Cub Cadet 149 Wont Start

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by Gompers

If you’ve got a wire or remote starter switch to jump 12v from the battery to the solenoid you could see if that will spin it over.

If it turns over, that would rule out the solenoid, the solenoid ground, the solenoid load cables and, well pretty much everything aside from the wiring between the switch and the battery and the switch and the solenoid.

If that doesn’t spin over, its more likely the solenoid load cables, since you just replaced the solenoid and it’s unlikely to be the solenoid ground.

Edit:
Forgot to ask, does this tractor still have the safety switches installed/connected? That could be another place to look.

Actually, if a new solenoid was installed there is a good chance it isn't grounding. Again, using jumper wires isn't a definite test. Now, if you use a power probe, it can be, as most have a digital read out that indicates volts like a meter and also has lights to indicate a complete circuit. Bad thing is, as with a meter, it doesn't necessarily indicate a circuit capable of a load.

Personally I use a test light or my power probe before a multimeter. Just because as a general rule, a weak illumination of the light will occur if the circuit is weak. I save the meter for small circuits like sensors and signal wires to a PCM. My favorite is my power probe, as it's 3 tools in one.

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Actually, if a new solenoid was installed there is a good chance it isn't grounding. Again, using jumper wires isn't a definite test. Now, if you use a power probe, it can be, as most have a digital read out that indicates volts like a meter and also has lights to indicate a complete circuit. Bad thing is, as with a meter, it doesn't necessarily indicate a circuit capable of a load.

Personally I use a test light or my power probe before a multimeter. Just because as a general rule, a weak illumination of the light will occur if the circuit is weak. I save the meter for small circuits like sensors and signal wires to a PCM. My favorite is my power probe, as it's 3 tools in one.

Doesn’t the solenoid ground through its body to the chassis?
Figure that would be unlikely to be it, but it would definitely match the symptoms!

I don’t like using digital multimeters to test intermittent stuff like this because its hard to see the voltage reading move around and know if that’s from the circuit or just noise from probes moving or averaging from the sampling rate or whatnot. After all, multimeters are designed to show the current level and not the level over time. That’s what an o-scope is for.

A nice power probe would be very useful and some of the fancy ones I’ve seen actually have little graphs on them to help eliminate that problem. If I did this stuff for a living I’d definitely snag one to help save some time.

[R Bedell]

Lets let the OP do some checking. He has been given some very good and concrete information. We can speculate and discuss different ways of doing things, but now is the time for him to do something.

[countywacker]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm hopefully going to dig into it this weekend when I'm off.

[Chad126]

To second what has already been said, if you could benefit from one, I would highly recommend a new harness from this guy http://www.mikescubcadets.com/wiring-harnesses/

Very pleased with the one he sent me.

[countywacker]

Originally Posted by Chad126

To second what has already been said, if you could benefit from one, I would highly recommend a new harness from this guy http://www.mikescubcadets.com/wiring-harnesses/

Very pleased with the one he sent me.

I'm keeping that in mind for a spring overhaul project.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by countywacker

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm hopefully going to dig into it this weekend when I'm off.

You work 24 hours a day, 5 days a week?
That must suck.....

[countywacker]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You work 24 hours a day, 5 days a week?
That must suck.....

10 days on with 4 days off every other weekend with mostly 13 hour days on rotating shifts. So with that and family obligations doesn't leave much time to play tractor. Besides, once I start a project I like to finish it as soon as possible and not let it sit.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by countywacker

10 days on with 4 days off every other weekend with mostly 13 hour days on rotating shifts.

Yep. That sucks.

Just curious what you do that you work like that?

[countywacker]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Yep. That sucks.

Just curious what you do that you work like that?

Public Safety Communications, which is also my primary hobby. You guys have garages full of tractors and I have garages full of radio equipment I just cant part with...lol

But all seriousness I've had my 149 for the past several years and I enjoy tinkering with it more and more. So I'm quickly trying to absorb all the knowledge I can.