then you have a bigger problem.

[Thisguy68 2]

Just hook the positive battery terminal to the starter post? Do I need to ground the body? I'd probably use a set of jumper cables and car battery so I just want to make sure. Gonna see if I can get it out tonight if I have enough daylight or tomorrow afternoon. Thanks again.

[Thisguy68 2]

Update: I pulled the starter and figured I'd open it up since I'll likely replace it anyway. Smells burnt and looks awful. I'm an amateur as far as electronics but I don't think the copper from the windings is supposed to embed in the arbitrage.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,469]

1 hour ago, Thisguy68 said:

Update: I pulled the starter and figured I'd open it up since I'll likely replace it anyway. Smells burnt and looks awful. I'm an amateur as far as electronics but I don't think the copper from the windings is supposed to embed in the arbitrage.

Since it does look like that I would get a new one. I don’t think it’s supposed to look like that.

[Thisguy68 2]

I was able to take the starter off my parts tractor (another C-175) and cleaned it up. It spun freely and I installed it. The starter engages and the engine started when priming the carb. Tractor dies when fuel in the carb burns off. I am not getting fuel flow so I'm looking at replacing the fuel pump and considering upgrading to an electrical setup. Oddly, the starter won't disengage sometimes, even when I turn the key off. Feel free to chime in on these new issues, I just wanted to update the post in case someone has a similar issue. Thanks again to the forum and it's members.

 

[midpack 866]

I have a C-175 that the fuel pump wasn't working. I think at the time I read something about the cam lobe that drives it wears(?)

Went with one of the $12 pumps at least 5 or 6 years ago. Still working great, it's my main mower

[Thisguy68 2]

I put everything back together today and the tractor would turn over, but not start. I checked the points timing again and made a main fuel adjustment on the carb. 

 

I turned the engine over with the points cover off to see of there was spark and it started right up. I reattached the cover and it won't start. I can only tighten the cover screws about halfway or it dies. I'm guessing the top screw (or the metal tab it attaches to) that holds the coil/condenser wires is somehow grounding out? I searched the forum, but haven't found anything besides point adjustment. Has anyone heard of thos issue?

Edited November 5 by Thisguy68
spelling

[953 nut 55,389]

8 hours ago, Thisguy68 said:

I'm guessing the top screw (or the metal tab it attaches to) that holds the coil/condenser wires is somehow grounding out?

Sounds like you have properly diagnosed the problem. Make up a new wire from the points to coil or find the frayed spot in the insulation and give it several wraps of electrical tape and you should be golden.

[Handy Don 12,277]

8 hours ago, Thisguy68 said:

Has anyone heard of thos issue?

New one for me!

@953 nut has you covered.