GT3235 starter won't turn

[CJ-8_Jim]

Started cutting grass, got off seat to save a frog (and seat switch turned tractorr off)

Now starter won't turn over.

What is strange is that the three terminals (2 neg, 1 pos) are all live all the time--even with key off and seat up.

Got any ideas?
(were having a picnic today... Guess we have tall grass)

The two fuses are good.

Jim

 

[CJ-8_Jim]

PS... Starter won't turn as if it's not getting electricity, but like I said, the terminals are all live, all the time (even in key off and seat up which is strange)

 

[jdkalb]

You didn't forget to push the mower button back in before you tried to start up did you? I know it sounds so simple but it has happened to me.

John

 

[OldMachinist]

Yes been there before. Only on me the grandson must have pulled the PTO switch and when the wife went to mow it wouldn't start.

 

[WNYTractorTinkerer]

Shoulda left the frog to die!! (J/K!!) Are you talking about testing the terminal on the Starter and it's live?? If so your starter's all done.. Or- are you talking about the terminals on the "Solenoid" which sends juice over to the starter motor.. You will always have power to one side of the solenoid. When it is 'energized' (by the small wires on the side.. aka-Key switch), it will connect the two large wires thus sending positive power directly to the starter. One way to test the starter is to disengage the PTO and set the parking brake and any other attachments and "jump" from the large live wire to the small white or yellow or green wire on the side of the solenoid and see if the starter goes. If so you've got a wring or connection problem 'up-the-road' and there is where your problem lies.. Start at the key switch and find the wire that energizes ONLY when the key is turned to the "Start" position and trace this wire and test it for voltage at every spot it goes (with the key turned to 'start') until you arrive at & fix the problem.. Sounds easy huh?

 

[CJ-8_Jim]

Here's an update....

- the frog is a live and doing well
- after unsuccessfully fittling/farting around with relays, fuses and an electric tester and then cutting the front 1/2+ acre with a push mower, I went back to the tractor on a whim and it started right up as though nothing ever happened

I know I didn't disengage the mower PTO initially... I'm guessing that was my problem. (This is the first summer owning a lawn tractor... I'm obviously still learning).

Thanks for the tips.

Also.... WNYTractorTinkerer is right, the electric scheme shows the terminals on the starter as being live all the time... that apparently is the starter solenoid which is part of the starter (unlike the Jeep I have which has solenoid separate of the starter).

Thanks for the help!