Trouble starting a GC2300 (FYI for everyone)

[EricW]

This has happened to me twice so I thought I would post what happened and the solution for everyone in case someone else has the same issue.

I went to start my tractor and it would not turn over, it was acting like a safety switch was tripped. The dash lights would come on but it would not turn over. I checked the ground and also the fuses. All were fine. Now the interesting part. After putting the fuse (40amp I believe) down by the starter back in the tractor starts up just fine. As I mentioned earlier, this happened twice, the first time was about 2 years ago and then it happened again this week.

I hope this helps anyone that has the same issue as I did.

Eric

 

[frugalangler]

Are you in a humid area? Humidity can cause a oxidation and exercising it scrubs it away. See this frequently on boats

 

[EricW]

Not that bad, I'm in NW Arkansas and the tractor is always kept in the barn. I suppose it can get humid sometimes but it's nowhere near as bad as say Florida.

 

[CalG]

You can tell a lot if the dash lamps dim when the starter is engaged. .. or if the lamps do not dim.....

 

[irvingj]

Good to know.

Is that it, behind the starter and under the alternator, in the little rubber-covered box, with two wires going into it? Can't say that I've ever had occasion to dig there (yet). Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[irvingj]

Took a look in my service manual; turns out the one arrowed in my pic is for the alternator circuit, listed as a 60-amp slow-blow. The starter circuit fuse is mounted near the right side of the battery (and is listed as a 40-amp slow-blow). Which one was it you fiddled with?