Well, I have an 04 GTH2548 garden tractor (original owner), I have had some electrical problems in the past (MICE ) but I thought I had those beat. Also recently replaced the drive belt.
Recently I was dragging treetops to the burn pile and after shutting the mower off, it would not restart. Key did nothing. At first I thought it was the starter, so I took it apart and cleaned it really good. Nothing. Then I jumped it bypassing the key start (negative terminal to solenoid) and it starts right up. Then the blades would not come. Wiggled some wires, unhooked everything and tried again, the PTO engages but the blades seemed to pulse when mowing.
I measured the voltage at the regulator and to the white wire I get 5.4 volts key on and 10.86 running. Then the harness off, I get 41 volts AC running to the regulator. I did notice that the regulator is not grounded and some sites saying it should be, it is mounted to the plastic engine shroud something could have been left off in one of the repairs due to mice eating wires. Also only 11.8 volts at a new battery.
I cleaned all the terminals to the ignition and PTO switch and this did not make any difference. The curious thing I noticed is when attaching the + battery terminal (key off) is that I get a slight spark which to me indicates some type of drain?
So I am thinking I have multiple problems.
Bad Regulator,
Bad Switch (safety,key or PTO)
Other parasitic drain?
Any help on running down these problems would be greatly appreciated. I am almost to the point of buying a new one, but a GT for 5 wooded acres ain't cheap!
Recently I was dragging treetops to the burn pile and after shutting the mower off, it would not restart. Key did nothing. At first I thought it was the starter, so I took it apart and cleaned it really good. Nothing. Then I jumped it bypassing the key start (negative terminal to solenoid) and it starts right up. Then the blades would not come. Wiggled some wires, unhooked everything and tried again, the PTO engages but the blades seemed to pulse when mowing.
I measured the voltage at the regulator and to the white wire I get 5.4 volts key on and 10.86 running. Then the harness off, I get 41 volts AC running to the regulator. I did notice that the regulator is not grounded and some sites saying it should be, it is mounted to the plastic engine shroud something could have been left off in one of the repairs due to mice eating wires. Also only 11.8 volts at a new battery.
I cleaned all the terminals to the ignition and PTO switch and this did not make any difference. The curious thing I noticed is when attaching the + battery terminal (key off) is that I get a slight spark which to me indicates some type of drain?
So I am thinking I have multiple problems.
Bad Regulator,
Bad Switch (safety,key or PTO)
Other parasitic drain?
Any help on running down these problems would be greatly appreciated. I am almost to the point of buying a new one, but a GT for 5 wooded acres ain't cheap!