Parasitic draw

[Illini Pete]

Hey Y'all, new to this forum but not new to Cub Cadets. My problem is with an LT1050, probably around 20+ years old, hadn't run for 4 or 5 years, so wanted to get her back on the yard. New battery and new starter solenoid and when I went to hook up the neg battery cable, got a spark, with key off. Pulled ignition switch and checked all poles with key in all positions and all checked out OK. Cleaned all socket plugs I could get at and still have a circuit open somewhere. Removed cable attached to starter and no longer a spark when I touched neg ground cable to neg battery terminal. Removed starter motor and bench tested it and all worked fine. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks!
Illini Pete

 

[Rivets]

Are you sure you didn’t hook up the battery backwards? Common mistake.

 

[Illini Pete]

Are you sure you didn’t hook up the battery backwards? Common mistake.

Nope, but I'll check it again to be sure. The length of my cables is such that I don't think I could get them backwards if I tried.
Thanks,
Pete

 

[StarTech]

Piggy back or remote solenoid?

 

[Illini Pete]

Piggy back or remote solenoid?

Afraid I don't understand what you mean?

 

[Mark H_NO]

Solenoid mounted to starter, or separate(remote), I believe.

 

[Illini Pete]

Solenoid mounted to starter, or separate(remote), I believe.

Thanks, I think I could give that a try. I could just run 12V from a battery (+) to the starter terminal and a jumper from the battery (-) to the starter mount bolt and see what happens

 

[Mark H_NO]

If it's a remote solenoid, it's often a more accessible connection than at the starter. 2 big wires at solenoid, 1 is battery, 1 is starter.

 

[Illini Pete]

If it's a remote solenoid, it's often a more accessible connection than at the starter. 2 big wires at solenoid, 1 is battery, 1 is starter.

The solenoid is bolted to the bottom of the battery shelf/tray and the terminals are not reachable without removing the battery and the tray mounting bolts