Problem with G5200 Electrical

[Huntshillhaus Farm]

So I own a G4200 (my parts mower, as the engine exploded one day), and a G5200, my current mowing machine. The other day, while mowing, I backed up against a porch swing hanging from a tree, and it caught under the rear fender when I started moving forward, which, since I was going downhill, actually lifted the entire rear of the mower off the ground! Since I had no wheel contact on the rear (gravity was pulling me downhill, which pulled the swing forward), I shut the blades off, and attempted to dismount, at which point the mower tore free, breaking the corner of the left rear fender off in the process.

I continued mowing the yard, and later, when I let it sit in the shade at idle to cool before shutting it off (another G5200 special feature - overheating), I found that it would not restart. The electrical system has been finicky for a couple of years now, where I have to jump it across the starter every time it has sat for a week, but the ignition switch has still functioned in term of preheating the glowplugs, and being in position for starting. After this assault on the mower's body with the swing, the electrical system acted completely dead, until I moved the wire harness around a bit, after which it VERY weakly emitted a FAINT attempt at clicking, then lapsed back into silence. I assumed that the battery cable was loose or something, so I got out my jump box to try to get it going again, after which, being plugged in, the motor veeerrry sloooowwwly cranked, about once per second or so, and even the clicking was still much more faint than it normally would be.

There was no chance of it starting, and so now I'm dead in the water. I'm wondering if I possibly dislodged a grounding strap during the mishap, but since I don't know where they are, I've not been able to check it. It doesn't seem to be a battery issue, as connecting to the jump box bypasses that, and overrides the weak aspect of it. I suspect a short or something, and it's not a kill switch as far as I can gather, given that the one on the seat has been disconnected for a long time, and even when it's connected, it cranks freely, but won't start.

Any brainy ideas? I'm unfortunately not an electrician, and I do have access to a wiring schematic, which doesn't show where the ground straps are connected - some forum somewhere said it had two.

 

[tpierce]

I wonder if the flexing bodywork didn't pinch and possibly cut a wire. If so, the only way to know would be to pull the bodywork off and inspect. Would be a good time to clean all the dirt and gunk off the hydro pump and frame.

 

[Baby Grand]

HuntG5200,

Welcome to TBN & the very exclusive G-Club.

Firstly, I'd check (replace) the fusible link. a $5, 5 minute repair.

I recommend that you consider your present misfortune an "opportunity" (as we say at work) and take the deck off, as suggested by tpierce.
It's kind of a pain to remove. There are bolts under the rubber foot mats and more bolts under the rear lip.
You'll also need to remove the go pedal.
Lifting the deck off is a lot easier with a second set of hands helping.
Clean all the debris out - you'll be surprised how much crud is stowed in all the nooks & crannies!
Once the deck is off, you can replace the fuel filter right in front of the fuel pump. So you may want to get one before you start work.

We love our G5200, and this is based on several years of hard service. It's really a pleasure to mow with.
That being said, I'll also mention that it's not without its weak points:
Its electrical gear has been the biggest source of down-time. More on that in a bit.
The radiator was choked with debris, causing it to overheat.
The fan/magneto belt is very difficult to replace - you have to remove the driveshaft.
The driveshaft flex coupling is a strange piece of composite that looks way too fragile, even though it's never given me any trouble.
The spline teeth on the driveshaft did wear out and I replaced it - and the belt while I had the old shaft out.

About the electrical failures:
I fused the fusible link (a short section of wire, in the shape of a "U" with a two pole connector, near the starter.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/318652-l5030-panel-dead.html?highlight=#post3852770
I replaced a burned out starter:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/336947-dead-starter-autopsy.html?highlight=starter#post4132816
Just last week I replaced the electric fuel pump:



The overheating problem was solved by an afternoon spent removing and meticulously cleaning the radiator.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-lawn-garden/343265-g5200-cooling-system.html?highlight=radiator#post4217474

I'd start by going to the auto parts store & getting a replacement fusible link.
Swap it out & if that fixes the problem you're only out $5.
If it still won't go, you've got a spare for when it eventually does burn out.

Hope it's something $imple to fix!
Good luck & let us know how you make out.
Jim