Wheel Horse 1987 312-8 Clutch/Brake Interlock Switch

[dandawg 1]

I have a 1987 Wheel Horse 312-8 that appears to have a bad Clutch/Brake Interlock Switch. It will not start and the clutch light is the one showing when the key is turned to start and nothing happens. Apparently that switch is open I believe and bad. Can anyone tell me where this switch is and how to get at. In other words which side of the unit and does anything need to be removed to replace it. Also I would assume I could jump this out (to permanently close the switch temporarily) or apply positive voltage from the battery to the solenoid terminal to start it. Is this assumption correct? If anyone knows, please reply. Thanks

 

[wallfish 17,604]

Welcome to the forum!

Yes, you can jump the wires to the switch with a paper clip or something to close the circuit and bypass the switch to test it and see if that switch is bad. Not familiar with your model but if you follow the wires you'll find it. I'll take a look at my tractors to see where the switch is located and let you know if no one else has replied with the answer before I get to it.

Edited May 14, 2013 by wallfish

[dcrage 629]

That switch is located behind the sheet metal covering the drive belt from the engine to your transmission that runs next to your right foot -- You can see the back side of it by taking the face plate that shows the positions of your gears as you shift off -- Switch is available (or it was last summer) from Toro

[dandawg 1]

Thank you so much for the reply Dave. I was able to find the switch and jump it out to verify it was bad. I also removed the right side sheet metal cover to see the front of the switch. Wonder if by chance you or anyone knows if the switch can be inserted through the cutout hole from the shift lever side (inside), or does it have to be inserted through the cutout from the outside. The flange is on the outside which is what keeps it in place along with a piece of flexible plastic from the inside. If this is the case it looks like a pulley must be removed to get the switch through the hole. I'm hoping that is not the case as it looks like quite a few parts, seat etc must be removed to get at the pulley. Again, thanks for your quick response!

[dcrage 629]

It has been 10+ years since I put a new drive belt on -- Doesn't that pulley move when you depress the clutch -- Something is moving across the switch to depress it when the clutch is moved

[dandawg 1]

Dave,

You are correct that the pulley moves forward but there is a peice of metal attached toward the back of the pully that keeps the switch closed when the pedal is depressed as the pulley actually goes by it when it moves forward. Therefore the pulley is in the way when the pedal is not depressed and the piece of metal is in the way when the pedal is depressed. I will be getting the part tomorrow or most likely Monday so I won't know if it can be put through the cutout from the inside holding it diagonally until I have the part to try it and remove the original switch.

[dandawg 1]

Just for future reference I WAS able to get the old switch out and the new one in from the outside by kind of forcing it at an angle into the rectangluar hole WITHOUT taking off the seat, fenders, pulley, etc. This saved quite alot of work!

[Tankman 3,520]

Just for future reference I WAS able to get the old switch out and the new one in from the outside by kind of forcing it at an angle into the rectangluar hole WITHOUT taking off the seat, fenders, pulley, etc. This saved quite alot of work!

Another success news flash.

 

See, Wheel Horses are engineered to work and service!