Won't start, need help

[Ryre]

I have a 1996 Cub Cadet 7275. I have had no problems with it starting. Went to start it today to put my 3pt snowblower on it and it just clicked. Battery seems to be fine. Headlights torn on, etc. I played with the rear and mid pto levers to make sure the safety switches were engaged. They seemed to be fine. While turning the key to start I moved each lever and there was an audible click when I put them in the off position. I did the same with the shifter, putting it in neutral to start. I havent used the tractor in about 3 weeks, and it worked perfectly fine then. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Cub 7274]

You probably need this relay

 

[K5lwq]

I suspect the battery is too weak. If you have jumper cables maybe try jumping it from another vehicle. If not, take the battery to a auto parts store and have it load tested unless you have the means to load test. Good luck!

 

[CoyPatton]

Check all your connections points for corrosion as well as tightness. Be sure the neg cable frame contact point is clean and tight as well.
Also check the battery under a load test. It sounds like either a bad connection or weak battery.

 

[Jstpssng]

Instead of trying to guess what's wrong, pick up an inexpensive multitester Stalwart Digital Multimeter Tester Volt Amp Ohm Frequency - Walmart.com - Walmart.com. Then, start at your battery (which should be about 12.5 -13.3 volts) and work your way outward, testing the current at all points which other posters have already suggested.

These are handy tools you can pick one up for under $15. I have several around because I didn't have one with me when I was trying to find a problem.

 

[hube2]

...While turning the key to start I moved each lever and there was an audible click when I put them in the off position...

This is a guess, like others, I cannot hear the click. Can you tell where the click is coming from? Can you tell if it is the starter solenoid? This part would look something like this https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/PIEAAOSwbtNfnuHH/s-l640.jpg. Sorry I don't know your tractor and I don't know exactly where to look.

I would probably be able to tell if I could hear the click, starter solenoids make a pretty distinctive sound, but if the solenoid is closing but the starter is not turning then it is likely either the starter or a connection on the starter, bad ground wire or loos connection as someone else suggested. It could also be a bad starter solenoid, but usually if these go bad they stop working and would not usually click.

If you don't find any bad wires then you might have a dead spot in your starter. If you can get to the starter take a hammer and lightly "LIGHTLY" tap the starter housing several times and then try the key again.

 

[Hay Dude]

Check your negative and positive battery cables an the wiring to the starter. Probably a bad ground
“Clicking” usually means not enough voltage

 

[WranglerX]

Bet its battery or battery cable related...... Just guessing battery "seems good" is not a solution to help find the problem... Get cheap multimeter, it can tell you a lot... IF batter goes below about 10 to 10.5 volt when trying to crank over motor battery needs attention....

Dale