1641 PTO won't engage
 

I originally asked this as a follow up on a different thread but I'm not sure if anyone saw it, so here goes...

I have a 1641 and when I flip the switch to engage the PTO, it makes a clicking noise and the battery light comes on. Does anyone know if this is a problem with the battery (checks 12.53V on multimeter), charging system, or is the PTO bad? Before I try to tackle any repair, I'd like to solicit the collective wisdom of this group or else I'll end up over my head, then loading it onto a trailer and taking it to the nearest reputable dealer and that is a haul.

Thanks!

"Usually"......a clicking noise or sound, indicates a bad electrical connection ...somewhere.

Did you trace your wires within the PTO circuit to see if anything looks suspicious...???

What do you have for voltage at WOT without the PTO turned on? You should see 13.5-14.5 volts. The Vanguards don’t have the greatest charging system and I have seen the light come on on most of them when you flip the PTO on. Now if the voltage is good with the PTO off and it won’t turn on well then something else is wrong.

Thanks again for the help. I just put our baby to bed and his room is above the garage, so I won't be running the tractor tonight, but when I get home from work tomorrow I'll trace the circuit and check those voltages.

Stay tuned :beerchug:

just checked it
 

Voltage at battery, PTO off, WOT - 12.2 V
WOT, PTO On - it fluctuates between 10.2 and 11.5V After about five seconds, the PTO did engage.

Visual inspection of wires doesn't reveal any obvious fraying. I unplugged the PTO wire down by the oil drain and checked there, 20V on the live side with the engine at WOT. I am not very confident with electrical stuff, so I'm very appreciative of the advice.

Thanks!

Also for giggles, I checked resistance on the PTO side of that plug (engine off) and it was 3.1 ohms, if that is useful information....

There is a charging system issue somewhere. As Sam Mac stated, there should be 13.5-14.5 volts at the battery, with the PTO on, and WOT. I'm not sure how you would get 20V at the PTO..... because you shouldn't get anywhere near that. You need to check the charging system. The PTO likes voltage, and I would say it's dropping below the threshold that it needs to stay engaged. I am not familiar enough with that particular machine to tell you where to test, and I looked through the info we have on this site and can't find anything that would help on that specific machine. Off hand, I would start by checking the power and grounds at the V-regulator/ rectifier. I'm sorry I can't be more help, but it is a voltage issue!

Ditto.........:ThumbsUp:

I am dealing with the same issue, when it happens I plug the 1863 into the battery charger and shazaam it works perfectly... Just my :TwoCents:

Rainy day here, but I finally have time to get back into the garage and try more troubleshooting. Been cleaning up every electrical contact I can get to and checking again for frayed wiring or chafed insulation. To my untrained eye, nothing looks out of sorts.

Given my untrained eye, I'd like to clarify a couple of things:
1. Where is the alternator? The manual I have suggests the starter is also the alternator? Didn't make sense to me. I thought it was the starter given the big wire going back to the block by the battery.

2. On the right side of the engine (just above the starter/alternator thingymabob) is a square piece of aluminum with a green plastic cover inside and two yellow wires going out to a plug at the engine tin. Is this the voltage rectifier or regulator? How do I test this? I didn't get any readings on the multimeter when I unplugged it.

Thank you for suffering* my questions :beerchug:

*Edit from Ipad autocorrect

I am guessing both of you have a low battery voltage problem. High enough to start the engine, not high enough to keep the PTO on. I don't know what that voltage requirement is though.

Low battery voltage? Bad battery or charging system malfunction as noted above.

1.) The alternator is located behind the flywheel. It is NOT incorporated with the starter.

2.) This picture shows the voltage reg/rec. It's #20 in the pic. (Click on the word "this" it will take you to the page on parts tree.)

Attachment 39491

I have no idea what the thing is you are describing in #2.....

The regulator/ rectifier needs to have a good base ground. Look here, Roland has a nice diagram that will help. This is not for your model of cadet, but the system works the same way. The wiring may be different, but I doubt it. Check the reg for B+ on one of the terminals key on, engine off. If it has battery voltage, your good. Start the engine and check the same wire again, should have 13.6V-14.6V on it. If not, OHM the stator. (Use Rolands specs, should be close enough.) If ok, replace the V. Reg.

If the B+ wire on the V. Reg is putting out 13.6V-14.6V, then your issue is in the wiring. Start tracing. :beerchug:

Great success!

I went back and checked those items, voltages were close to spec. Started tracing again and decided to give every contact, ground, and coupling a really thorough clean (talking toothpicks and qtips). Fire it back up, PTO engages, no amp light, 13.48v at the battery at WOT. There might still be an issue with the charging system, but for now I can at least mow again. There might still be some grime I missed behind the dashboard too? I'm not the original owner and this machine was somewhat neglected in the previous life.

To echo the sentiment from another thread, you guys rock. Thank you so much for all the coaching, and suffering my noobie questions :beerchug:

Like Sam Mac said, the charging system on these are a little on the weak side. 13.4 is close enough. Great news! :beerchug: