ZRT 50 won't start (after running well, then sputtering, and died ...with oil light on)

[jpilk99]

Hi all,

This machine was running well, then started sputtering and died. Now I can't restart it - there's absolutely no activity/sound from the starter or anything. Lights come on when I turn the key, (dashboard shows voltage, hours, etc.). Oil light is on. I checked oil and it was low, so I brought it up to Full. Just don't know what happened.

Maybe low oil pressure switch or one of the other safety switches? Just weird that this happened while the machine was running fine - didn't hit anything... Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Jay

 

[ruffdog]

Can you manually turn the engine over?

 

[Carl_NH]

Is this your machine and engine? Check the fuses first, then check the safety switches - seat, brake, PTO etc. Sputtering is usually fuel-related, check your carb if if has a solenoid - it should activate or click when you turn on the key.

Model Cub Cadet RZT 50
Engine model Briggs & Stratton 407577
Engine type Four-stroke, air-cooled, V-twin
Cylinders 2 - 22.0 HP

 

[jpilk99]

Can you manually turn the engine over?

I'm about to check - muddy as all get out and need to reach under to the crank pulley... This Kohler engine has a cover over the "plate" that spins with engine rotation on top. I'll report back. Thank you.

 

[jpilk99]

Is this your machine and engine? Check the fuses first, then check the safety switches - seat, brake, PTO etc. Sputtering is usually fuel-related, check your carb if if has a solenoid - it should activate or click when you turn on the key.

Model Cub Cadet RZT 50
Engine model Briggs & Stratton 407577
Engine type Four-stroke, air-cooled, V-twin
Cylinders 2 - 22.0 HP

Great questions. Fuse was/is fine. I haven't checked all switches but did disconnect seat switch with no change. Didn't hear the carb solenoid when I turned the key but where its at the bottom of the engine behind me, ... I may need a helper. Then I'll check other switches and then move to carb. Thank you.

 

[Carl_NH]

The total hours, and the exact model of machine and engine label would help here, and on the carb solenoid, the click is noticeable on the first click of the switch. If you don't hear a click, check and see if you have the carb solenoid, if you do, then it points to electrical.

 

[jpilk99]

The total hours, and the exact model of machine and engine label would help here, and on the carb solenoid, the click is noticeable on the first click of the switch. If you don't hear a click, check and see if you have the carb solenoid, if you do, then it points to electrical.

Not sure this is the 'right' Cub machine tag, (engine one is). If not the correct Cub tag - where is it located?

 

[RandyT]

Not sure this is the 'right' Cub machine tag, (engine one is). If not the correct Cub tag - where is it located?

Should be under the seat starting with either 17 or 53.

 

[jpilk99]

The total hours, and the exact model of machine and engine label would help here, and on the carb solenoid, the click is noticeable on the first click of the switch. If you don't hear a click, check and see if you have the carb solenoid, if you do, then it points to electrical.

Thanks again, Carl_NH (and all). Quick question though, re the carb solenoid: If the solenoid was bad, wouldn't the engine still crank and try and start? It just wouldn't run because it's not getting fuel up into venturi... Right?

 

[RandyT]

Thanks again, Carl_NH (and all). Quick question though, re the carb solenoid: If the solenoid was bad, wouldn't the engine still crank and try and start? It just wouldn't run because it's not getting fuel up into venturi... Right?

Correct. Should still crank but not start. Just wondering if the pto was engaged at the time it died. And has been overlooked while trying to restart.

 

[jpilk99]

Correct. Should still crank but not start. Just wondering if the pto was engaged at the time it died. And has been overlooked while trying to restart.

PTO was not engaged; (good thought though). And with that, I did pull the PTO knob - heard that solenoid snap/click - so I know it's functioning. But still ZERO sound/activity when I try to start. No bound up starter or anything. I gotta try turning the crank/pulley underneath and confirm if engine is seized, but, having worked on many machines before, I don't think that's the issue. I'd hear the starter Try and move the flywheel but that aint happening. Feels like a switch gave up the ghost, just gotta figure which one. And strange that it was running just fine and then peter'ed out and quit and now, bupkiss.

 

[RandyT]

PTO was not engaged; (good thought though). And with that, I did pull the PTO knob - heard that solenoid snap/click - so I know it's functioning. But still ZERO sound/activity when I try to start. No bound up starter or anything. I gotta try turning the crank/pulley underneath and confirm if engine is seized, but, having worked on many machines before, I don't think that's the issue. I'd hear the starter Try and move the flywheel but that aint happening. Feels like a switch gave up the ghost, just gotta figure which one. And strange that it was running just fine and then peter'ed out and quit and now, bupkiss.

Even with a seized engine you should still hear the starter solenoid try to engage the starter. So that leaves the brake switch and the neutral switches on the levers. Or could also be a relay issue associated with those components. and unfortunately MTD is not well known for having wiring diagrams for their mowers.

 

[jpilk99]

Even with a seized engine you should still hear the starter solenoid try to engage the starter. So that leaves the brake switch and the neutral switches on the levers. Or could also be a relay issue associated with those components. and unfortunately MTD is not well known for having wiring diagrams for their mowers.

Thank you, RandyT. Yea, my gut sank a little when I noticed the "MTD" in the model number tag.... But I can ohm out the switches, one by one, until I find the culprit - or move onto other suspects like bad ground. Again, (last time I'll say it), weird that it was running fine and then died. But, if a switch crapped out ...it crapped out.

 

[thclimer]

Any signs of mice chewing on wires?

 

[RandyT]

@jpilk99 The MTD is nothing new with Cub Cadet since they have owned them since 1981, Which is now owned by Stanley Black and Decker

 

[jpilk99]

Any signs of mice chewing on wires?

Not that I see, but am always on the lookout. Thank you

 

[jpilk99]

@jpilk99 The MTD is nothing new with Cub Cadet since they have owned them since 1981, Which is now owned by Stanley Black and Decker

Ahhh. I just know when I look at machines that people get at Lowes or Home Depot, that are painted green & yellow and say John Deere, or orange and gray and say Husqvarna, but at the end of the day ...theyre MTD...

 

[dodge man]

Any chance it’s the battery? Did you load test the battery?

 

[Richard001]

Having some trouble looking up a Cub Cadet ZRT model.

Are you sure that this is not a RZT ?

Richard

 

[Carl_NH]

Richard - its the RZT 50 with the Kohler KH720 Vertical Twin Engine per the previous post. Per the tag the engine was built in 2012.

It sputtered and died which to me points to fuel..