Found a fix for 1554 starting problem.(click, or no noise)

[firstcub]

I love my SLT 1554. I have had it for 2 years and the only thing I ever had wrong with it was a haunting "trouble starting" problem. The problem was one time it would be fine and the next time I would turn the key and it would just click or make no noise at all. I tried different things to fix it and finally just let it go and lived with it. After all it worked most of the time and I didn't want to pay a dealer to fix it since I could use it 95 percent of the time I wanted to.
Well yesterday it wouldn't start. Turn the key and - nothing. I finally got tired of it. I decided I was going fix it once and for all. I started trouble shooting and after a while I came across a little white connector behind the engine. The wires to this connector route up over the dipstick tube (between the tube and the engine) and down the back of the engine. The connector is holding maybe 6 or 8 wires (I'm trying to remember) There was one wire on the corner of the connector (I think it was orange) that was pulling out of the connector. It was not making good contact inside the connector as it was probably barely reaching it's mate wire on the other side of the connector. I pulled apart the connector. Decided not to clean it because I wanted to isolate the "fix" to just that one wire. I re-seated that wire by way of a very technical method known as pushing it further into the connector and snapped the connector closed again.
The tracter fired right up with no hesitation and did so everytime all evening. While I was using it for various jobs. (I started it maybe 10-15 times)

Just wanted to let you all know. Hopefully this will help someone someday.

 

[Redcon1]

I have this problem with my 1046...had to push it back in the garage last night, and I know the battery is good.
I'll track the connector you're talking about and see if any wires are loose. Hopefully, that's my fix too.

 

[firstcub]

I hope so!
That would be a great easy fix for you. If that is the problem... hold the "loose" wire tight into the connector as you snap the connector together. Then wrap some electrical tape very tightly around the bundle of wires right below the connector on the "loose wire" side to prevent the wire from pulling out again.

Let me know if this fixed it for you.

Mine has still been starting great every time. So I am positive that was the problem!

 

[JPPWNY]

Great post firstcub!
I have an SLT1554 that is in it's 4th season, nice tractor.
I'll file this in my memory bank for future reference.

Thanks.

 

[firstcub]

Thank You.

As you can see from my number of posts... I don't usually have a lot to say. But the forum has helped me a couple times. I am glad to be able to return the favor... even if it is just one person that has the same problem that mine had.

BTW... I have been using the tractor much heavier here lately and no more starting problem at all!

Thanks