Cub Cadet 7195 Compact Tractor Won't Start

[kentmurphy]

I have a Cub Cadet 7195 with a Mitsubishi K3E engine that won't start. Here's what's going on ...

When I attempt to crank the engine, I hear a loud clack coming from the starter. The engine did turn over twice when attempting to start, but a majority of the time I heard only the loud clack. The starter was extremely hot as you can image.

I replaced the starter but the behavior did not change. I hear a loud clack and the engine doesn't turn over.

I've checked all cables and can't find any obvious problems.

Any ideas on what might be wrong would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[K5lwq]

Welcome to TBN!

I assume you have checked the battery. If not worth looking at.

A little background would help. Is this a new tractor to you? Has it been parked for a extended period of time? Any issues last time it was used?

 

[Roadworthy]

My guess is low voltage / current to the starter. I'd begin by getting the battery load tested - battery age is not relevant. Next clean the battery terminals and the connecting cable terminals thoroughly. Replace the cables onto the terminals and tighten securely. Follow the ground lead to the frame. Clean that connection, too - no paint to insulate it. Tighten securely. Now try the starter and let us know if it still won't work.

 

[denchen]

Have you a starter motor/electric issue, or is the engine tight for some reason. I would turn the engine over to make sure its free before going further.

 

[kentmurphy]

Welcome to TBN!

I assume you have checked the battery. If not worth looking at.

A little background would help. Is this a new tractor to you? Has it been parked for a extended period of time? Any issues last time it was used?

Thanks!

Ah forgot to mention I put in a new battery ... so all good there.

This is not a new tractor. The athletic association I'm a board member at has owned it for about 15 years. Really no problems until now. It was used right up until the time it stopped running which was approx. 2 months ago.

When I was told the tractor wasn't running, I took a look at it and discovered it had zero oil in the engine. I was told the oil was drained after the engine stopped running so the engine never ran without oil. Does make me a little suspicious though.

 

[kentmurphy]

My guess is low voltage / current to the starter. I'd begin by getting the battery load tested - battery age is not relevant. Next clean the battery terminals and the connecting cable terminals thoroughly. Replace the cables onto the terminals and tighten securely. Follow the ground lead to the frame. Clean that connection, too - no paint to insulate it. Tighten securely. Now try the starter and let us know if it still won't work.

I inspected the battery cables and found nothing unusual ... but I do agree a good cleaning and a closer inspection is warranted.

 

[kentmurphy]

Have you a starter motor/electric issue, or is the engine tight for some reason. I would turn the engine over to make sure its free before going further.

I agree. I need to try cranking the engine by hand.

 

[dodge man]

No oil in the engine? A little suspicious? I think I would be more than a little suspicious. I agree get a wrench on it to see if it is free. Worse case scenario is the engine is locked up, as in ruined from running with no oil.

 

[kentmurphy]

No oil in the engine? A little suspicious? I think I would be more than a little suspicious. I agree get a wrench on it to see if it is free. Worse case scenario is the engine is locked up, as in ruined from running with no oil.

Keep in mind I was able to turn the engine over a few times, but then it was back to the clacking sound. I guess a seized engine can turnover a few times and go back to being seized again.

 

[kentmurphy]

What would you guys do ... rebuild the engine or buy a new one? They make a rebuild kit for the K3E ... but I guess I need to teardown the engine first to determine what was damaged. Ug.

 

[denchen]

Before spending a lot of money, I would find out exactly what is or has gone on. Will the engine turn over, if not, why not. Has a valve dropped or are the big end shells all melted like ice cream in the sump. Has someone run the engine with no oil, but not under load. There might not be any crank damage, so you might get away with some new crank shells. Has water got in the cylinders and a bore has rusted or if the motor has been run under load with no oil, are the pistons and bores damaged. As I said above, first find out exactly if and why the engine will not turn over, and try to find out why. If someone has had it running with no oil, get the biggest boots you`ve got, and kick someone arse, it won`t help, but you`ll feel better.

 

[wupham]

If you can't find anything else wrong, you might try the following. I have a Cub Cadet 782D that would not reliably start for years. After this, no problem.

Fixing the Cub Cadet Starting Problem

Since last summer, when I tried to start the tractor, most times it would take up to 10 or so tries turning the ignition key on and off to finally start. With each try, I could hear the starter solenoid click. I cleaned the battery terminals, battery clamps, and ground connection to the frame. Problem not fixed. I then replaced the starter solenoid and that didn't fix the problem. Since I needed the tractor to start without fail for winter snow blowing, I had the Kubota dealer pick it up for repair. He replaced the starter switch and it started OK all winter. This spring, the problem started again. When I used jumper cables to start it, it would start OK. I assumed the 8 year old battery was bad so I replaced it. Problem not solved. I then temporarily installed new battery cables. Problem still not solved. Finally I read Kubmech 's posting on this problem (7/15/04). He explained that the increased resistance in starting circuit as the parts aged caused a decreased voltage to reach the starter solenoid. When this voltage decreased enough, the solenoid did not have enough current to engage. His solution was to install a low voltage relay which would engage and allow full voltage from the battery to engage the starter solenoid. Use of John Deere part AM107421 was recommended (Approx $18). Since I had tried almost everything else (and didn't want to have to send the tractor back to the dealer) I bought the part and installed it. Tractor had sat for about a week and started on first try. The part has been installed for over a week and the tractor has not failed to start on the first try. Installation is easy, it is almost as if this part was made for installation on a Kubota. Wires from low voltage relay plug right into the Kubota solenoid terminals and wire from ignition switch. (See Kubmech 's posting for detailed installation instructions). If you have this starting problem and cleaning the battery cable clamps, ground, battery terminals and your battery is good, I would suggest trying this part. The most you can be out is about $20. Wish I had read this posting earlier, it would have saved me about $350. Thank you Kubmech

B2400 starting problem finally solved

 

[Cub 7274]

this also works...simple fix.