F-525, Where do I start?

[JazzDad]

Does anyone have any preliminary advice to get me started? I inherited a 1992 John Deere F525 last Saturday. It has good voltage at the battery (confirmed by jumping the starter and getting it to crank). But the blue wire to the starter solenoid only has 1 volt to it when the starter switch it engaged. I can hear one of the relays click, but think there may be a bad connection somewhere (hence the voltage drop). I also do not have any spark, but have not torn into the engine enough to know if it has an excited coil, or is a magneto. (I think it's a magneto.) I know this may be multiple problems. I may have to go to the JD dealer to buy the manual. The manual is $125! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
(The unit was owned by a brother-in-law who ran it til it quit and left it in a field for a year. Besides the electrical problem(s) I have dealt with a bit of rust and seizing). I've also posted this in the Lawn & Garden section of TBN, so more eyes may viwe it.
Thank you. Bret

 

[rugs]

JazzDad--

I have a '96 F525. Forgive me for asking, but are you sure the mower is ready to start? (all the interlocks satisfied?) You need:

1) to be in the seat
2) electric PTO switch OFF (yellow button pushed down)
3) brake ON (pedal on the right pushed down 'til it locks)
4) parking brake lever pushed to LOCK

I have the operator's maual (not shop manual) if any info from it would be of use to you....

 

[rugs]

Hmmm... now that I think of it, you can *start* an F525 if you're not in the seat, as long as conditions 2-4 are satisfied. Mower will stop if you're not in the seat and you release the brake or engage the PTO.

 

[JazzDad]

Thanks, rugs. I may have bit off more than I can chew. The B-I-L disconnected or removed some of the safety switches. I have tried to reconnect or temporarily jump them back. I have the operator's manual, but again, thanks for that offer of assistance. I need to find all the related connections and look for some corrosion. I will post a resolution, or look for my ad offering it for sale!

 

[rugs]

Jazz--

I'd be happy to take some photos of wiring/switches, etc. on my F525 if this would be of help... let me know by private mail. These mowers are actually pretty good units, as long as you don't have lots of hills.