ZRT 50 won't start (after running well, then sputtering, and died ...with oil light on)

[jpilk99]

Correct. Should still crank but not start. Just wondering if the pto was engaged at the time it died. And has been overlooked while trying to restart.

PTO was not engaged; (good thought though). And with that, I did pull the PTO knob - heard that solenoid snap/click - so I know it's functioning. But still ZERO sound/activity when I try to start. No bound up starter or anything. I gotta try turning the crank/pulley underneath and confirm if engine is seized, but, having worked on many machines before, I don't think that's the issue. I'd hear the starter Try and move the flywheel but that aint happening. Feels like a switch gave up the ghost, just gotta figure which one. And strange that it was running just fine and then peter'ed out and quit and now, bupkiss.

 

[RandyT]

PTO was not engaged; (good thought though). And with that, I did pull the PTO knob - heard that solenoid snap/click - so I know it's functioning. But still ZERO sound/activity when I try to start. No bound up starter or anything. I gotta try turning the crank/pulley underneath and confirm if engine is seized, but, having worked on many machines before, I don't think that's the issue. I'd hear the starter Try and move the flywheel but that aint happening. Feels like a switch gave up the ghost, just gotta figure which one. And strange that it was running just fine and then peter'ed out and quit and now, bupkiss.

Even with a seized engine you should still hear the starter solenoid try to engage the starter. So that leaves the brake switch and the neutral switches on the levers. Or could also be a relay issue associated with those components. and unfortunately MTD is not well known for having wiring diagrams for their mowers.

 

[jpilk99]

Even with a seized engine you should still hear the starter solenoid try to engage the starter. So that leaves the brake switch and the neutral switches on the levers. Or could also be a relay issue associated with those components. and unfortunately MTD is not well known for having wiring diagrams for their mowers.

Thank you, RandyT. Yea, my gut sank a little when I noticed the "MTD" in the model number tag.... But I can ohm out the switches, one by one, until I find the culprit - or move onto other suspects like bad ground. Again, (last time I'll say it), weird that it was running fine and then died. But, if a switch crapped out ...it crapped out.

 

[thclimer]

Any signs of mice chewing on wires?

 

[RandyT]

@jpilk99 The MTD is nothing new with Cub Cadet since they have owned them since 1981, Which is now owned by Stanley Black and Decker

 

[jpilk99]

Any signs of mice chewing on wires?

Not that I see, but am always on the lookout. Thank you

 

[jpilk99]

@jpilk99 The MTD is nothing new with Cub Cadet since they have owned them since 1981, Which is now owned by Stanley Black and Decker

Ahhh. I just know when I look at machines that people get at Lowes or Home Depot, that are painted green & yellow and say John Deere, or orange and gray and say Husqvarna, but at the end of the day ...theyre MTD...

 

[dodge man]

Any chance it’s the battery? Did you load test the battery?

 

[Richard001]

Having some trouble looking up a Cub Cadet ZRT model.

Are you sure that this is not a RZT ?

Richard

 

[Carl_NH]

Richard - its the RZT 50 with the Kohler KH720 Vertical Twin Engine per the previous post. Per the tag the engine was built in 2012.

It sputtered and died which to me points to fuel..