Need help with a c160 automatic that want start

[CNC 10]

I have been using the horse for the last 3 or 4 months everything worked fine until a few days ago.  I stared it up pulled it outside it started as usual, when I went back a few hours later it would not start ( engine would not turn over,no noise from solenoid nothing). I push the dead horse back into the garage and changed out the solenoid and battery from my other wheel horse ranger. Still nothing so I said must be the 2 safety switches. Pulled them off 

one of the brake switch wires was broken ( that must be the problem!) clean both switches and replaced with new wires. I reinstall everything still nothing. No noise engine will not turn over. Can anyone give me some suggestions 

on what to do next. I hope the ole c160 horse is not ready for the pasture 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,771]

Follow the red wire from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid. It should have power with the ignition switch in the START position.

 

[CNC 10]

Many thanks gwest-ca I will check that out Friday when i get back into the shop

[squonk 44,710]

Everything goes thru the ammeter first. If this was mine that would be the first thing I check. Seen it many times.

[CNC 10]

Many thanks gwest-ca I will check that out Friday when i get back into the shop

You know Squonk I don't know if I wired the ammeter. The glass is broken and it has no needle need to check that! Thanks

[kpinnc 15,876]

5 hours ago, CNC said:

I hope the ole c160 horse is not ready for the pasture 

 

If it is, I live an hour away and have a big pasture... 

[953 nut 62,502]

[Pullstart 68,382]

15 hours ago, squonk said:

Everything goes thru the ammeter first. If this was mine that would be the first thing I check. Seen it many times.

Had this recently with my 1445.  Everything was good, until it wasn’t.

 

 

[Mike'sHorseBarn 3,362]

Electrical problems are the worst.........they can very easily send you on a wild goose chase. Like squonk said check the ammeter. I'd also try bypassing the safety switches. If it starts, you know at least one of them is the issue and can connect them again one at a time until you find the bad one.

[Handy Don 14,818]

3 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

and can connect them again one at a time until you find the bad one. And replace it!

Just helpin’ out. 

[953 nut 62,502]

If your Wheel Horse won’t start with the key, what should you do?

 

Don’t panic, it happens to all of us. Don’t run out and buy a new ignition switch. Don’t rip out the wiring. Don’t loose your mind and give the tractor away because it is dead.

S   Systematic troubleshooting will isolate the cause of the problem.

T   Think about the last thing you did before the problem occurred. Many times we are our own worst enemies.

O   Once you calm down begin searching for the cause.

P   Plan your attack.

One of the most common causes of a “won’t start with the key” is the PTO not being OFF. You may have been mowing and stopped to move something out of the way, get back in the seat and it won’t start        The PTO switch is doing its job and preventing you from starting the engine with the PTO on.

Is your transmission in neutral?  Is your foot on the brake?  These are easy things to overlook.

Is your battery in good condition? A battery in marginal condition may start the engine the first time but not become recharged while using the tractor. Have the battery load tested at an auto parts store.

Are your battery cables in good condition? Corrosion on the cable terminals can act as a huge resistor reducing the amount of voltage reaching the starter or solenoid to the point it will just click. This is also true for the ground cable too. If you hear clicking check for heat on all of the terminals, The one that is causing the problem will be hot due to the voltage drop.

[wallfish 18,652]

On 11/19/2025 at 3:02 PM, CNC said:

Still nothing so I said must be the 2 safety switches. Pulled them off 

What did you do with the wires? Easier to jump the wires than remove safety switches. Battery ignition on a vintage C-160 would need those wires connected together to complete the circuit.

Is there 12v to the small post on the solenoid when the key is turned to the start position?