BLOWS FUSE AS SOON AS I TURN SWITCH to "ON"

[hennessey]

I have a 2000 46' Troy Bilt Step Thru garden tractor. Model number 14BV809H063. I have kept it in good condition, it looks 2-3 yrs old. This year I put on new wiring harness, ignition switch, PTO switch, all the safety switches, starter, and battery. As soon as I turn the switch on (before starter position) the fuse burns. It was doing this at the end of last summer. I bypassed the fuse to do the last mowing (it ran and everything worked). It did burn some wires but not all the way through, they were "wrinkly". I know, DUMB, this is why I just replaced all the above. I replaced the PTO at the beginning of last summer. I did not replace the alternator, regulator, or solenoid. It did run before I started this, with the fuse bypassed. The PTO worked also. The fuse that is blowing is in the engine compartment. The fuse back by the battery is OK.

I am a amateur mechanic. I have always done all my work but I am not good with electrical. I have a 7 Function Digital Multimeter (which all Ive ever used for was home wiring). I turned the mower switch to on and then plugged the tester in the fuse holder with the tester set to DCV 20 and it read 12.5. I set it to ACV 200 and it read 26.8. I don't know if this helps, but this is all the electrical testing I've done, although I have inspected all my connections and made sure plugged in properly.

I have not connected the head lights to the harness.

Just to check if anything was working, I held the switch to start and used a wire to by-pass the fuse. I just quickly touched the wires together and the starter did engage. I did not try to start or even let the motor turn all the way over.

I hope you can help.

 

[Rivets]

Start by reading this thread, see if any of this helps, then post back.

Blowing Fuzes while Growing Weeds

 

[hennessey]

I'm not sure what thread you are referring to or how to get to it. I searched "Blowing Fuzes while Growing Weeds" but did not find a thread.

 

[Rivets]

Try this again, I may have posted wrong. It's in General Discussion. Just click on it.

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/general-mower-discussion/17666-blowing-fuzes-while-growing-weeds.html

 

[motoman]

hennessey, the threads in this forum are good. Sounds like a short to ground which is immediately blowing the fuse as the bat tries to deliver its entire charge. If you are new to the VOM try looking for chafed or cut insulation on the thicker (usually red) lines from the starter switch to the various users. Especially where the wires touch metal or ar loose and subject to flapping with vibration. Besides red thick wires, feeders (striped wires) carry current also so look at them. Patience , :thumbsup:

 

[hennessey]

Try this again, I may have posted wrong. It's in General Discussion. Just click on it.

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/general-mower-discussion/17666-blowing-fuzes-while-growing-weeds.html

Thanks Rivets. I went to that post and found my problem. It was the single red wire coming out of the regulator. I just unplugged everything I could see and reconnected one at a time. Believe it or not, this red wire was the last one I reconnected. I was loosing hope. Any hoot, just put on the new one and works like a charm.