GC1705 Will not Start!

[rider7767]

Well after one year and 167 hours, I have had my first trouble. I was out mowing and shut down to get a drink. I came back out after 10 minutes and no joy. I did the basic trouble shooting and nothing. I am able to jump the starter and it starts and runs fine. I finished my yard today. It will not start with the key. I really want to fix it myself. I trust my work, but I guess I will take it to the dealer since it is under warranty.

 

[ray66v]

Well after one year and 167 hours, I have had my first trouble. I was out mowing and shut down to get a drink. I came back out after 10 minutes and no joy. I did the basic trouble shooting and nothing. I am able to jump the starter and it starts and runs fine. I finished my yard today. It will not start with the key. I really want to fix it myself. I trust my work, but I guess I will take it to the dealer since it is under warranty.

You can start by checking all the safety switches.

Check the levers to make sure they are in the proper position. It's easy to bump one and not realize it.

Then, you can jumper the switches on those items, one at a time to see if it fires. Don't forget the seat switch.

Also check the ignition switch, for a wire broken off the back.

These are the most common failure points.

 

[CalG]

Take it to the dealer ONLY after you have double checked those "forehead slappers".

As mentioned, Safety switches and shifted wires.

If you find the guilty party, call the dealer and tell him/her how much you appreciate the warrantee service, but this time, You have it covered!

 

[rider7767]

You can start by checking all the safety switches.

Check the levers to make sure they are in the proper position. It's easy to bump one and not realize it.

Then, you can jumper the switches on those items, one at a time to see if it fires. Don't forget the seat switch.

Also check the ignition switch, for a wire broken off the back.

These are the most common failure points.

I worked as a Maintenance Warrant Officer in the Army for thirty years. I am tired of working on stuff but I trust my work. Still I paid for the warranty.

 

[CalG]

Value your time!

The shop idiot may just get the better of the deal.

 

[rider7767]

Value your time!

The shop idiot may just get the better of the deal.

We have good Dealer here. They have been in business for over 40 years. They tried to hire me as a mechanic. I was mouthing off about my background. I just retired and he was trying to put me back to work.

 

[ray66v]

I worked as a Maintenance Warrant Officer in the Army for thirty years. I am tired of working on stuff but I trust my work. Still I paid for the warranty.

Suit yourself.

It's certainly worth taking a few minutes to check it over, before calling them.

Keeps you from looking stupid, if you are the cause.

I did my own warranty repairs, wasn't worth the down time to me. Or, the frustration of having to rework their repairs.

 

[rider7767]

Suit yourself.

It's certainly worth taking a few minutes to check it over, before calling them.

Keeps you from looking stupid, if you are the cause.

I did my own warranty repairs, wasn't worth the down time to me. Or, the frustration of having to rework their repairs.

You made the assumption, I haven't already checked it out.

 

[ray66v]

You made the assumption, I haven't already checked it out.

You gave the impression.

 

[rider7767]

You gave the impression.

OK. Have a great day.

 

[AxleHub]

Well after one year and 167 hours, I have had my first trouble. I was out mowing and shut down to get a drink. I came back out after 10 minutes and no joy. I did the basic trouble shooting and nothing. I am able to jump the starter and it starts and runs fine. I finished my yard today. It will not start with the key. I really want to fix it myself. I trust my work, but I guess I will take it to the dealer since it is under warranty.

You stated you could start the engine and finished cutting by jumping the starter so obviously it's not the seat switch or the neutral sensor as some mentioned. I bet you've already guessed it's a bad ignition switch in the far right pole lol.

 

[rider7767]

You stated you could start the engine and finished cutting by jumping the starter so obviously it's not the seat switch or the neutral sensor as some mentioned. I bet you've already guessed it's a bad ignition switch in the far right pole lol.

This is where I am at. I asked my dealer if they would let me do my on warranty work. Their shop is swamped. We are in the middle of farm country. They agreed with out reservation. I did my in-depth trouble shooting yesterday. The dealer was sure it was a safety switch. The seat switch has nothing to do with the starting circuit. It shuts the fuel off. We agree on that. The neutral switch and the PTO switch are in the starting circuit. There are two relays in the starting circuit. The tractor can be jumped at the stater if either of those relays fail to energize. I started by checking the two safety switches and then chased the wire. All good. I pulled the starting switch and made a jumper. The tractor started up perfectly. I took the switch apart to find the starting leg was perfect. I was confused at that point the I look at the spades on the back of the switch. It looks like was not plugged in good from the factory. The tip was melted off. That being said, the dealer ordered me a switch. They told me this was the first one they had ever heard of going bad. I am glad it melted the switch and not the harness.

 

[rider7767]

I also checked the relays by energizing them and checking for continuity between the main legs.

 

[ray66v]

The seat switch has nothing to do with the starting circuit.

I had forgotten that. My mistake.

Hope the starter switch is the problem. It is odd though that it is damaged. There shouldn't be enough current available to it, to do that.

 

[rider7767]

I had forgotten that. My mistake.

Hope the starter switch is the problem. It is odd though that it is damaged. There shouldn't be enough current available to it, to do that.

All of the power for the glow plugs go through the ignition switch. There is no relay for the glow plugs. It wasn't plugged in good from the factory. I will agree this is an odd one.

 

[ray66v]

There is no relay for the glow plugs.

Well, that would do it.

Did they put any dielectric grease on the switch terminals?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

You made the assumption, I haven't already checked it out.

Jumper the neutral, clutch, and seat safety switch or did you check for continuity?

 

[rider7767]

Jumper the neutral, clutch, and seat safety switch or did you check for continuity?

Both. I also made a jumper using starting switch plug. It starts fine. All safety switches work.

 

[rider7767]

Well, that would do it.

Did they put any dielectric grease on the switch terminals?

None at all. I always use it.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Both. I also made a jumper using starting switch plug. It starts fine. All safety switches work.

Fuel lose its prime, or check for water in the fuel filter?