[seanmmcc]

I have a 3185, B&S Vanguard, 1989 and haven't had great luck with it. Soon after purchase the shaft seal started leaking and had to be replaced. They also looked at the PTO that kept turning off, sometimes only a few seconds, sometimes it would run for 10 min before cutting off, other times the PTO wouldn't engage at all.

The issue seems to be electrical to me. I had the headlights on tonight and noticed they would flicker or shut off when the PTO stopped working. Sometimes pulling the PTO switch would make the lights come on but not the PTO itself. Sometimes the switch would do not thing.

I will dig up what has been replaced on the PTO to date, ex: switches but now think there is maybe a grounding, or intermittent power issue, or battery. I'm dont have alot of faith in the shop that has been working on my tractor right now so would really appreciate some input.

Any thoughts on how best to troubleshoot or where to look next would be a big help.

Thanks

Sean