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Smokey

C121 electrical goblins, No fire.

By Smokey, in Wheel Horse Electrical

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Smokey    30

Smokey
Posted

Recently my C121 decided it didn't want to start and I've been trying to figure out the reason (s). When I turn the key I get nothing, No click, No sound at all.

 

 The old solenoid had been broken at the mounting plate and was brazed back together long ago and it was cracking at the brazed area.  I assumed (yeah, I know) that the solenoid was the problem and took the old one to the parts store and got a replacement and it worked for a few days. Now I'm back to no click, No lights, Nothing.

 

To make things just a little more peachy, My multi-meter bit the dust as soon as I started trying to track down the problem. :no:  Ordered another one but in the meantime looking for a clue.

 

 So, What I know so far is this-

New battery, Fully charged. Terminals clean, Ground points on tractor cleaned. Replaced crusty negative battery cable.

 

If I run a jumper wire from the positive battery post to the positive side bolt on the solenoid, I get nothing.

 

If I run that jumper wire to the outgoing (to starter) bolt on the solenoid the starter spins but the tractor doesn't start. Lights do not come on.

 

If I run the jumper wire from positive battery post to the + post on the coil the lights come on with the key turned to the first position but go out when I turn it all the way to the start position.

 

I am not a mechanic or electrician by any stretch of the imagination but I'd like to see if any of you wheelhorse doctors have any advice on what might possibly be the problem?  Ignition switch?  Bum Chinese made solenoid?  Any help is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

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N3PUY    1,031

N3PUY
Posted

No power to the switch.

sounds like you didn't connect the red wire that goes from the battery to the "B" terminal on the switch.

It could also have been connected to the + side of the solenoid.

 

 

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Smokey    30

Smokey
Posted
8 minutes ago, N3PUY said:

No power to the switch.

sounds like you didn't connect the red wire that goes from the battery to the "B" terminal on the switch.

It could also have been connected to the + side of the solenoid.

 

Quote

 

 

Thank you. By switch, Are you referring to the starter switch or solenoid?

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N3PUY    1,031

N3PUY
Posted

The ignition switch.    See if you have 12 volts at the "B" terminal all the time.

 

Oh... it worked for a few days ..... then it's a poor connection at either end of the wire that goes to the switch from the battery.

 

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Smokey    30

Smokey
Posted

OK. Thanks for explaining.  I looked at the plastic wiring block that all the wires plug into and that then plugs onto the ignition switch and it looks to be pretty well crusty inside.  When the multimeter gets here I'll check there and find out where the bad connection is.

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rmaynard    15,580

rmaynard
Posted

I will chant my same old mantra... check all of your grounds, especially the cable going from the engine cradle to the frame.

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squonk    41,287

squonk
Posted

If it's crusty inside the switch connection, you don't need a meter to find the bad connection. You already found it. Replace the plug and switch.

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