Hi, I inherited with our house a Toro 16-38hxl about five years ago. It's probably about 12 years old now.
I've always had starting problems and put it down to an old battery, so for the last couple of summers kept the battery on charge and then most often jump started.
I bought a new battery this year and at first it was fine, but then after a couple of weeks of non-use (raining) I came to use it this weekend and battery is flat, and won't take a charge while connected to mower. It jumps ok from a known good battery.
So, a few circuit checks and I discover that the main + lead is earthing/grounding when I put my multimeter across it (with ignition switched off). A bit of trial and error and I narrow the problem to Fuse 1 which has a red feed and a purple load, which my wiring diagram tells me is my alternator. If I test the purple it shows continuity to earth/ground.
Question is, would a short circuit on this wire cause battery drain? Assuming it is a failed alternator, would this be shown by such a short circuit? And if it is a failed alternator (a) where is it? and (b) how easy is it to replace?
Thank you.
I've always had starting problems and put it down to an old battery, so for the last couple of summers kept the battery on charge and then most often jump started.
I bought a new battery this year and at first it was fine, but then after a couple of weeks of non-use (raining) I came to use it this weekend and battery is flat, and won't take a charge while connected to mower. It jumps ok from a known good battery.
So, a few circuit checks and I discover that the main + lead is earthing/grounding when I put my multimeter across it (with ignition switched off). A bit of trial and error and I narrow the problem to Fuse 1 which has a red feed and a purple load, which my wiring diagram tells me is my alternator. If I test the purple it shows continuity to earth/ground.
Question is, would a short circuit on this wire cause battery drain? Assuming it is a failed alternator, would this be shown by such a short circuit? And if it is a failed alternator (a) where is it? and (b) how easy is it to replace?
Thank you.
