C160 won’t start

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

Every so often the C160 won’t turn over, and I discovered soon after buying it that this could be rectified by wiggling the wires on the pedal safety switch.  Not this time!  Took it apart, cleaned it, tightened it up nice, and no go.  Placed both wires on the same post to bypass a possibly bad switch.  No go.  Hot wired directly to starter, it cranked and fired but would not run.  Any ideas on what should I check next?  I read about hot wiring to the solenoid as a check on a related topic, but would need better direction on that one.  I’m hoping there’s an easy check on the solenoid or something before I go looking for a loose ground, or, ???  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

[rmaynard 15,511]

Two safety switches are involved. One on clutch pedal, one on the PTO. Check both.  On some years there may be one on the seat.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,046]

To see a wiring diagram click on the picture in the link.

 

[953 nut 55,300]

1 hour ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

I’m hoping there’s an easy check

You will be well served to take the time and do the job right the first time. If you got lucky and found a problem that allowed the engine to start without attending to other problems they will stop you at the worst possible time. Clean inspect and tighten all connections including grounds and have your battery load tested. Any one inferior connection can and will leave you at a standstill. Fuse holders and amp meter connections are a likely first check.

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.

[squonk 41,150]

Ammeter connections or bad meter itself. It will kill power to the switch.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

If you got lucky and found a problem that allowed the engine to start without attending to other problems they will stop you at the worst possible time.

@953 nutthat’s sage advice.  Thanks for the comprehensive walk through.  FYI, this machine’s an automatic.  I had to roll it out of the way and was pleased to learn the PB Blaster I sprayed on weeks ago trying to loosen that valve had finally done its job and I cracked the valve with the looong screwdriver; one hand to apply axial pressure and the other to twist the vise grips clamped on the shank.  It’s hard to get purchase on that screw!  It was a huge relief feeling that break free and open.

 

1 hour ago, rmaynard said:

Two safety switches are involved. One on clutch pedal, one on the PTO. Check both.  On some years there may be one on the seat.

PTO only.  Was disengaged.

Thanks to all!  Electrical ain’t my thing so wish me luck.

11 minutes ago, squonk said:

Ammeter connections or bad meter itself. It will kill power to the switch

No ammeter.  Hearing @ebinmaine’s thoughts on those, I don’t think I’d want one, either.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

On 12/20/2021 at 8:38 PM, squonk said:

 

Ammeter connections or bad meter itself. It will kill power to the switch.

 

Well, I had to go and check that thing.  I’m sure @squonkyou’ll not be surprised to hear that I’ve obviously not paid too much attention to that AMP measuring guage!  Is there a head banging emoji thing somewhere here?

[rjg854 11,378]

. Here you go @EB-80/8inPA

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

1 hour ago, rjg854 said:

. Here you go @EB-80/8inPA

Thanks, I needed that.

[EB-80/8inPA 1,655]

On 12/20/2021 at 8:38 PM, squonk said:

Ammeter connections or bad meter itself. It will kill power to the switch.

@squonk:  

Care to take a wild guess where I found a separated spade connection?  Fixing that in ten seconds and firing up the tractor was a huge relief.  I owe you one.

@953 nut:

I definitely plan to follow up on your fine advice as soon as time and temperature permit.

 

Merry Christmas!

[squonk 41,150]

38 minutes ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

@squonk:  

Care to take a wild guess where I found a separated spade connection?  Fixing that in ten seconds and firing up the tractor was a huge relief.  I owe you one.

 

I'll mark it on my score card!