Husq turned off while mowing - now it won't start

[TexasDad76]

I was distracted when I turned off my mower (Husqvarna 2754GLS) today. I had the mower engaged (was actively mowing) and I switched off the power using the ignition key. In other words, I forgot to disengage the mower blades before I shut off the mower.

Now the engine won't turn over at all. Not even when it's hooked up to my car's battery.
I checked the battery with a volt meter (an older one), and it registers 11 or 12 volts -- maybe that's low, but it should be doing *something*, at least a clicking noise. Especially when it's receiving active power from a running PT Cruiser!

Anyhow, my best guess is that the clutch (mower blade) is stuck in the "engaged" position -- but how do I disengage it? I don't fully understand the nature of the switch. It's not a button that just sends a signal, but it's also not a simple switch like the choke or the headlight switch, which can obviously be set when the mower is on or off. I think the "clutch engage" is something in-between.

Anyhow, how do I get my mower to run again? How do I make sure the mower blade engage/clutch is fully disengaged?

Thanks,

Matthew

 

[Treemonkey1000]

That is an odd one. First thing is to make sure the seat switch is engaged. Then the direction lever FWD/REV or however it shifts is in neutral by cycling it if you can. You might even disconnect the battery entirely for a moment to see if that resets the solenoid. Not knowing much about those machines I am just shooting in the dark though. Good luck.

 

[TexasDad76]

That is an odd one. First thing is to make sure the seat switch is engaged. Then the direction lever FWD/REV or however it shifts is in neutral by cycling it if you can. You might even disconnect the battery entirely for a moment to see if that resets the solenoid. Not knowing much about those machines I am just shooting in the dark though. Good luck.

Ok -- I looked into it further today.

I cycled the transmission as you describe.

I checked the fuse. I cleaned it (and air dusted the fuse holder) and tested the fuse on my multimeter -- it reads 0 Ohms (=0 resistance =good).

I also checked the battery with my digital multimeter -- it reads 12.57 volts. So the battery looks at least OK. At any rate, there is no reason the battery would up and die with no warning, unless the thing exploded or something (which didn't happen!)

I disconnected the battery for a good 20-25 minutes, to make sure the mower drive solenoid could reset itself.

I reattached the battery, and tried to start it. Still same result! Not even the slightest response when I put the key into the "start" position -- it's almost TOO quiet.

I'm as confused as ever.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

http://www.husqvarna.com/ddoc/HUSO/HUSO2008_USen/HUSO2008_USen_O0802078_.pdf
Page 29 has the electrical schematic. I only see one fuse in there. Then you have the PTO switch and clutch pedal that are part of the circuit. You battery sounds up to snuff. What you might look for next even though it makes no sense is poor connections at the battery terminal ground to chasis. Also with the key off if you can spin the engine manually. The starter may have stuck into the flywheel. If you can thump on the starter a little not too hard that might unjam it if that is the problem. Another thing if you can get to the connector on the wire harness unplug it and plug it back in.

 

[Spindifferent]

Maybe a bad starter/ignition switch or a bad PTO switch?

- Spindifferent

 

[rmorey]

Ok -- I looked into it further today.

I cycled the transmission as you describe.

I checked the fuse. I cleaned it (and air dusted the fuse holder) and tested the fuse on my multimeter -- it reads 0 Ohms (=0 resistance =good).

I also checked the battery with my digital multimeter -- it reads 12.57 volts. So the battery looks at least OK. At any rate, there is no reason the battery would up and die with no warning, unless the thing exploded or something (which didn't happen!)

I disconnected the battery for a good 20-25 minutes, to make sure the mower drive solenoid could reset itself.

I reattached the battery, and tried to start it. Still same result! Not even the slightest response when I put the key into the "start" position -- it's almost TOO quiet.

I'm as confused as ever.

Have you tried cycling the mower on and off, there is a relay or solenoid that needs to be reset. Also, try engaging the mower, turn the key then disengaging the mower.

 

[TexasDad76]

The problem is, the mower won't start at all! I turn the key, and absolutely nothing happens, just the same as if there were no battery present.
But the battery reads 12.57 V.

 

[rmorey]

The problem is, the mower won't start at all! I turn the key, and absolutely nothing happens, just the same as if there were no battery present.
But the battery reads 12.57 V.

I get that, what I'm saying is, engage the mower, turn the key and disengage the mower while the key is turned.

 

[TexasDad76]

I tried this -- it did make a click each time. But the mower still won't start.

 

[Gem99ultra]

One off-the-wall suggestion...

Check the parking brake. I've had my parking brake switch shut down my mower like you describe. It "seemed" to be okay, but it was not. After hitting the brake a couple of times, the switch cleared and all was good in the world.

 

[TexasDad76]

I bypassed/shorted the solenoid with a wrench and was able to start the mower. This means several things:

The battery is OK, the starter is OK, the wiring is OK, enough gas, the parking brake is off, etc.

I mowed with it for a while, then disengaged the PTO and shut it off. Note: It took longer than usual to shut off.

Since bypassing the solenoid doesn't say anything about its health, I took it off and had it tested. Result: It is still good.

So it's looking more and more like there is something in one of the safety systems that's vetoing the starter's electricity.

I've attached the relevant pages from the manual -- the electrical system, wiring, etc.

 

[TexasDad76]

I think I fixed the problem today -- the electric cables (3 wires total) going to the headlights were severed completely! I don't know how this happened. When I spliced them back together, everything started working normally again!

 

[Treemonkey1000]

:thumbsup:

 

[tbek]

I would like to know if anyone ever figured out this problem? I have just had the same thing happen to my mover.

 

[tbek]

When I bypass my solenoid, it turns over but still doesn't start. It acts like a kill switch is off. I have already changed the ignition switch. I dont think my problem is the same, i don't seem to have ant broken wires.

 

[cdaigle430]

When this happens make sure the tractors parking brake is set and your sitting in the seat. As for the severed wires-they can get severed by the hood or because they were touching the muffler. mine got melted but not severed by the muffler.

 

[tractorlady17]

I have a Husq Zero turn mower with a 60 inch cut I bought new in 2015. I have 6-7 acres of property I cut . When I am out for an hour or 2 and then stop the tractor it often times will not restart right away. I try to engage/disengage the safety interlocks on the blade, the brake and the levers with no luck. Sometimes I do this for 5 minutes and then it will restart. Sometimes I have to wait 10 minutes and once overnight. Any ideas on what could be wrong with my Zero turn mower.

 

[not2old]

I had similar problems when my mower was still under warranty. Of course it would start when taken in to the dealer. I got good at jump starting it by bypassing everything. I eventually traced it to a poor connection on one of the control handles, fixing it by pushing/pulling the wire terminal on and off the switch multiple times. Haven't had more problems in over three years.

 

[Cin220]

Is there something special about setting the parking brake that you know of? I agree, brake needs to be set when there's a problem starting. However just setting the brake on mine won't start it all the time. I have to mess with the brake by setting & unsetting, jiggling, etc while trying to start it, until finally something I do makes it start! And I can't figure out what... I've looked at the rod inside and the little wheel how it moves from top to under making it engage and unengage, looks ok. But something is making this happen and it's frustrating, I bought it in 2015. Do you or anyone else have any idea what's happening? Cause to me most of these problems sound the same. Thanks for any advice!!

 

[Gem99ultra]

Is there something special about setting the parking brake that you know of? I agree, brake needs to be set when there's a problem starting. However just setting the brake on mine won't start it all the time. I have to mess with the brake by setting & unsetting, jiggling, etc while trying to start it, until finally something I do makes it start! And I can't figure out what... I've looked at the rod inside and the little wheel how it moves from top to under making it engage and unengage, looks ok. But something is making this happen and it's frustrating, I bought it in 2015. Do you or anyone else have any idea what's happening? Cause to me most of these problems sound the same. Thanks for any advice!!

I think they had a hick-up on their parking brake system. I've also been fooled into thinking that mine wouldn't go either forward nor reverse, even after what I "thought" was releasing the parking brake. The dealer showed me the work-around for that. Just press hard on the brake and side-step it. It seems that the parking brake doesn't completely release if you just gently step on it to release it. No really big deal, but one shouldn't have to do that either.