185 starting issues

[burhead]

I have a 185 that I have been mowing with for a month or so. It has recently been having starting issues. It would start fine when cold but not when hot. Now it wont turn over at all. Battery has 12.8v and relay is clicking when the key is turned. I checked all the visible connections by removing the hood. I only get about 10 volts to the post on the starter. Is there a way to jump directly to the battery to rule out the tractors wiring as the culprit? Is there a way to test the starter before I take it somewhere to have it rebuilt? I tried to get to the relay under the dash but haven't had any luck getting the steering wheel off. It is currently soaking in pb blaster. I just need this tractor to mow a couple more times to get me through this year. This winter it is getting torn down and fixed up. Thanks for any help.

[Eugene]

Battery is located adjacent to the right fender. Remove the lid to access the battery.

Solenoid clicking is usually associated with either corroded battery terminals and cable ends, or weak battery.

Voltage drop test. Multimeter connected across battery terminals, DC volts setting. Attempt to start tractor. If the battery voltage drops below 9 or 9.5 volts - weak battery.

[burhead]

voltage across battery terminals while key is turned to start is around 11.2 -11.4.

[Eugene]

Thinking. 1.4 voltage drop between battery and starter. 10 volts should crank the starter. Amperage loss, some place?

Question. Did you clean up the connection between the negative ground cable and the sheet metal? A good solution is to move the end to the tractor frame or transmission. Test: Heavy duty jumper cable from negative battery terminal to good clean solid location, but not any of the tractor's sheet metal. Then try to start tractor.

[burhead]

Tried following the ground but it has been moved from the factory location and it is tough to follow. I will try a set of jumper cables from the battery neg to the chassis. I did tighten up several connections on the starter/generator but no joy.

[outdoors4evr]

Keep working on the wiring. Clean up the connections so they are bright and shiny.
You can have the battery and the starter/generator tested at a shop that rebuilds them.

[Todd81]

I am also having the same problem currently

[Mikecub154]

If you want to bypass the eccentrically system put a jumper cable on the positive side of battery and touch it to the post on the starter that has the big cable going to it. Clean the nut first and touch it to that it will spark till u get a good connection be sure to touch the nut not the threads as u may have pull the starter later for rebuild and this test may mess up the threads!