Relay switch seems to keep Failing

[LD1]

You can do a relay test yourself with a simple set of jumpers and a volt-ohm meter.

If you look on the bottom of the relay, you will see either 4 or 5 terminals. Numbered 85, 86, 87, 30, and if it has a 5th, 87A.

87A is probably not used for the starting circuit.

What you do is put 12v to the 85 and 86 terminals. Which one you hook to positive and which one to negative dont matter. You should hear/feel a little click inside. Now the 12v to 85 and 86, set your meter to ohms. You should show 0 ohms (or very little ohms) of resistance between 87 and 30. That means the relay is fine. 30 would be the input of 12v when on the tractor, and 87 would be the output when the relay is "switched" by applying the 12v to 85 and 86.

87A is a normally closed contact that not all relays have. That would be used if you wanted 12V power and then when the relay is switched on, the power goes away and to 87, which is normally open.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for helping out guys. I have been outside all afternoon washing one of the decks to get it ready for painting. And I am bushed.

Here is some more diagram.

 

[k0ua]

If the starter relay is not energized the most likely culprit is the key switch itself, as they are notorious for failure, especially if they get any water in them. But it still could be other things..as you can see yourself on the schematic. Yes it could be the relay still, but in 40+ years of doing this, I have learned about a fella named Murphey. and if it aint one thing it is two. Sure it could be the simple solution, but sometimes life hands you a raw deal, and it is multiple things. I guess I am a "glass half empty" kind of guy. But lets do the simple stuff first..test that relay.

 

[kioti pup]

If the starter relay is not energized the most likely culprit is the key switch itself, as they are notorious for failure, especially if they get any water in them. But it still could be other things..as you can see yourself on the schematic. Yes it could be the relay still, but in 40+ years of doing this, I have learned about a fella named Murphey. and if it aint one thing it is two. Sure it could be the simple solution, but sometimes life hands you a raw deal, and it is multiple things. I guess I am a "glass half empty" kind of guy. But lets do the simple stuff first..test that relay.

Thanks for everyone's help! I did swap out the relay but that didn't help. My father-in-law is a electrician and he's going to be here in a few weeks. I'm going to let him fool with it. The diagrams will come in handy. These electrical problems can be so frustrating! Things will work one minute and not the next. I'll get back to you when I get it running again. :thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

IF you swapped relays then that likely aint your issue.

I'd be looking at the key switch as others have mentioned if it is a known issue.

 

[k0ua]

IF you swapped relays then that likely aint your issue.

I'd be looking at the key switch as others have mentioned if it is a known issue.

A lot of guys have complained that the key switch will get rain water in it and stop the whole tractor. I had mine give intermittent trouble a couple of times.. and I sprayed it with Fluid Film inside, and Never had another problem with it. That was about 150 hours and a year ago. Disclaimer, my tractor doesn't sit out in the rain anymore either. But it is a well known, well reported problem. Several of the guys have just taken the key switch apart, cleaned and lubed it and went on with life also.

James K0UA

 

[murphy1244]

A lot of guys have complained that the key switch will get rain water in it and stop the whole tractor. I had mine give intermittent trouble a couple of times.. and I sprayed it with Fluid Film inside, and Never had another problem with it. That was about 150 hours and a year ago. Disclaimer, my tractor doesn't sit out in the rain anymore either. But it is a well known, well reported problem. Several of the guys have just taken the key switch apart, cleaned and lubed it and went on with life also.

James K0UA

I said that in post #2 and another one is Battery ground Cable. I know not following the flow chart but it happens to us Kioti owners

 

[k0ua]

I said that in post #2 and another one is Battery ground Cable. I know not following the flow chart but it happens to us Kioti owners

Yes, those two things are the "biggies" it seems

 

[Dave M7040]

One small part that is often overlooked when dealing with multiple relay failures is the Flyback diode.
When the coil inside a starter solenoid is activated or deactivated it generates a high voltage pulse of electricity called, in technical terms, ``back EMF or electromotive force.``
Manufacturers in recent years have provided a diode to bleed off this voltage so that nothing else is damaged. Usually the damage is done to a small relay used to activate the starter solenoid.
The biggest challenge is finding the diode in the wiring harness. Youtube will have lots of examples on testing diodes.
The first image is a small portion of the Kioti wiring diagram showing the diode.
The second image if from a Kohler powered zero turn mower also showing the diode.
Hope this may give you one more thing to check out.

Dave M7040

 

[k0ua]

Yeah, I know what those diodes are, but I sure as heck don't know Where they are. Logically it would be on the coil of the relay, but I am not sure if thats where they are or they are in the harness somewhere.