slammer302 2,154 #1 Posted March 22, 2014 I just got home with a 314-8 and tried to start it up and the two black wires off the ignition switch started smoking and melting I believe the prong is marked G some help would be great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,907 #2 Posted March 22, 2014 (edited) What year is your 314-8? Edited March 22, 2014 by rmaynard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #3 Posted March 22, 2014 1996 I believe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #4 Posted March 22, 2014 The only thing I'm seeing with two black wires running to it is the starter solenoid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,907 #5 Posted March 22, 2014 I'm looking for a wiring diagram. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,907 #6 Posted March 22, 2014 (edited) Both black wires are connected to ground. So your problem is originating on another leg of the switch, In order to have a meltdown such as yours, there has to be a dead short somewhere. Since I have no experience with any of that series, I am going to have to allow someone else to try to help you. The best thing I can tell you until then is to download the demystification guide from the manuals section and look at the wiring diagram for your tractor on page 7-54. Edited March 22, 2014 by rmaynard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,130 #7 Posted March 22, 2014 First thing I would look at is the switch itself. Replace that if it at all looks suspect. You could have a loose or shorting connection inside it. Replace the damaged wiring (and any other wiring that looks damaged) and then try again. Have a inspection of all wiring and terminals over the whole tractor. this series of tractors are notorious for bad connections due to age and weathering. Eventually you will need to spend more time fixing bad connections, so better to do it as a whole now instead of melting and/or burning more stuff.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #8 Posted March 22, 2014 When I bought it they said it needed a new key switch I had a couple so I put one on and this is what happened Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #9 Posted March 22, 2014 I don't think they have ever washed this thing I'm blowing it off now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,949 #10 Posted March 22, 2014 Don't know if this helps but on a truck I worked on once the main ground was loose. When someone tried to start it the entire starter circuit grounded through the puny little body ground wires and burned them. On another note, A car with a loose main ground arced at the loose connection and the spark jumped to the clutch cable and burned it in half. Check your main ground cable!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,028 #11 Posted March 22, 2014 Did you put the right switch in?? the plugs are the same but not all switches are is that a Magnum engine? if so you need a magneto switch, if it's a K series engine you need a batt ign. switch, 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,907 #12 Posted March 22, 2014 There is supposed to be a 25 amp fuse in the main 12 volt circuit, so if you had a melt-down, I suspect you might find that the fuse has been jumpered. I don't know how good you are with a meter, but a simple tracing of the circuit is fairly easy. What Kelly said about having the correct switch is very important. That is why I asked about the year. The 1996 has an M14 engine with a magneto. It requires a different switch than the ones with battery ignition. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #13 Posted March 22, 2014 When I bought it they said it needed a new key switch I had a couple so I put one on and this is what happened Sounds to me like you used the wrong switch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #14 Posted March 22, 2014 I think you guys are right and the fuse was jumped I'm pulling the wiring harness out and I will go get the right switch monday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #15 Posted March 22, 2014 Im not used to anything this new and the sad part is its not really new Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chazm 412 #16 Posted March 22, 2014 Slammer- pull the battery & lower dash panel to gain access to the wiring. Look at the harness closely around the steering shaft ... that's where my 314-8 was rubbing at You may want to get a new ign switch plug harness as well... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #17 Posted March 22, 2014 Yeah my plug is shot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #18 Posted March 23, 2014 Well I got the harness out fixed any spots that looked bad and bought a ignition switch for magnetos and went ahead and got a new starter solenoid to I'm going to hook it all back up in a little while I will keep u guys posted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #19 Posted March 23, 2014 I ran the numbers its a 1997 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hm12460 53 #20 Posted March 23, 2014 Always best, when replacing ignition switches, is to pay the money and get the proper oem switch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,503 #21 Posted March 23, 2014 Both of these manuals have a wiring diagram Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #22 Posted March 23, 2014 I got it running Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #23 Posted March 23, 2014 Runs good and the deck is awesome 48inchs of grass murdering awesomeness 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chazm 412 #24 Posted March 23, 2014 Lov it when a plan comes together..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,028 #25 Posted March 23, 2014 glad it was a simple fix Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
