Grasshopper 725DT won't start, crank, or click. Suggestions?

[RidgePerson]

Our Grasshopper 725 DT has worked well until. . . now. When the key is turned it won't start. Won't crank. Won't click. I've more than double checked that the bars are in the correct position, pto is NOT engaged, I'm sitting firmly in the seat, etc. There is nothing that should be keeping it from starting. I actually replaced the battery. I don't see any connections or wiring that would suggest any problems. Checked fuel, all filters, and fuses. Any suggestions? I really need to get this machine working. And thanks ahead of time.

 

[slomo]

I actually replaced the battery.

With an old one? Borrowed from a friend?

Was it LOAD tested?

Do you have mice around your crib?

 

[Rivets]

This is the procedure I use. Report back with your findings and we’ll work from there.

Electrical problems can be very easy or very difficult, depending on four things.

1. How well you understand basic electricity.
2. What tools you have and know how to use.
3. How well you follow directions.
4. You don't overlook or assume anything and verify everything.

Remember we cannot see what you are doing. You are our eyes, ears and fingers in solving this problem. You must be as accurate as you can when you report back. The two basic tools we will ask you to use are a test light and a multi-meter. If you have an assistant when going through these tests it would be very helpful. These steps work the best when done in order, so please don't jump around. Now let's solve this problem.

First, check the fuse(s), check battery connections for corrosion (clean if necessary) and voltage - above 12.5 volts should be good. Check and make sure the chassis ground is clean and tight.
Second, check for power from the battery to one of the large terminals on the solenoid. One of the wires is connected directly to the battery and has power all the time so one of the large terminals should light a test light or show 12 volts on a meter at all times.
Third, check for power at the small terminal of the solenoid while depressing the clutch/brake pedal and holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch). If your solenoid is a four wire solenoid, check both small wire terminals as one is ground and the other is power from the ignition switch. If your solenoid is a three wire solenoid, make sure the solenoid body is not corroded where it bolts to the chassis of the mower as this is your ground path back to the battery. If in doubt, remove the solenoid and clean the mounting area down to bare metal. If there is no power to the small terminal then your problem is most likely a safety switch, ignition switch or in the wiring.
Fourth, check for power on the other large terminal of the solenoid while holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch).
Fifth, check for power at the starter while holding the key in the start position (assistant again).
Sixth, check your ground circuit back to the battery.

After you have gone through each of the above steps, let us know what happened when you did each step. At that point we will have great info to tell you how to proceed. Remember you are our eyes, ears, and fingers, so please be as accurate as possible.

Be as specific as possible with voltage readings as this will help diagnose your problem quicker. If you do not know how to perform the above checks, just ask and I will try to guide you through it. Youtube also has some videos and as you know a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[RidgePerson]

With an old one? Borrowed from a friend?

Was it LOAD tested?

Do you have mice around your crib?

Brand new battery and was checked.

Mice? Sure, however, checked wires, etc. No indication of wires being chewed or nests/pee/poo anywhere in or around engine or machine.

 

[Rivets]

Was the procedure I posted too difficult for you? If so I’ll try to find one that is a little easier to understand in my files.

 

[RidgePerson]

With an old one? Borrowed from a friend?

Was it LOAD tested?

Do you have mice around your crib?

With an old one? Borrowed from a friend?

Was it LOAD tested?

Do you have mice around your crib?

First off, Rivets, thank you for your reply. I had to step away from this. . ah . . . project for some others that had to be done first.

Was the procedure I posted too difficult for you? If so I’ll try to find one that is a little easier to understand in my files.

Hi Rivets
First off, thank you for your reply. I had to step away from this . . ah. . project for some others that had to be done first. Now I'm back and looking forward to solving this mystery. I am green, but have spent my life looking over the shoulder of my husband who is a very knowledgeable tech and "machinery" guy. I do have a test light and multimeter. As our weather is rather above Hot, and our machine shed is not air conditioned, it may be a day or two before I report back. Also, totally agree with the "picture worth a thousand words" and have found a few nicely done, useful youtubes. With your help, and that of others, I am looking forward to figuring this out and getting the Grasshopper up doing its usual great work. And thank you.

 

[RidgePerson]

Hi Rivets,
Finally back. I found a couple of youtubes that seemed pretty common sense and clearly stated and filmed.

so with your suggestions and those of these gentlemen, I took my courage in hand and began the journey. Today I checked the battery with the multimeter and it read 12.74v. Next I removed the negative (black) cable from the battery. Then removed one of the side panels from the engine area of the Grasshopper 725dt. It has a Kubota 902-e4 engine. Following suggestions here and from the youtubes, I removed the power cable (in this case it is a black covered cable, but is the power cable) that runs from the started solenoid to the starter. Next, I made sure that all of the safety items were properly in place. That is, the bars were full out. The PTO was Off. And I was sitting firmly in the seat. This machine does NOT require that the a brake, parking or otherwise, be depressed. So no worries about that item. This engine has a 3 pole starter solenoid (on a Mitsubishi 16824-63014 Starter) I placed the test light probe on the pole where the power (red cable) from the battery is attached to the starter solenoid. Sitting in the seat, I turned the switch on and the test light lit up. The youtubers said this indicates that the starter solenoid is receiving the 12+ volts from the battery. Next I placed the test light probe on the lower (non-power cable) pole (sorry, I haven't heard anyone mention what that one is called.) Sitting in the seat and turning the key, the test light lit up. The youtubers said this indicates that all of the safeties switches are working properly. Next was moving the test light to the pole where the power cable which transfers the power from the solenoid to the starter would be attached. Sitting in the seat and turning the key. . . . no light. Went back through all of that to double check what I had done. From what you have mentioned and from the youtubes, that would seem to indicate that the starter solenoid has failed. Would you concur?
If that is the case I would tend to go with an OEM. I know the price is substantial, but given that the Grasshopper seems to continue to carry a pretty solid reputation (and this one is just 9 years old and has only been mowing our approximately 3 acre area), it would seem a good thing to use a part that also has a good reputation. Thoughts on that? One of the places that I've look at is https://www.dieselpartsdirect.com/ku1682463014 Anyone have any experience with these folks? What do you think?

 

[Auto Doc's]

This favors a blown main power fuse or it corroded in the fuse holder.