Engine L108 dies under load, must turn ingition off before restart

[jreineri]

I have a JD L108 lawn tractor.

Until recently it has worked perfectly. This problem started occurring suddenly not gradually.

It bogs down in heavy grass and usually dies.
Cranking the motor will not restart the engine.
Turn the ignition all the way off, the cranking the motor will restart the engine immediately.
Then it will run fine until bogged down again.

Visual inspection revealed broken wire harness that is anchored to the frame directly below the oil drain.
I have not figured out where the wires are supposed to attach.
Also, while suspicious, I cannot be 100% certain that the wires are the cause of the problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Jim

 

[Retiredcarguy]

Glad that you found it!
When you can, open the harness and let us know the wire color.
Was the wire cut or broken in the insulation?

The need to switch off ignition for restart may be just in the starter safety relay sequence for the seat, PTO, etc.
Just a thought.

 

[Nwatson99]

I would also trace the wires and make sure there is no cut insulation or exposed wiring and I also concur with RCG I also think it is part of the safety circuit where you have to turn the key on/off to get it to start.
Check your oil and you must check it before each use, it almost sounds like the low oil circuit might be shutting it down when it is under a load and if the oil level is low a load can cause this with the engine.
Just our of curiosity how heavy is your heavy grass, two week or more growth?

 

[jreineri]

Glad that you found it!
When you can, open the harness and let us know the wire color.
Was the wire cut or broken in the insulation?

The need to switch off ignition for restart may be just in the starter safety relay sequence for the seat, PTO, etc.
Just a thought.

No, the wires appear to be pulled out of where ever they were connected. I still have not figured out where they go.
The wires are white and black.

 

[jreineri]

I would also trace the wires and make sure there is no cut insulation or exposed wiring and I also concur with RCG I also think it is part of the safety circuit where you have to turn the key on/off to get it to start.
Check your oil and you must check it before each use, it almost sounds like the low oil circuit might be shutting it down when it is under a load and if the oil level is low a load can cause this with the engine.
Just our of curiosity how heavy is your heavy grass, two week or more growth?

Yes, two week growth. Biggest problem when going thru heavy grass and clippings from previous pass.
The oil level was at the low end of range, right at the add line. I changed the oil. But, have not done any mowing since then. Hmmmm.... wonder if that already fixed it? But, that still leaves a mystery of what the broken wires are. They could be for the lights, that wiring is a mess since right side lamp housing fell out.

 

[Carscw]

Does the tractor have head lights and do the work?
I have seen white and black go to lights.

Thinking black is ground.
A lot if mowers use green as ground.

 

[Carscw]

Guess next time I will read all the comments before asking a question.

 

[Nwatson99]

Yes, two week growth. Biggest problem when going thru heavy grass and clippings from previous pass.
The oil level was at the low end of range, right at the add line. I changed the oil. But, have not done any mowing since then. Hmmmm.... wonder if that already fixed it? But, that still leaves a mystery of what the broken wires are. They could be for the lights, that wiring is a mess since right side lamp housing fell out.

With the new technology and auto low oil shut off never operate a mower with the dip stick at or almost at the add line especially at two week or more old grass, it is best to always keep the oil level at top out or full
Well since knowing your headlight fell out it is a good change those wires are lights, so just turn your swtich over to lights and test the wires with a tester and if hot tape them up good and out of the way.

 

[jreineri]

With the new technology and auto low oil shut off never operate a mower with the dip stick at or almost at the add line especially at two week or more old grass, it is best to always keep the oil level at top out or full
Well since knowing your headlight fell out it is a good change those wires are lights, so just turn your swtich over to lights and test the wires with a tester and if hot tape them up good and out of the way.

Rain and persistent wet conditions have prevented me from mowing since the oil change. I will recheck level and mow as soon as able. Will report back results here. I was not aware of the oil level interlock on the ignition system. Seems like an exceedingly good idea. Thank you for the information.

 

[ILENGINE]

Assuming that your engine has an afterfire solenoid on the carb. On certain fuel solenoids there is a black plastic cap on the end of the plunger that will come loose and get sucked up on the jet, and will shut the fuel off to the engine. when you turn the key of the solenoid releases, and reseats the cap on the end of the plunger. Until it comes off again.