PT-422 Robin Starter

Skalini · Sep 9, 2010

I purchased this PT-422 this summer and its been a great tractor until the starter started acting up. If I jump the selenoid I can start it but my question is why is the selenoid acting up and can i lube it or fix it. When I jumped the battery it started. Could it just be the battery? I haven't tried that. What a trick it is to work on the engine that is stuffed in a cavity.

ponytug · Sep 10, 2010

If jumping the battery fixes your problem, I would look into the battery first. Here would be my list of things to do in order;

A) Have you check the voltage on the battery?
If the battery is low, several things could be the problem;

The battery cables are loose or dirty. Clean, tighten, and coat with anti-corrosion spray.(Consider adding extra ground points.)
The battery could be defective.
The alternator could have a loose connection. Check the voltage while running and wiggle the wires.
The alternator could be bad. (Check the voltage when running.)

B)If the battery isn't low, and jumping solves the problem, I would suspect that the connection to the is the problem. Same routine; disconnect the battery, clean the connections, spray with corrosion inhibitor and tighten.

It is also possible that the key switch is dirty/bad. I have had to clean mine on my 1445 a few times with contact cleaner. I'm about ready to get a new marine grade sealed one, but it works 95% of the time.

I hope that this helps.

All the best,

Peter

Skalini said:
I purchased this PT-422 this summer and its been a great tractor until the starter started acting up. If I jump the selenoid I can start it but my question is why is the selenoid acting up and can i lube it or fix it. When I jumped the battery it started. Could it just be the battery? I haven't tried that. What a trick it is to work on the engine that is stuffed in a cavity.

cqaigy2 · Sep 11, 2010

Nice post Peter.
Short sweet to the point.
I had a similar problem with my PT, one time a loose battery cable and also a sick key switch.

J_J · Sep 11, 2010

Take a cable from the 12v plus side of the battery, and touch the starter start terminal and see if the engine will turn over. This bypasses the switch and wiring, and gives indication of a good battery or not.