Hello. I have a no start issue with my Husqvarna YTH21K46. I've read tons of threads on this board but haven't come across this exact situation. Maybe my google-fu just isn't that strong. I have been following Rivets' EXCELLENT troubleshooting steps but am still hung up.
I've confirmed the battery is charged (12.8V on my multi-meter) and all connections are good/clean/tight. I'm reading just about the same voltage at the starter solenoid on the large terminal (it's a 4 post solenoid, for reference). I'm also getting power to the small white wire when I turn the key - THE FIRST TIME. If I turn the key a second time I get nothing. I'm using a test light for this and the first time I turn the key it triggers the light but then nothing on subsequent tests. I hear a tiny "click" but nothing like what you hear with a dead battery, just a faint solitary "click". Also, I've noticed that the digital hour read-out on the dash will light up the first time but not the second time I turn the key. If I disconnect the battery and wait a bit, I can repeat these steps but not without disconnecting and waiting. I also happened to have a spare ignition switch and tried both but get the same results.
For some background, the mower has been covered but outside for the past year or so and was dead. Wife said I needed to either fix it or sell it. I replaced the starter solenoid but that was my bad diagnosis and didn't fix the problem. After more studying on here, I traced it down to the starter. I put in a new one, sprayed some starter fluid, and got it running in no time. Mice had infested this thing pretty bad though. They didn't build a condo - they built a full on amusement park under the engine cover. Needless to say, this thing was nasty and it stunk... real bad. I gave it a deep, deep cleaning and this is where I went wrong because after the bath, oil change, and new fuel filter it won't start now. I know water and electronics don't mix but I couldn't sit on this thing with that mouse smell and had water all over this thing. I've checked all the wires and connections but can't see anywhere that the mice ate any wiring but perhaps I'm still missing a break/short.
So the spa day definitely killed something, I just can't figure out what. I've gone through all connectors I could find, opened them up, sprayed some WD40 in there and let them dry out a bit before re-connecting. I've also replaced the fuse (not blown, just as a precaution). Now instead of having a nasty dead mower in the backyard I've got a clean dead mower in the driveway. Any help y'all can provide would be greatly appreciated!
I've confirmed the battery is charged (12.8V on my multi-meter) and all connections are good/clean/tight. I'm reading just about the same voltage at the starter solenoid on the large terminal (it's a 4 post solenoid, for reference). I'm also getting power to the small white wire when I turn the key - THE FIRST TIME. If I turn the key a second time I get nothing. I'm using a test light for this and the first time I turn the key it triggers the light but then nothing on subsequent tests. I hear a tiny "click" but nothing like what you hear with a dead battery, just a faint solitary "click". Also, I've noticed that the digital hour read-out on the dash will light up the first time but not the second time I turn the key. If I disconnect the battery and wait a bit, I can repeat these steps but not without disconnecting and waiting. I also happened to have a spare ignition switch and tried both but get the same results.
For some background, the mower has been covered but outside for the past year or so and was dead. Wife said I needed to either fix it or sell it. I replaced the starter solenoid but that was my bad diagnosis and didn't fix the problem. After more studying on here, I traced it down to the starter. I put in a new one, sprayed some starter fluid, and got it running in no time. Mice had infested this thing pretty bad though. They didn't build a condo - they built a full on amusement park under the engine cover. Needless to say, this thing was nasty and it stunk... real bad. I gave it a deep, deep cleaning and this is where I went wrong because after the bath, oil change, and new fuel filter it won't start now. I know water and electronics don't mix but I couldn't sit on this thing with that mouse smell and had water all over this thing. I've checked all the wires and connections but can't see anywhere that the mice ate any wiring but perhaps I'm still missing a break/short.
So the spa day definitely killed something, I just can't figure out what. I've gone through all connectors I could find, opened them up, sprayed some WD40 in there and let them dry out a bit before re-connecting. I've also replaced the fuse (not blown, just as a precaution). Now instead of having a nasty dead mower in the backyard I've got a clean dead mower in the driveway. Any help y'all can provide would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited:
