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lawn tractor w/ bad starter?

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lawn tractor w/ bad starter? mfreak 05-13-2008
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Posted by mfreak on May 13, 2008, 9:07 am
I have a Murray 12hp, when I turn the key it clicks. I did the
troubleshooting suggested in other threads, but the solenoid is hidden
so it was difficult to short the posts. So instead, I used a heavy
cable, attached one end with a spade terminal to the positive post on
the battery, and touched the other end to the large post with the red
wire on the starter. Current was definately flowing thru the cable,
which got warm. I could see a little sparking when the wire initially
touched, and the point of contact would glow if I left it on there for
more than a quick touch. The starter didn't move or make a sound.

Electrically, that's the same as shorting the solenoid posts right?
Or is there anything else inline betw. the solenoid and starter? I
dont think so, therefore I beleive the starter is fried. Correct? I
just want to verify my results before I spend the $ on a new starter..

Real Goods Solar, Inc.
Posted by ransley on May 13, 2008, 9:29 am
> I have a Murray 12hp, when I turn the key it clicks. =A0I did the
> troubleshooting suggested in other threads, but the solenoid is hidden
> so it was difficult to short the posts. =A0So instead, I used a heavy
> cable, attached one end with a spade terminal to the positive post on
> the battery, and touched the other end to the large post with the red
> wire on the starter. =A0Current was definately flowing thru the cable,
> which got warm. =A0I could see a little sparking when the wire initially
> touched, and the point of contact would glow if I left it on there for
> more than a quick touch. =A0The starter didn't move or make a sound.
>
> Electrically, that's the same as shorting the solenoid posts right?
> Or is there anything else inline betw. the solenoid and starter? =A0I
> dont think so, therefore I beleive the starter is fried. =A0Correct? I
> just want to verify my results before I spend the $ on a new starter..

Its 12v? Battery reads about 12.8v so its fully charged? try jumping
it with your car battery, You could hit the starter while trying to
start it if nothing remove it and see if it works before buying a new
one.

Posted by mfreak on May 13, 2008, 9:31 am
> Its 12v? Battery reads about 12.8v so its fully charged? try jumping
> it with your car battery, You could hit the starter while trying to
> start it if nothing remove it and see if it works before buying a new
> one.

It is 12v, a multimeter shows 12.5 or so. When I turn the key it
drops to about 7v. I have a new battery already, the guy at the shop
was all-too-eager to sell me anything he could, my battery was getting
old anyway so I bought a new one just to rule it out. Same results
with the new battery.

Posted by ransley on May 13, 2008, 9:48 am
> > Its 12v? Battery reads about 12.8v so its fully charged? try jumping
> > it with your car battery, You could hit the starter while trying to
> > start it if nothing remove it and see if it works before buying a new
> > one.
>
> It is 12v, a multimeter shows 12.5 or so. =A0When I turn the key it
> drops to about 7v. =A0I have a new battery already, the guy at the shop
> was all-too-eager to sell me anything he could, my battery was getting
> old anyway so I bought a new one just to rule it out. =A0Same results
> with the new battery.

Dropping to 7v is concerning, maybe pull the starter and see what it
does off the tractor.

Posted by mfreak on May 13, 2008, 12:43 pm
> Dropping to 7v is concerning, maybe pull the starter and see what it
> does off the tractor.

Let me clarify - The OLD battery dropped to 7v when turning the key.
I replaced the battery with a brand new one, I didn't check it to see
if the voltage drops under load.

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