Can a failing Fuel Solenoid cause a BX1850D to shut down and then not crank again?

timm9 · Sep 24, 2024

Just spent big dollars to get the new to me BX1850D functional (new Hydraulic Pump, new Front Axle, etc.) and now experiencing another issue. It runs well but will 'out of the blue' shut down and refuse to crank again? No Solenoid noise, no clicking, and the Battery is brand new, and I moved the seat around hoping it was the safety switch, but it did not seem to be the issue. From reading the Forum it appears there are additional safety switches but I'm uncertain where to find them. I posed the questions above because when we first started the unit it would not shut off and I ended up pushing the Rod in on the Fuel Solenoid to shut it off. I did find and replace a failed Fuse for the Fuel Solenoid but now wondering if that is now an issue as opposed to the additional safety switches. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Roadworthy · Sep 25, 2024

Clarification is in order. What does "refuse to crank again" mean? Does that mean the engine will not turn over or does it turn over and not start. These are two different things. If it won't turn over at all that is very likely a safety switch that's not being satisfied. If it turns over but won't start that is possibly lack of fuel though lack of air due to a clogged filter or blocked air passage can cause this as well.

dodge man · Sep 25, 2024

You should be able to look at the fuel shutoff solenoid and see if it’s retracted or not.

timm9 · Sep 25, 2024

Thank you for your Responses! I apologize for any confusion. When I say it will not crank, I'm saying that when I turn the Key, I get nothing as if it had no power to the Starter. I will start looking for safety switches. Thank you again!

dodge man · Sep 25, 2024

It won’t let you start it if the forward reverse pedal are moved or it thinks they are pushed to move. I can’t remember if it will let you start it in gear or not. For sure it won’t if the pto is turned on. I’d check your battery to, maybe it’s not charging.

TGD · Sep 26, 2024

Fuel shutoff solenoid closes the rack on shutdown and holds it closed for a period of time until the shutdown timer times out after the engine stops. The shutoff solenoid is not energized while the engine is running. If the solenoid wire breaks (they can do that from engine vibration) the engine will not shut down and you will have to carefully reach in under the hood and close the fuel rack by hand. The shutoff solenoid will not prevent the starter from operating.

Things that will prevent starting.
I had the start solenoid wire where it attaches to the starter corrode and rot off but the wire insulation may still be intact so verify the wire is not broken.. A new crimp-on terminal fixed it. Other issues are the safety switches. These switches are in series to make a complete circuit when they are all in the correct position. The neutral switch is on the speed select lever, the seat switch is on the left front side of the seat and can get out of adjustment. The pto lever has one to make sure the pto is not engaged. If any of these switches are not in the closed position when they should be, the start circuit will not be complete to the starter. The seat also has a second switch on the same bracket that only makes when the seat is raised with the rear pto (only) engaged the engine will keep running.

I have had issues in the winter with the speed selector safety switch not working properly and had to be thawed out to work. In the summer I sometimes have to jiggle the pto lever so the pto switch makes contact. The seat switch always gives me issues as it is a bad design in how it is mounted.