1641 PTO won't engage

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by EarlJ

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

Originally Posted by superG

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.

Thanks!

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.

[J-Mech]

SuperG;

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 stuffing my questions

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.)

1641.jpg

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.

[superG]

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

[J-Mech]

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