4110 Shut Off and Now Won't Start

DrRod · Aug 25, 2015

Greetings,

Was out moving some downed limbs with my 4110, all working fine. Got off to dislodge a tangle and thought I was in neutral but maybe not since it shut off. Climbed back up but it won't crank. Gauges and lights are all fine so shouldn't be electrical. I've moved the gear shift repeatedly to ensure I am in neutral, and have bounced the seat to be sure it knows I'm sitting there. What could I be missing? Reminds me of the time I couldn't start my ATV only to discover it had a kill switch -- who knew.

Appreciate your suggestions.

RalphVa · Aug 25, 2015

Does it crank?

If it does, make sure you didn't kick the fuel shutoff switch with your right foot.

Ralph

DrRod · Aug 25, 2015

No, it doesn't crank. But that's just the sort of thing I would suspect. A local guy [who is very handy with tools and machines] came by after dinner and he thought it was some sort of safety switch that just wasn't letting us start it. We checked the fuses, all the safety shutoff stuff, and even looked through the manual. He hot wired it at the starter so that we could move it back into the garage to avoid theft [I need to be away for a couple of days]. He didn't want to do too much with it because he thought it might be related to a computer and didn't want to fry it [ a good plan]. But I still can't help but think it is just something simple that needs a good swat.

Thank you for your thoughts.

UnclePaul · Aug 26, 2015

Just a thought but try turning on the pto switch and then turn it off. Maybe the contacts are sticking a little.

RalphVa · Aug 26, 2015

When the drive donut went out on my 4010, I was at the dealership after they took it apart. They'd removed the shroud that covers the area in front of your feet, below the ignition switch. There looked like some electrical stuff there that had gotten caked in dirt.

Wouldn't hurt to remove the shroud and blow all the crud away. Same for just behind the instrument panel at the back end of the hood.

I need to figure out how to remove that shroud on my 2025R. It's pretty much the same thing.

Ralph

DrRod · Aug 26, 2015

I'll check that. I've found increasing amount of caked stuff tucked into nooks and crannies by mice and that could be a problem.

I went out this morning to try it before calling the dealer for service and -- ta da -- it started. Then I shut it off and it wouldn't crank. grrrr
So I think its time to enlist professional help.

DrRod · Aug 26, 2015

Talked to the service manager at the dealership and he said it sounds like the battery. He said if it started this morning then that's a sign that it stored enough juice to turn it over. I would have thought that if the battery was weak it would crank but weakly but he said if its not strong enough to start it then it won't crank at all. Can't get into testing this theory today but will by first of the week.

beenthere · Aug 26, 2015

Sounds like it could be the battery. What is the age of the battery?

But also still suspect a loose wire or connection....

DrRod · Aug 28, 2015

Its two or three years old. The original lasted about seven years so I was sort of surprised that he targeted the battery. But batteries are fickle -- some last forever while others have a short life. In any case, I'm anxious to get back there and give the charger a try. And I'll be happy if its just that simple.

DrRod · Sep 2, 2015

And now for the follow-up.

Again, it started this morning so moved it down to the house and hooked up the battery charger. After several hours, the little green light on the charger indicated a full charge. But it wouldn't start. So I wiggled the shift lever a good bit and eventually it started.

Took it back to the garage and -- after shutting down -- it would not start again. Kept turning the key while wiggling the shift lever with no cranking but one time it made a very quick click, as if I hit the right spot.

My helpful mechanic neighbor suggested that it might be a corroded or just plain bad safety switch, which might be evident from visual inspection. I've poked around but have yet to find it.

So what do we think now? Does any of this make sense?

Thanks for your thoughts.