Electrical question

[Dieselrider]

1977 cub 184 not starting. It fired right up this spring and ran great but, when shut off it now will not restart. First couple times, I tried to restart the click from the magnetic switch sounded delayed and weak and now there is no click at all. However, if I touch a heavy wire from the positive terminal of the battery to the magnetic switch it clicks load and clear.

I have 12 plus volts (can't see the little lines on the volt meter at this stage of life without looking real close) at the battery side of the ignition switch but only 4-5 volts at the ignition or start side when the key is turned to either of those positions. Is there something that would draw that down so much? Checked the clutch safety switch and it opens closes when depressed and released. All wires are connected to the pto switch and it is in the off position.

What are your thoughts? Any of this info give anyone a clue? I would love to rewire the whole thing but, I suppose the wiring harnesses are hard to find and very pricey. Haven't checked with CNH on them as of yet. Thanks.

[Eugene]

Faulty ignition switch.

[Dieselrider]

Faulty ignition switch.

I thought that too Eugene. Put in new switch last night. Same result. Both switches measure good and working properly as far as resistance check when not in tractor. I put the new switch in and have the same 4-5 volts at the ignition and start contacts when key is turned. This has me stumped.

[Gary Dotson]

Your start circuit passes through the PTO switch, maybe it's shorted. Try your voltage test with it disconnected.

[Eugene]

Crap. Lost an entire post.

Basically. Check battery condition. Charge up battery, voltage drop test.

The IPTO clutch switch appears to be the only appliance in both the start and run circuits. That would be the location of my next checks.

[Dieselrider]

Thanks Eugene. I will check that out this morning. Worked on water system for the farm all day yesterday and had no gas in my tank last night to do anything with the cub. Will look at the IPTO switch and circuit this morning.

[Dieselrider]

Just an update on this. The wiring on this machine had been patched so many times I decided to start over and rewire the entire thing. It was really rough. Anyway to make a long story short, after I ran all new wiring, everything is good to go. The only mods made are there is no connector under the dash and the lights do not go through the ignition so, I will have to remember to turn them out if they are used or deal with dead battery when I forget.

At least it starts and runs properly now. Thank you for the input and direction.