Mowing ZD21 will not start

[nkbigdog]

I have a Kubota ZD21 mower that will not start. I mean when you turn the switch nothing happens. The gauges do not move, the fuel pump does not click etc. I bought a new battery, new 40 amp fuse and checked the 5 other fuses. Does any body have any ideas on what to try next? Thanks, Jim

 

[KennyV]

Measure the voltage you get all along the path from the + battery terminal all the way to the key switch...
You should have 12+ volts to ground, all the way.

 

[Dave M7040]

I recall another forum member (perhaps on the Orange tractor forum) with a Kubota ZD28F zero turn with starting problems. His machine has a combination box which seems to be the wiring location where all the safety switches send their signals unlike cheaper mowers where the safety switches are all wired in series. If you have some knowledge I would jump the starter solenoid having first made certain the machine is in park and the blades are off. This would answer the basic question will the machine run. Don't do this if you are not comfortable. Messick's web site called the combination box a controller with part #K311-62510.

I don't know these machines and am only trying to give you some ideas.

Dave M7040

 

[Gary Fowler]

Definitely sounds like a safety switch problem. Just figuring out which one will be a PIA. Build yourself a whole bunch of jumper and start working your way thru them till you find the bad one. Mine has at least 5 of them and one went out while mowing and left me stranded down in the yard so I had to drag it back to the shop till repair man came (it was under warranty) and he went straight to the bad one so I guess that one gave a lot of trouble.

 

[Kubota 2007]

If you replaced the battery with a new, known good one and your not getting any gauges or fuel pump, I would look at the fusable link/ in line fuse(depending model or year) at the starter if that seems ok" not melted or bubbled as if the wire melted" then I would test for power at the large terminal at the starter solenoid,if you have power there head to the fuse's and/or key switch. Safety switchs will remove the starter out of the circut if they were defective. Your not getting power to your accessories,so don't worry about safety switch's until the fuel pump runs and gauges activate. When checking fuse's remove them and look to see if they are good.