Lo Boy 154 starting issue???

[brj8832]

Replaced clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, etc. Got everything back together and when I turned the key the solenoid made ONE click then nothing. When I turn the key to the run position the oil pressure light comes on but is very dim. Every now and then when you turn the key to the start position you can hear REPEATED short clicks from the solenoid. I replaced the battery and solenoid with no change.

I'm thinking this is a grounding issue somewhere? Here's what I've tested so far,12.5v at battery, 12.5v from batt + term. to frame of tractor, 12.5v from batt - term. to solenoid and to key switch, 12.5v from batt + term to body of solenoid where it's bolted to the tractor. ONLY 8.5-9v at solenoid with key in start position! I've already ruled out the clutch and pto safety switches. (I ran a jumper wire directly from the + terminal on the battery to the small terminal on the solenoid) Still just repeated clicking!

This ones got me stumped! Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks

[MiCarl]

Sounds like a bad (or discharged) battery or poor connection somewhere. You need to check all the voltages while trying to crank the starter, working your way from the battery toward the starter:

Battery (+) to battery (-) [terminals on the battery, not the cable clamps]
Battery (+) to battery (-) [cable clamp to cable clamp]
Battery (+) to chassis
Solenoid hot (+) to chassis
Solenoid load (+) to chassis
Starter (+) to chassis

When you see a voltage drop you've identified where a poor connection is.

Alternatively you could check voltage drop across each connection [battery (+) terminal to battery (+) clamp, etc.]. Anywhere you read anything more than tiny voltage is a bad connection.

[brj8832]

Thanks, will check and re-check those connections when I get home. If the solenoid has a good ground wouldn't running a jumper directly from the positive post on the battery to the small terminal on the solenoid make the starter turn over?

[MiCarl]

Thanks, will check and re-check those connections when I get home. If the solenoid has a good ground wouldn't running a jumper directly from the positive post on the battery to the small terminal on the solenoid make the starter turn over?

No

[Eugene]

Move the battery negative cable to the transmission case.

If the starter/generator still doesn't crank the engine over, conduct the voltage drop tests Carl lists.

[SONNY]

I have the same problem on mine, and traced it to bad switch and wires. --the connections get rusty/worn/etc and switch terminals don't get contact.
My ground was already moved when I got the mower. Cant get steering wheel off to get dash off to have room to get in there. Last time I used it , I had to run hotwire from battery to coil, then use jumper cables to starter.--a real pain. thanks; sonny

[BigBill]

My number one 154 had a bad ground. Ringing it out with a ohm meter will tell you where the bad connection is. I did notice on my older number three 154 the battery cables are acid eaten inside them to the solinoid to the battery.

I purchased #4 welding/ battery cable wire on eBay and purchased a bolt cutter pliers and ground the half circles to make a cable crimper the hole is the size of the copper wire.