Engine Z-FORCE S 48/Kawasaki FR651V 22HP/Wont start

[lifebeginsafterdeath]

Hi to all & I'm new to the forum. I bought this unit new, as a package deal back in 9/2010. After getting it, i was having problems with it starting up upon turning the key. There was a ritual i was doing in order to get it started. When i turned key on, nothing. Not even a click. After i pulled the knob for the PTO, then the throttle, go around back & engage/disengage the transmission bypass rods, then i would get a click, couple more times & then it would start. Turning the key to the right, it shows 10.3 After reading the manual, not sure really how to tell what is hours & what is battery. I always thought it was showing battery voltage. Took the battery to Advance Auto, it needed charging at which they were kind to do. Put the charged battery back in, nothing. Not even a click. I go thru the ritual & get a couple of clicks but that is it. Now not even a click. I see i have a starter, battery, key switch, charging coil along with ignition coils. I also do see the spark plugs & carb. i am currently doing a tune up to put up for the winter. Would like to get my starting issue rectified. Any suggestions? I'm not employed now, am a DIY guy, so i definitely want to bypass dealer if at all possible. tks

 

[Ric]

Hi to all & I'm new to the forum. I bought this unit new, as a package deal back in 9/2010. After getting it, i was having problems with it starting up upon turning the key. There was a ritual i was doing in order to get it started. When i turned key on, nothing. Not even a click. After i pulled the knob for the PTO, then the throttle, go around back & engage/disengage the transmission bypass rods, then i would get a click, couple more times & then it would start. Turning the key to the right, it shows 10.3 After reading the manual, not sure really how to tell what is hours & what is battery. I always thought it was showing battery voltage. Took the battery to Advance Auto, it needed charging at which they were kind to do. Put the charged battery back in, nothing. Not even a click. I go thru the ritual & get a couple of clicks but that is it. Now not even a click. I see i have a starter, battery, key switch, charging coil along with ignition coils. I also do see the spark plugs & carb. i am currently doing a tune up to put up for the winter. Would like to get my starting issue rectified. Any suggestions? I'm not employed now, am a DIY guy, so i definitely want to bypass dealer if at all possible. tks

It sounds like it may be a safety switch, check the one under the seat. unplug it and plug it back in or you can try running a jumper across the piece you unplug. Then see if it will start. I have the Z Force 48 and mine sometimes does the same thing and that was my problem. Hope it helps.

 

[lifebeginsafterdeath]

Say Ric,

tks. I see 4 terminals that plug together. i took contact cleaner to them but if this doesn't work, do u know which terminals need to be shorted? tks agn. went out & tried it, it was a no go. even got the wife to try it & still wouldn't start. checked the fuse under the seat, i got on, it cranked & then that was it. Oh, my unit has a steering wheel. I think that is what the "S" is for? My father-in -law just stopped by & tried shorting out the solenoid(?) & got it to clicking but that is as far as it would go. I think that is what it is? it's underneath the seat located in the corner towards the back of the mower.

 

[lifebeginsafterdeath]

got it figured out, after taking the safety seat switch off & confirming contacts good on it, i tried starting. Wouldn't hit a lick. As i was looking down the hole where the brake is, i noticed a switch. I pulled the brake out causing the lever to push in towards the seat, wa la, engine started but as i was troubleshooting the seat switch, i think i fried the relay that it goes too. if im off the mower, it still runs. have to use the key to shut it off.