Scag Wildcat tries to start when key switch is in the run position?

Motor turns over when key is in the run position. It started when the electric clutch went out. I replaced the electric clutch. I mowed some with it then the clutch stopped working. when I tried to start it, it cranked in the run position. I replaced the switch and switch relay. Didn't help. I took the starter off and had it worked on. I also replaced the wiring harness and the control module. I put the starter on. And the motor still cranks when the switch is in the run position. I dont know if the wires are crossed. Any suggestions? Does the power feed to the selenoid when the switch is turned to the start position? It looks like somehow it is sending power through a wrong wire when the switch is in run position. i replaced the engine with as close of a match as I could about four years ago. it was the same engine CV750 Kohler. The wiring was a little different. It has worked fine until the clutch went out. i checked all the safety switches.

You said you replaced the key switch, are you sure you used the proper switch? Many switches look alike, but you must check the terminals and make sure the old switch and the new switch have the terminals in the same location. They are labeled.

Rivets said:

You said you replaced the key switch, are you sure you used the proper switch? Many switches look alike, but you must check the terminals and make sure the old switch and the new switch have the terminals in the same location. They are labeled.

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I found that the wire going to the fuel selenoid had shorted out. I replaced that wire. Then I found that the two wires going to the electric clutch had been rubbed by the belt. One wire was completely into. I fixed that and tried to keep the two wires away from the belt. It is not a good way that this has been designed. Looks like that happens quite often. Thanks Rivets.

bbtaylo212 said:

I found that the wire going to the fuel selenoid had shorted out. I replaced that wire. Then I found that the two wires going to the electric clutch had been rubbed by the belt. One wire was completely into. I fixed that and tried to keep the two wires away from the belt. It is not a good way that this has been designed. Looks like that happens quite often. Thanks Rivets.

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I would not say this happens quite often, more like rarely.

Are you indicating it's now fixed???


Reason I ask is what you mention that you found with the fuel solenoid and PTO wiring does not appear logically to cause a starter solenoid to energize in run position of the correct ignition switch.

Have to agree that would be rare failure and fix.

Yes, my Scag is fixed. I was referring to the two wires running up through a small opening to the wiring harness connector that get broken or rubbed into. If you Google PTO electric clutch problems, there are several videos about those two wires getting compromised for various reasons. I dont know why the wire going to the fuel selenoid shorted out. Before running a new wire to the fuel selenoid, if it was connected to power, the starter would crank. The blue wire on the wiring diagram seems to split and feed to the fuel selenoid and then to the starter selenoid. I may have shorted it out when I used a screwdriver at the starter selenoid to see if the motor would crank. Anyhow, unless I could show what went down, it is hard for me to communicate or describe. I learned much about how all this wiring works. Thanks for trying to help me. I am mowing with the Scag again. All the safety switches are working and the switch is working correctly and the blades come on and go off the way they are supposed to.