Cub Cadet RZT 42 clicks and Battery cables melting when trying to start

[tman62]

Cub Cadet RZT 42 clicks and Sarter cable melting when trying to start

I Picked up an RZT 42 with a blown 17 HP kohler engine, I replaced the Engine with no issues.
When I tried to start it for the first time:
Handles in Neutral position, PTO off, braked on, etc. Upon turning the key I can/could hear a click from under the right panel (not the starter) after trying it a half dozen times and getting the same result click, click, click every time on turn the key to start I noticed the wires on the Starter getting REAL hot and melting

Suggestions on what to look for???

 

[ILENGINE]

I would say either the battery cable between the solenoid and the starter is shorted, or the starter itself has a short and is shorting to ground. Check the wires first. Possibly the solenoid is shorted to ground but is very rare, unless the terminal going to the starter is touching bare metal, and shorting out.

 

[tman62]

Re: Cub Cadet RZT 42 clicks and Starter cable melting when trying to start

I Picked up an RZT 42 with a blown 17 HP kohler engine, I replaced the Engine with no issues.
When I tried to start it for the first time:
Handles in Neutral position, PTO off, braked on, etc. Upon turning the key I can/could hear a click from under the right panel (not the starter) after trying it a half dozen times and getting the same result click, click, click every time on turn the key to start I noticed the red wire on the starter getting REAL hot and melting

Suggestions on what to look for???

So, sitting here at work today thinking about the problem, could it be a bad starter on the new Engine? I mean could it have got bound up in shipping. If it is getting hot enough to melt the starter cable then all the safety switches should be working or it would not put juice to the starter.
I guess I could take the starter off and see if it works off the mower or put the old starter from the other Engine on.


thoughts??

 

[tman62]

I would say either the battery cable between the solenoid and the starter is shorted, or the starter itself has a short and is shorting to ground. Check the wires first. Possibly the solenoid is shorted to ground but is very rare, unless the terminal going to the starter is touching bare metal, and shorting out.

thanks ILENGINE, that's what i was thinking sitting here at work today, i will pull the starter off and check it. i can put the old starter on and try it as well.

 

[tman62]

I would say either the battery cable between the solenoid and the starter is shorted, or the starter itself has a short and is shorting to ground. Check the wires first. Possibly the solenoid is shorted to ground but is very rare, unless the terminal going to the starter is touching bare metal, and shorting out.

Well, I got it, it turned out that the starter was missing the insulator washer and causing a short, once I put one on it started.

Thanks for the suggestions.