Tiger Cat 2 - Starting Issue (since new)

[Wendol]

Since day one, when endeavoring to start the mower, on first try I get only a click, and on second try turns over and starts immediately. I installed a relay per the dealers instructions, but nothing changed.
Any thoughts on how to correct this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rivets]

Our crystal balls have become very cloudy, due to the recent elections. You are not giving us much info to help you. We have no idea how old this unit is, which engine it has, or if you have done anything to solve the problem besides changing the relay? With out unit model and serial numbers, plus all engine numbers everyone here will just be guessing. My first guess is that there Is a loose or dirty connection. My second guess is that you don’t have the proper size battery. If it is a single cylinder engine, the battery should have a minimum of 300 CCA. If you have a twin, the battery should have a minimum of 350 CCA. If you want more help please provide more info.

 

[Wendol]

Sorry about the lack of info.
Mower: TIGER CAT II STCII-61V-32BV Serial # 8000092
Engine: Vanguard ModelNo./Mfg No. 543777-3222-J1 Serial# 2110138781751

This was purchased a year ago, currently has 27 hours on it (medical issues have limited my mowing)
As stated earlier, the cranking issue has been there since day1, after dealing with it for a couple of months, removed the battery, had the dealer test it, and he said it tested "marginal".
At that time the battery was replaced with the Interstate SP-40 (350 CCA).

Any additional thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ILENGINE]

The click maybe the starter solenoid not completely pulling in the bendix to engage the flywheel. My nephews starter on his 35 Vanguard on his stump grinder does the same thing on occasion since new and he is pushing 700 hours. The first start attempt doesn't allow the starter to fully engage the flywheel and energize the solenoid contacts to spin the starter. Has been an on going issue with that engine and starter setup with no known cure but various shops and Briggs tech support have tried different things over the years without complete success.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

If

Sorry about the lack of info.
Mower: TIGER CAT II STCII-61V-32BV Serial # 8000092
Engine: Vanguard ModelNo./Mfg No. 543777-3222-J1 Serial# 2110138781751

This was purchased a year ago, currently has 27 hours on it (medical issues have limited my mowing)
As stated earlier, the cranking issue has been there since day1, after dealing with it for a couple of months, removed the battery, had the dealer test it, and he said it tested "marginal".
At that time the battery was replaced with the Interstate SP-40 (350 CCA).

Any additional thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

it is under warranty, take it to the dealer.

 

[StarTech]

Strange the engine was made in 2021 so up to dealer if they want to cover an out of base warranty engine. A gray area. Only the dealer knows if the mower has been sitting for two years unused.

 

[Douglas Lee]

Wendol,
You stated the dealer suggested an additional relay. "I installed a relay per the dealers instructions"
Can you provide us with details on that?
Just curious!
Doug Lee
*

 

[StarTech]

Wendol,
You stated the dealer suggested an additional relay. "I installed a relay per the dealers instructions"
Can you provide us with details on that?
Just curious!
Doug Lee
*

That should be like the helper relay that JD used on the Kohler engines that had the solenoid shift starters. Basically it is wired as to provide much shorter trigger wire circuit.

 

[Wendol]

Wendol,
You stated the dealer suggested an additional relay. "I installed a relay per the dealers instructions"
Can you provide us with details on that?
Just curious!
Doug Lee
*

Yes helper/assist relay as StarTech describes.

 

[S854]

Since your issue started “on day one” it may be something as simple as a faulty ground.
I am unfamiliar with Tiger Cat, however, I’ve corrected several “no-start” situations by following the battery ground wire to where it connects to the frame/chassis.

I have a motorcycle that came from the factory where the ground wire connected to the frame through the paint! Cleaned the paint off, cleaned the ground lug and put it back together… even the headlight was brighter after that…