YM 1900 Electrical question

familytrees1 · Jul 9, 2005

I have a Yanmar 1900 and recently have been having trouble getting it started. When I turn the ignition to the On position, the indicator lights go on; but when I turn it over to Start, the starter won't crank.
Thought it might have been the battery, but I replaced it this morning with a new one and it does the same thing. All the connections are tight and clean.
I guess my next options are main switch, starter, regulator, and alternator.
Does anyone have any suggestions here about where to start first? Also, although I have a 1900 owner's manual and it shows the regulator, it doesn't show WHERE the regulator goes/is. Can anyone help me with this? I have looked all over my tractor's guts and can't find it.
Thanks for all your help.

Jeff

MarkStewart · Jul 9, 2005

Check your negative battery cable where it is bolted to the frame. Clean connection there. Might look ok, but can still be bad.

mark777 · Jul 9, 2005

I agree, it may be a bad ground connection. I would also look at your clutch safety switch to see if it needs adjusting....You can pull the bullet connectors off and jumper them...but be sure the tractor is in neutral. If your handy with a 12V test light, you may find it to be a simple connection/ground problem.

Your regulator should be under the hood on the firewall with wire connectors hooked to the wire loom. If there is a problem with the VR. it should not affect the starter problem....just the charging circuit, especially with a new or fully charged good battery.

I would jumper the positive terminal to the starter lead and pole (with insulated screwdriver). If the starter engages and attempts to start, then your problem is between the ignition switch and starter wiring. If the starter does nothing (no arcing-starting) then the problem is between the battery/starter/fuse panel.

Hope this helps...and good luck,

Mark

1danny · Jul 10, 2005

The VR is under the dash.

Danny

mark777 · Jul 10, 2005

Thanks Danny,

I forgot it was a 1900.

MarkStewart · Jul 13, 2005

Hey Jeff, just curious, did you figure out what the problem was with your tractor?
Thanks

familytrees1 · Jul 14, 2005

Mark,

Honestly, I haven't had the time to go out and work on it. Your suggestions were great and I'm anxious to get out there and try them out, it's just finding the time to do it. I'll keep you posted and thanks for the great suggestions.

Jeff

familytrees1 · Jul 14, 2005

Actually, today I kinda "narrowed the field" a little. I now know one thing that's not the problem . . . it's not the starter switch. I ordered a new starter switch for it a couple of days ago and put it in this evening . . . still does the same thing. One possibility down. I'm gonna try the jumpering idea tomorrow or Saturday and go from there.

normde2001 · Jul 15, 2005

You need to get yourself a volt/ohm meter and do some troubleshooting. Throwing parts at it can get awfully expensive.

familytrees1 · Jul 27, 2005

I finally was able to figure out what my problem was. I pulled the starter off, took it to a place in town that rebuilds starters. $40 and a new set of brushes later, I put the starter back on and she's cranked liked a new one ever since. Thanks for all the suggestions!