Parasitic draw

I

Illini Pete

Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2026
Messages
12
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
 
Are you sure you didn’t hook up the battery backwards? Common mistake.
 
Rivets said:
Are you sure you didn’t hook up the battery backwards? Common mistake.
Click to expand...
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
 
Solenoid mounted to starter, or separate(remote), I believe.
 
Mark H_NO said:
Solenoid mounted to starter, or separate(remote), I believe.
Click to expand...
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
 
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.
 
Mark H_NO said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
No way a remote solenoid can feed to starter except when activated; unless, its defective. It is like a light switch when it is not activated it is an open circuit. Even when it is shorted the starter should try to turn.

And should be no other wire on the starter side the solenoid other than the large cable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top